Background:Migraine is one of the most common and debilitating neurological problems. Although numerous preventive drugs are used to treat migraine, their complications are unavoidable. Application of herbal medicine, especially well-known medicinal plants, to treatment of chronic diseases, like migraine, could be effective. Coriandrum sativum L. (C. sativum) fruit is one of the most commonly prescribed herbs in Persian medicine, which has been used to treat headache.Objectives:This study was designed to evaluate the effects of C. sativum syrup on duration, severity and frequency of migraine.Patients and Methods:A total of 68 migraineurs, who had the eligibility criteria, according to international headache society diagnostic criteria, were randomly assigned to intervention group (n = 34) or control group (n = 34). In addition to 500 mg of sodium valproate per day, in intervention group, they received 15 mL of Coriander fruit syrup and 15 mL of placebo syrup, in control group, three times a day, during a month. The subjects were followed for clinical efficacy at weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4. The number of migraine attacks per week, as well as the duration and severity of attacks, were evaluated.Results:Of 68 patients randomized, 66 were included in analysis. The generalized estimating equations analysis showed that the Coriander fruit syrup decreased duration, severity and frequency of migraine, in the intervention group (P < 0.001). To be more precise, the mean migraine duration, severity and frequency, in the intervention group, were 5.7 hours, 3.65 units and about 50% less than control group, respectively.Conclusions:Results of this study showed that C. sativum fruit is efficient in reduction of the duration and frequency of migraine attacks and in diminishing pain degree.

BackgroundInsomnia is a prevalent disorder leading to psychological problems such as anxiety and depression.MethodsThis study investigates the effect of a combination of herbs (Melissa officinalis L. and Nepeta menthoides Boiss. & Buhse) on anxiety and depression for insomniacs and on insomnia severity. This study is a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total number of 67 participants met the inclusion criteria who were diagnosed as cases of insomnia. The patients were randomized into the herbal treatment or placebo groups. The herbal treatment group received a combination of Melissa officinalis and Nepeta menthoides Boiss. & Buhse. The primary outcomes were insomnia, depression and anxiety. We used per-protocol analysis.ResultsThe all outcomes of herbal treatment were significantly improved compared with placebo in the ISI, BAI and BDI scores after four weeks’ treatment (p value: 0.008, 0.005 and <0.001 respectively).ConclusionA combination of Melissa officinalis L. and Nepeta menthoides Boiss. & Buhse may improve insomnia and its comorbid depression and anxiety.

Context:Headache is a common symptom throughout the world. The main purpose of patient-centered approaches is the utilization of useful and simple treatment. Nowadays, there is a rising propensity toward herbal remedies. Nasal route is one of the ancient and topical prescriptions used in headache. In Iranian traditional medicine, physicians such as Avicenna were prescribing herbal drugs through the nose to treat a variety of central nervous system diseases like headache.In this review paper, authors have attempted to introduce different types of nasal administrations which were used in Iranian traditional medicine for the treatment of headaches.Evidence Acquisition:Initially, we studied two different types of Canon and separated all herbs used in the treatment of headache. Next, all plants were classified according to the method of prescription. Then, we pick out all the plants which were nasally utilized in the treatment of headache and divided them based on the method of administration. In order to find scientific names of herbs, we used two different botany references. Moreover, we conducted various researches in scientific databases with the aim of finding results concerning the analgesic and antinociceptive effects of herbs. Throughout the research, key terms were “analgesic” and “antinociceptive “with the scientific names of all herbs separately. The databases searched included PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane library and SID.Results:35 plants were prescribed for the treatment of headaches, which were all nasally used. These plants took either the form of powder, liquid or gas (steam). They were divided in to six categories according to the method of prescription. The Percentage of usage for each method was as follows: 62% Saoot (nasal drop), 25% Shamoom (smell), 17% Inkabab (vapor), 11% Nafookh (snuff), 11% Nashooq (inhaling) and 2% Bokhoor (smoke).Conclusions:Medications that are used via nasal delivery have greater effect than oral medications. Iranian physicians were fully aware of systemic effects of topical medications, including prescription drugs through the nose. The study of ancient medical texts helps us in identification of herbal medicine and the investigation of new way for the preparation of drugs.

Aims: Among all types of headache, migraine is the third most prevalent disorder and seventh common cause of disability. In Old Persian medical literature, Coriander fruit have been introduced as a treatment of headache. The aim of this study was exploring the effect of Coriander fruit on severity and duration of migraine attacks. Materials & Methods: This randomized triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in the neurology clinic of Shohadaye Tajrish hospital in Tehran. Based on sample size formula for longitudinal data, a total number of 66 patients were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups. Intervention group received common medicine plus Coriander fruit and the control group received common medicine plus placebo and both were followed during four weeks after intervention. For analyzing the data, random effect and transition models were utilized and the results were compared using Akaike criteria. Findings: The average of attacks duration in the intervention group was 4.27 hours less than the control group (p<0.001). Also, mean severity of migraine attacks in the intervention group was 2.81 (based on VAS scale) less than control group (p<0.001). Conclusion: Coriander fruit reduces the duration and severity of migraine attacks. Also, considering the duration and severity of last migraine attacks is necessary for prediction. Keywords Migraine Disorders [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68008881]; Coriandrum [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68028526]; Herbal Medicine [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68029001]

We recommend further examinations of such potentially valuable long-standing resources, examining the diagnoses and treatments as set forth by Persian Medicine through international collaboration within the global scientific community.