Comparison Between the Efficacy of Ginger and Sumatriptan in the Ablative Treatment of the Common Migraine

Abstract

Frequency and torment caused by migraines direct patients toward a variety of remedies. Few studies to date have proposed ginger derivates for migraine relief. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of ginger in the ablation of common migraine attack in comparison to sumatriptan therapy. In this double-blinded randomized clinical trial, 100 patients who had acute migraine without aura were randomly allocated to receive either ginger powder or sumatriptan. Time of headache onset, its severity, time interval from headache beginning to taking drug and patient self-estimation about response for five subsequent migraine attacks were recorded by patients. Patients(,) satisfaction from treatment efficacy and their willingness to continue it was also evaluated after 1 month following intervention. Two hours after using either drug, mean headaches severity decreased significantly. Efficacy of ginger powder and sumatriptan was similar. Clinical adverse effects of ginger powder were less than sumatriptan. Patients' satisfaction and willingness to continue did not differ. The effectiveness of ginger powder in the treatment of common migraine attacks is statistically comparable to sumatriptan. Ginger also poses a better side effect profile than sumatriptan.

Recent perspectives on the medicinal potential of ginger

“…Significantly fewer recorded incidences of nausea were reported in the group that received ginger root and was comparable with the placebo in a double-blind, randomized study with 60 women who had major gynecological surgery. 79 Maghbooli et al 80 undertook a comparative-effectiveness trial of ginger (250 mg of ginger rhizome powder) versus sumatriptan (50 mg, a synthetic drug used to treat migraine headache) in 100 adults with common migraine (no aura). Both medications demonstrated a 44% reduction in pain score 2 hours following the treatments, though it is unknown how much of this effect was due to natural history and/or a placebo response.…”

Effect of dietary supplementation of ginger and turmeric rhizomes on ectonucleotidases, adenosine deaminase and acetylcholinesterase activities in synaptosomes from the cerebral cortex of hypertensive rats

“…Recently, Oboh et al (2012) reported ability of ginger rhizomes to inhibit some key enzyme linked with neurodegenerative diseases. Other biological actions of ginger include anti-ulcer, anti-cancer, anti-obesity and anti-migraine properties (Jeena et al, 2014;Maghbooli et al, 2014;Ajayi et al, 2015).…”

Using Brewer’s Yeast and Ginger in the Management of Constipation-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial

“…Ginger was used primarily for it antiemetic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties that have been proven from many previous studies [22]. Furthermore, it was found to improve blood circulation, lower blood cholesterol, and lower blood glucose and treat migraine headaches [23][24][25]. It was found to facilitate digestion, improve bowel motion, decrease nausea and vomiting, and relieve constipation and flatulence [26][27][28][29].…”