The Efficacy of Topical Basil Essential Oil on Relieving Migraine Headaches: A Randomized Triple-Blind Study

Abstract

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> Complementary therapies have been increasingly used for the prevention and treatment of migraine so that there is a need for studies in this setting. This study sought to determine the effects of basil essential oil on the severity and frequency of migraine attack headaches. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A triple-blind clinical trial study was performed on 144 patients diagnosed with migraine. Patients were randomly allocated by a stratified method to four groups of 36 titled basil essential oil 2, 4, 6%, and placebo groups. Medications were used topically every 8 h for 3 successive months. In addition, each individual received 325 mg of acetaminophen every 12 h. The severity and frequency of migraine attacks were measured prior to the study, at weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12. The visual analog scale was used to measure pain intensity. The marginal model and generalized estimation equations were used to compare changes in the intensity and frequency of pain over time. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The interaction of the dose and time factors was significant on both pain intensity (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and frequency of attack (<i>p</i> < 0.001). The odds ratio of higher pain intensity and rate ratio of higher frequency of attack in the intervention groups compared to the placebo group were decreased over the study time. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Time lapse and higher doses of basil essential oil would reduce both the intensity and frequency of migraine attacks.

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“…24 Basil essential oil applied topically to the frontal and temporal lobes was shown to reduce migraine pain intensity and attack frequency. 25 Rose essential oil when applied topically to the temporal and forehead relieved the pain intensity of patients with heat migraine syndrome which includes red eyes, photophobia, spicy taste, and facial heat during headaches. 26 Mixed essential oils with a lavender essential oil, grapeseed essential oil, and base oil when applied to the face, forehead, and back of the neck completely eliminated migraine symptoms within 20 days of continual use and showed no reoccurrence within one year.…”

Evidenzbasierte Aromatherapie bei Schmerzen

“…In einer randomisierten und 3-fach verblindeten Studie an 144 Migränepatient*innen (4 Gruppen à 36) und Placebo-Gruppe wurde die topische Anwendung von ätherischem Basilikumöl auf Stirn und Schläfen untersucht 14 . Die Anwendung wurde alle 8 Stunden für 3 Monate durchgeführt.…”

Konsens: 10 Experten – 10 Statements – Wissenschaftlich fundierte Anwendung ätherischer Öle

“…vor. Infektionen 35 , Schlafstörungen, Nervosität, Unruhe, Angst, Depressionen 36 37 38 39 , Übelkeit, Erbrechen 40 , Schmerzen unterschiedlicher Genese 41 42 43 44 45 46 , menopausalem Syndrom 47 , Atemwegserkrankungen 48 .…”