Peppermint for Tension Headache

March 18th, 2009

In 1994, German researchers proved that topically applied Peppermint oil relieved tension headache. A second study by the same author was done in 1996 and found that topical Peppermint oil was as effective as Tylenol®.

Both studies were cited by the American Academy of Family Physicians as evidence for safe and effective treatment for tension headache relief*.

Clinical application:

Dilute one drop of therapeutic grade Peppermint oil with one drop of sweet Almond oil or olive oil in your palm.  Apply to the temple area and across the forehead.  Some oil user prefer using Peppermint without dilution however use caution because skin and eye irritation can easily occur.

Other research:

Cephalalgia. 1994 Jun;14(3):228-34; discussion 182.
Effect of peppermint and eucalyptus oil preparations on neurophysiological and experimental algesimetric headache parameters.Göbel H, Schmidt G, Soyka D.
Neurological Clinic, University of Kiel, Germany.

The effects of peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil preparations on neurophysiological, psychological and experimental algesimetric parameters were investigated in 32 healthy subjects in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized cross-over design. Four different test preparations were applied to large areas of the forehead and temples using a small sponge and their effect was evaluated by comparing baseline and treatment measure. The combination of peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil and ethanol increased cognitive performance and had a muscle-relaxing and mentally relaxing effect, but had little influence on pain sensitivity. A significant analgesic effect with a reduction in sensitivity to headache was produced by a combination of peppermint oil and ethanol. The essential plant oil preparations often used in empiric medicine can thus be shown by laboratory tests to exert significant effects on mechanisms associated with the pathophysiology of headache.

*American Family Practice (journal of the American Academy of Physicians) uses the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT), to label key recommendations in clinical review articles. In general, only key recommendations are given a Strength-of-Recommendation grade. Grades are assigned on the basis of the quality and consistency of available evidence.

The German research was ranked as: Evidence category B

Category B means the research evidence is better than case study, observation, consensus, opinion, usual practice or clinical experience.

The evidence categories A (best) and B (better) are based on either:

• At least two randomized controlled studies or systematic reviews / meta analysis
• Cochrane review with a clear recommendation
• USPSTF grade A recommendation
• Clinical evidence rating of benefit
• validated clinical decision rule in a relevant population
• consistent findings from at least two good-guality cohort studies or systematic review / metaanalysis