Evidence supporting the use of: Peppermint
For the health condition: Headache (general)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Peppermint oil, particularly in the form of a 10% menthol solution applied topically to the forehead and temples, has scientific support for its use in relieving tension-type headaches. Several randomized, placebo-controlled trials have demonstrated that peppermint oil can significantly reduce headache intensity and symptoms when compared to placebo, and its efficacy can be comparable to standard analgesics such as acetaminophen in mild cases. The primary mechanism is thought to involve menthol, the active component in peppermint oil, which produces a cooling sensation, inhibits muscle contractions, and may improve blood flow in the area of application. Additionally, menthol acts as a counter-irritant, modulating pain signals via activation of cold-sensitive TRPM8 receptors. Systematic reviews and clinical guidelines from several countries recognize topical peppermint oil as a safe and effective non-pharmacological option for tension headache relief, with minimal side effects reported. However, it's important to note that the evidence is strongest for tension-type headaches, and its role in migraine management is less clear. Overall, peppermint oil offers a scientifically validated, accessible, and generally well-tolerated approach for the symptomatic management of tension headaches.

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Other ingredients used for Headache (general)

alpha-pinene
green chiretta
apple
ashwagandha
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bamboo
basil
betel
black cumin
black tea
Indian frankincense
burdock
Cannabis sativa oil
chamomile
cucumber
turmeric
fennel
feverfew
ginger
ginseng
gooseberry
gotu kola
Greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
guayusa
jujube
kudzu
lavender
lemon
licorice root
lovage
magnesium
Mint
Moringa
mustard seed
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phellodendron amurense
purple butterbur root
quail egg
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
rose oil
sage
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
spearmint leaf
Triphala
Watermelon
white willow
zhejiang fritillary
cardamom
capsicum
Indian bael
alpinia galangal
Clerodendrum indicum
ferula assafoetida
Hedychium spicatum
anise
punarnava
commiphora
Tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
Caesalpinia crista
Fumaria parviflora
Rubia cordifolia
peony
Szechuan lovage
Morus
Myrrh
root tuber
silk tree
chrysanthemum
amber
flowering quince
fern
ganoderma
sweetgums
Morinda
birch
Wintergreen
camphor oil
Menthol oil
aster root
Yerba mate
Wood betony
paw paw
indigo leaves
cayenne pepper
soursop
geranium
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
avens
apple cider vinegar
Agastache
alpha-terpineol
ambergris
Ardisia
Angelica
Agrimony
Achyranthes
Abrus
Asarum heterotropoides
Albizia
Aconite
asafoetida
Ajuga
Aerva lanata
Agarwood
American Liverleaf
Anemone
Asam gelugor
Alstonia scholaris
Agrimonia pilosa
Amor seco
Arani
Arisaema
atractylone
betony
black seed
blue flag
Bryonia
blackthorn
Broussonetia
Blepharis
balsam
bayleaf
Butea monosperma
Barleria
bitter grass
bael
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
banyan
Black willow
black salt
black nightshade
Bombax
borassus palm
Buddha\'s hand
Borassus aethiopum
black root
Bassia scoparia
Black Hellebore
balloon flower
Bergenia
bottle gourd
borneol
Camellia sinensis
Chinese silkvine
Cinnamomum
Clary sage
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coriander
Clerodendrum phlomidis
cactus
cinquefoil
citron
carry me seed
Cymbopogon martini
coca
Campylandra fimbriata
Centipeda
corktree
Chaenomeles lagenaria
cannabidiol
calamus
chinatree
Corydalis
Cynodon dactylon
costus
Carthamus
colocynth
cola nut
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
divi-divi
dragonhead
Dichrostachys glomerata
European Elder
Erythropalum scandens
Erodium cicutarium
Evodia
English horsemint
elephant\'s head
Embelia
eugenol
Flueggea suffruticosa
fang-feng
Ficus religiosa
fernbush
Ficus simplicissima
goldthread
Gelsemium
Gnaphalium
Guava
giant blazingstar
Glechoma hederacea
Guaranine
garden cress
Gardenia jasminoides
Galangal
Golden Willow
Heartsease
Homalomena
Hellebore
henna
Herb Robert
Hempnettle
Horsemint
Indian nightshade
iridoids
Indian coraltree
Indian fagonia
joe-pye
Javanese Long Pepper
Kokilaksha
Kukicha
kola nut
lemon balm
Ledebouriella
Lesser speargrass
Lilium polyphyllum
Litsea
linden
lichen
Lophira lanceolata
ligustilides
luffa
Lindera
Lavandin
lotus
Lycopodium
labrador tea
Large-leaved linden
little ironweed
Loranthus
Lysimachia
linalool
Mentha haplocalyx
Mesua
Mezoneuron benthamianum
Mountain Pepper
Mustard
Marjoram
mallow
mace
Malva sylvestris
Matapalo Tree
Methylxanthine
Mountain pride
Momordica
Meadow sage
Microtea debilis
Milkweed
Meadowsweet
Macaranga indica
Nardostachys
Natsudaidai
Nymphaea nouchali
Oroxylum indicum
Osha
Onosma bracteatum
orchid
Osmanthus
Phellodendron
Premna
Piper chaba
pagoda tree
Pulsatilla
Pluchea
prepared aconite tuber
Patchouli oil
Prunus
Petasines
Piper retrofractum
Portulaca
Piper nigrum
Prickly Pear Cactus
Pimpinella
Patrinia
paeoniflorin
poppy
Polygonum
Plectranthus amboinicus
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
rue
Rubus
Rubiaceae
rose
Rubia yunnanensis
robusta coffee
Sophora
Stephania root
Speedwell
Spanish Needle
Scoparia dulcis
Self-Heal
Spikenard
Salicin
Salvia
Sensitive Plant
Snakeroot
Solanum indicum
Southernwood
Sagebrush
Sida cordifolia
Sandalwood
Scabrous Gentian
Semecarpus anacardium
Stereospermum
Stachytarpheta cayennensis
Sumac
Sweet Bay
Storax
Sassafras
Sword Bean
Sweet Orange alcohol
Terminalia
Tulbaghia
Tamarind
Tetrahydropalmatine
Vetiver
Vervain
Viburnum
Verbena
Violet
Wax Gourd
Water Pepper
Willow
Wulinshen
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Willow Bracket
Xanthine
Xanthophyll
Yuzu
Yerba buena
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Zucchini
Zingerone