Effect of lavender essential oil as a prophylactic therapy for migraine: A randomized controlled clinical trial

There is no cure for migraine, but preventive treatments are usually applied to reduce the frequency and severity of headache attacks. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of lavender as a prophylactic therapy for migraine in a randomized controlled clinical trial. This double-blind and placebo-controlled study was conducted over a period of three months. Patients were assessed for migraine impact at the baseline and at the end of the study, using the Migraine Disability Assessment Scores (MIDAS) questionnaire. In the case group, after three months of lavender therapy, the MIDAS score was reduced. The reduction in MIDAS score was significant (P < 0.05), when compared to the baseline and also control group. During the treatment, participants did not report any complaints or side effects. The results of this present study report that the frequency and severity of migraine incidents were reduced in those participants using lavender therapy during the three month trial.