Medicinal Plants in Migraine Management: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Migraine is a prevalent chronic neurovascular disorder characterised by recurrent episodes of moderate-to-severe headache, frequently accompanied by nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and phonophobia, and it substantially impairs quality of life. Migraine is broadly categorised into migraine with aura and migraine without aura, while diagnosis depends primarily on clinical history, symptom assessment, and the International Classification of Headache Disorders guidelines. Conventional pharmacological therapies, including ergot alkaloids, analgesics, triptans, calcitonin gene-related peptide antagonists, beta-blockers, and antidepressants, are widely used for acute and preventive migraine management. However, prolonged use of these synthetic agents is commonly associated with adverse effects such as gastrointestinal disturbances, cardiovascular complications, dizziness, and medication-overuse headache. This narrative review evaluates the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants and their bioactive phytoconstituents in migraine management. Data were collected from Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Scientific Electronic Library Online, Google Scholar, JSTOR, Springer Link, Oxford University Press, MDPI, and Taylor and Francis Online. The reviewed literature indicates that selected medicinal plants may influence migraine-related pathways through modulation of neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, neurotransmitter imbalance, nociceptive signalling, and vascular dysfunction. Key phytoconstituents discussed include parthenolide from Tanacetum parthenium, petasin and isopetasin from Petasites hybridus, valerenic acid from Valeriana officinalis, linalool from Lavandula angustifolia, and withanolides from Withania somnifera. These compounds are reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, vasorelaxant, and neuromodulatory activities. Overall, medicinal plants may offer complementary, multitargeted options for migraine management. Nevertheless, the limited availability of large-scale, well-controlled clinical trials restricts definitive conclusions regarding their long-term efficacy, safety, dosage standardisation, and integration with conventional therapy.