The herbal approach for the treatment of migraine

Migraine is a periodic disorder consisting of paroxysmal unilateral headache, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, photophobia and/or phonophobia. A working definition of migraine is benign recurring headache and/or neurological dysfunction usually attended by pain-free interludes and often provoked by stereotyped stimuli. Migraine is more common in females, with a hereditary predisposition towards attacks and the cranial circulatory phenomenon appears to be secondary to a primary central nervous system disorder. Phytomedicine has offered alternative source of therapy for migraine sufferers, and provided some additional information about the pathogenesis of migraine. Feverfew (Tanacetam parthenium) and Butter bur (Petasites hybridus) are some of the plants that have been used for on based on the preclinical and clinical studies. The more intensive research on the plants based medicines in the treatment of migraine (hemicrania) would provide new hope for the development of novel ethno-leads towards the pharmacotherapy of migraine.