title: Chemical composition and therapeutic effects of Lippia alba (Mill.) N. E. Brown leaves hydro-alcoholic extract in patients with migraine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is no universally accepted and effective prophylaxis of migraine headache episodes. Thus we aimed to investigate the effects of Lippia alba (Mill.) N. E. Brown, an herb with many effects on central nervous system, on pain frequency and intensity of migraine patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were enrolled in a prospective, phase 2, non-controlled cohort study to orally receive hydro-alcoholic extract of L. alba leaves. Headache intensity and frequency of episodes were recorded before and after 30-60 days of treatment. We also studied the chemical composition of its essential oil by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We described for the first time a particular L. alba chemotype with geranial and carvenone as major compounds. With treatment, both frequency and intensity of pain episodes significantly decreased from baseline to first reassessment date. More than 80% of patients experienced a minimum 50% reduction on pain intensity and frequency. No side effects were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment with a geranial plus carvenone chemotype of L. alba hydro-alcoholic extract is a cheap, widely available, highly effective therapy to reduce both the intensity and the frequency of headache episodes of migraine patients with no side effects.
authors.affiliation: Reserva EcoCerrado Brasil, Araxá, Brazil.
authors.forename: Raul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Conde
authors.forename: Valéria S C
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Corrêa
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Carmona
authors.forename: Silvia H T
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Contini
authors.forename: Ana M S
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Pereira
mesh_terms: D000080462:Acyclic Monoterpenes; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000081005:Cyclohexane Monoterpenes; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D032411:Lippia / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000737:chemistry; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000080462:Acyclic Monoterpenes; D000081005:Cyclohexane Monoterpenes; D039821:Monoterpenes; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010938:Plant Oils; C006923:carvone; C007076:citral