Men's Health Women's Health Senior's Health Antioxidants Sports Nutrition Diet & Weight Loss Vitamins & Minerals Herbs Specialty Supplements Targeted Supplements Spa Products Anti-Aging Basics Body Systems Body Structure Book Store Pet Health My Recommendation My Favorite Articles Our Most Popular Specials Bargain Basement Brands

MSM

Health News Archive 328 - Migraine Headache
<<back to structure/function index

Pycnogenol Pine Tree Bark Helps Treat Migraines

Characterized by “attacks of intense…throbbing headache”, migraine headache affects 10-20% of the world population, with more women affected than men. While several theories have been proposed, the actual cause of migraine headache remains very complex and difficult to understand.

Alternative migraine therapies in the form of butterbur extract, coenzyme Q10, melatonin, and glucosamine have been found effective for some people.  Current drug treatment includes five groups of medications: beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Now a new study has found that pine tree bark pycnogenol may provide an alternative treatment for migraines in adults.

In the study, patients received antioxidant supplementation containing 120 mg of pycnogenol, 60 mg of vitamin C, and 30 IU of vitamin E each day for three months. Each patient then received a neurological examination once per month and filled out a migraine disability assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire. The MIDAS questionnaire consisted of five questions about the number of days of lost or limited productivity in the previous three months involving work, school, household work, and family, social, and leisure activities.

Not only did the researchers find “a significant improvement” in the MIDAS score, there were also “significant reductions” in both the number of headache days and headache severity. Specifically, the average number of headache days was reduced from 44.4 days at the beginning of the study to 26 days at the end of the study. Headache severity was reduced by nearly 27%.

The researchers concluded “antioxidant therapy…may be beneficial in the treatment of migraine possibly reducing headache frequency and severity.”

Source: Chayasirisobhon S. Use of a Pine Bark Extract and Antioxidant Vitamin Combination Product as Therapy for Migraine in Patients Refractory to Pharmacologic Medication. Headache 2006; 46(5): 788-793.

back to top