• Simon J Davies, Louise M Harding, and Andrew P Baranowski.
• The Pain Management Centre, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, London, UK.
• Clin J Pain. 2002 May 1; 18 (3): 200-2.

BackgroundPostherpetic neuralgia remains a difficult problem to treat. A number of therapies have been shown to be effective, but some patients have intractable pain.PatientThe case of a 76-year-old woman whose pain had been resistant to standard therapies is described. The pattern of quantitative sensory testing results for this patient led the authors to believe that she had an "irritable nociceptor" type of pathophysiology.InterventionThe patient was instructed to apply neat peppermint oil (containing 10% menthol) to her skin, resulting in an almost immediate improvement in her pain. This pain relief persisted for 4-6 hours after application of the oil.ResultsThe patient was successfully treated with topical peppermint oil. During 2 months of follow-up she has had only a minor side effect, with continuing analgesia. The authors believe this is the first evidence of peppermint oil (or menthol) having a strong analgesic effect on neuropathic pain. The possible mechanisms of action of peppermint oil are discussed.

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