Analgesics in Pain Management: A Comprehensive Review

Pain management remains a critical challenge in healthcare, with conventional analgesics often limited by adverse effects and risk of dependence. Medicinal plants have emerged as promising alternatives, offering effective analgesic activity with improved safety profiles. Traditional systems of medicine highlight numerous botanicals with pain-relieving properties, many of which are now validated through modern pharmacological studies. Among them, Mentha piperita (peppermint) is notable for its essential oil constituents, particularly menthol, which modulate pain pathways and provide significant analgesic effects. This review explores the role of medicinal plants in analgesia, emphasizing the therapeutic potential of Mentha piperita.