Evidence supporting the use of: Chamomile
For the health condition: Headache (tension)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla or Chamaemelum nobile) has a long history of traditional use for a variety of ailments, including tension headaches. In many traditional European herbal systems, chamomile was employed as a calming agent and mild sedative, often in the form of teas or compresses. The rationale behind its use for tension headaches relates to its purported muscle-relaxing and anxiolytic effects, which may help relieve the muscle tension and stress commonly associated with this type of headache.

Scientific evidence for chamomile’s efficacy in treating tension headaches is limited. While some laboratory studies have confirmed anti-inflammatory, mild analgesic, and muscle-relaxant properties of chamomile extracts, robust clinical trials specifically examining tension headache relief are lacking. One mechanism of action may be through chamomile’s flavonoids (such as apigenin), which can interact with benzodiazepine receptors in the brain, promoting relaxation. Nonetheless, most of the support for chamomile’s use in tension headaches is based on its longstanding traditional application and anecdotal reports rather than high-quality clinical evidence. Thus, while chamomile is generally considered safe, its effectiveness for tension headaches is best described as traditionally justified, with only modest supporting evidence.

More about chamomile
More about Headache (tension)

Other ingredients used for Headache (tension)

Aconite
Aerva lanata
Agastache
Albizia
alpinia galangal
Amor seco
Anemone
Angelica
Asarum heterotropoides
ashwagandha
aster root
atractylone
avens
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
balsam
bayleaf
black cumin
Black Hellebore
black salt
black seed
Black willow
blackboard tree
blackthorn
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
borneol
Broussonetia
Butea monosperma
cajuput
Camellia sinensis
Campylandra fimbriata
Carthamus
cayenne pepper
Centipeda
chamomile
chickweed
Chinese silkvine
chrysanthemum
cinquefoil
citron
Clerodendrum indicum
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coca
cola nut
commiphora
Corydalis
cucumber
Dichrostachys glomerata
divi-divi
dragonhead
elephant\'s head
Erodium cicutarium
Evodia
fernbush
ferula assafoetida
feverfew
Galangal
Gardenia jasminoides
ginger
Gnaphalium
Greek mountain tea
Hempnettle
henna
Herb Robert
Horsemint
Indian bael
Indian coraltree
Indian fagonia
Indian frankincense
kudzu
labrador tea
Large-leaved linden
lavender
Ledebouriella
lemon
Lesser speargrass
licorice root
ligustilides
linalool
linden
Litsea
Loranthus
lotus
Macaranga indica
magnesium
mallow
Malva sylvestris
Matapalo Tree
Meadowsweet
Mentha haplocalyx
Menthol oil
Moringa
Morning glory
Morus
Mountain mahogany
Mustard
Nardostachys
Nymphaea nouchali
Onosma bracteatum
Osha
Osmanthus
paeoniflorin
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
passionflower
passionflower
peony
Peppermint
Pimpinella
Piper chaba
Plectranthus amboinicus
Pluchea
poppy
Premna
Pulsatilla
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
Rubiaceae
rue
sage
Sagebrush
Salvia
Sandalwood
schizonepeta
Sedanenolide
Self-Heal
Semecarpus anacardium
Sensitive Plant
Sophora
Spanish Needle
Stereospermum
Storax
Sweet Bay
Szechuan lovage
Tamarind
Triphala
turmeric
turmeric
Vervain
Water Pepper
Waterhyssop
Willow
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Wintergreen
Yerba buena
Zingerone

Other health conditions supported by chamomile

Abdominal Pain
Abrasions
Abuse and Trauma
Acid Indigestion
Acne
Addictions (general remedies for)
Afterbirth Pain
Age Spots
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Anger (excessive)
Antibiotics (side effects of)
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Appetite (deficient)
Dyspepsia
Eczema
Enteritis
Epilepsy
Eye Infections
Eye Problems
Eyes (red or itching)
Fever
Fungal Infections
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Halitosis
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Hemorrhoids
Hiatal Hernia
Hiccups
Hysteria
Indigestion
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Insomnia
Irritability
Itching
Itching (rectal)
Itching Ears
Labor and Delivery
Laryngitis
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Lesions
Lupus
Measles
Morning Sickness
Nausea and Vomiting
Nose Bleeds
Perspiration (excessive)
PMS (general)
PMS Type A
PMS Type P
Poison Ivy or Oak
Post Partum Depression
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Rashes and Hives
Restless Dreams
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic
Rosacea
Scratches and Abrasions
Seizures
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Sore Throat
Strep Throat
Stress
Sunburn
Sweat Baths (herbs for)
Teething
Tension
Tickle in Throat
TMJ
Tonsillitis
Adrenal Fatigue
Abscesses
Allergies (respiratory)
Belching
Bites and Stings
Bloodshot Eyes
Boils
Bruises (healing)
Bulimia
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Carbuncles
Bedwetting
Bleeding (external)
Blisters
Burns and Scalds
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (adults)
Colic (children)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cuts
Depression
Dermatitis
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dysmenorrhea
Ear Infection or Earache
Emotional Sensitivity