Huesos Rotos

5-HTP is the immediate precursor to serotonin, which plays a well-established role in migraine pathophysiology. Small clinical trials from the 1970s–1980s showed 5-HTP reduced migraine frequency and severity. One double-blind crossover study (n=31) found 52% favorable response rates at 400 mg/day, and a parallel-group RCT found 5-HTP non-inferior to methysergide for prophylaxis.

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), a potent antioxidant involved in mitochondrial energy metabolism, has been studied for migraine prophylaxis. A 2022 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (n=92 women with episodic migraine, 300 mg BID for 12 weeks) found ALA significantly reduced headache severity, frequency, and HIT-6 scores vs. placebo.

Butterbur root extract (Petadolex®) has the strongest evidence base of any herbal migraine preventive. Multiple RCTs showed significant reductions in migraine frequency, earning a Level A recommendation from both the American Academy of Neurology and American Headache Society in 2012 (later retired over hepatotoxicity concerns with non-PA-free products). The active sesquiterpenes inhibit CGRP release, block L-type calcium channels, and suppress COX-2 and leukotriene production.

Caffeine enhances the analgesic efficacy of aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen for headache and is an FDA-recognized adjuvant in combination headache medications. It acts as an adenosine receptor antagonist, producing vasoconstriction that counteracts migraine-associated vasodilation. All treatment studies in a systematic review found caffeine safe and effective for acute migraine in combination.

Intranasal capsaicin has been evaluated in double-blind trials for cluster headache with positive results, and weaker evidence exists for migraine. The mechanism involves substance P depletion and desensitization of trigeminal nociceptors. Cluster headache has the strongest clinical evidence base.

Intranasal capsaicin has been studied clinically for cluster headaches and migraine, with small controlled and observational trials demonstrating rapid pain relief via substance P depletion and CGRP-mediated desensitization of trigeminal nerve fibers.

Intranasal capsaicin has been evaluated in double-blind controlled trials for cluster headaches with significant results, and weaker evidence supports its use for migraines. Topical capsaicin has also been studied for cluster headache and trigeminal neuralgia. The mechanism involves desensitisation of trigeminal C-fibres.

A randomized double-blind crossover trial in 100 migraine patients found topical chamomile oleogel significantly reduced pain severity on the VAS scale compared to placebo. Chamomile's flavonoids and terpenoids inhibit iNOS, COX-2, and prostaglandin synthesis in neurovascular units, providing a mechanistic basis for migraine pain relief. Traditional Persian medicine has used chamomile oil in sesame for headache relief for centuries.

One prospective study found a 66% reduction in menstrual-cycle-associated headaches and migraines in women taking Vitex daily for three months. The proposed mechanism links prolactin and opioid receptor modulation to menstrual migraine triggers. Evidence is limited to this single study and secondary reporting in PMS RCTs.

Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) has Level C evidence (possibly effective) for migraine prevention per AAN/AHS guidelines. An RCT by Sándor et al. (2005, n=42) showed 300 mg/day reduced migraine frequency by 50% in 47.6% of patients vs. 14.4% on placebo. Mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in migraine pathophysiology and CoQ10 supports mitochondrial energy production.

DHA, a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil, contributes to migraine prophylaxis through anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective mechanisms. Network meta-analyses and RCTs support EPA/DHA combinations for reducing migraine frequency, with high-dose supplementation showing the strongest evidence.

Headache is one of the most recorded symptoms of histamine intolerance and DAO deficiency. Multiple clinical studies link low DAO activity to headache burden, and DAO supplementation has been shown to reduce headache duration in randomized trials. Histamine triggers headache through nitric oxide release and neurogenic inflammation.

EPA is the omega-3 fatty acid most strongly linked to migraine prevention. A 12-week placebo-controlled RCT of 1.8 g/day EPA monotherapy in episodic migraine patients found significant reductions in monthly migraine days, medication use, and severity vs. placebo. A network meta-analysis of 40 RCTs ranked high-dose EPA/DHA as the most effective migraine prophylactic.

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) has been used since antiquity for headache and fever. Multiple randomized controlled trials and a Cochrane review found it reduces migraine attack frequency; a 2025 meta-analysis of 9 RCTs (n=899) showed significant reduction in attack frequency (IV: −1.11). The active compound parthenolide inhibits platelet aggregation and prostaglandin synthesis.

Fish oil, as the primary dietary source of EPA and DHA, has been studied in multiple clinical trials for migraine prevention. Clinical trials show significant reductions in migraine days, attack frequency, and severity with high-dose EPA fish oil supplementation. It reduces neuroinflammatory mediators implicated in migraine pathogenesis.

Gastrodia (Tian Ma) has centuries of traditional use for headache, and this is corroborated by clinical studies and a Frontiers in Neurology meta-analysis of RCTs examining gastrodin for migraine. Nine Pharmacopoeia of the PRC preparations list headache as a primary indication.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been used traditionally in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine for headache. Clinical RCTs show ginger reduces pain in acute migraine; a meta-analysis (pooled N=227) found ginger was associated with higher pain-free rates at 2 hours vs. placebo (RR 1.79). It inhibits prostaglandin synthesis and modulates serotonin receptors.

Ginkgolide B, a terpene constituent of ginkgo biloba, has been studied as a PAF antagonist for migraine prophylaxis, particularly in young patients and women with migraine with aura. Small clinical trials show reductions in attack frequency and aura duration. Evidence is preliminary, with no large RCTs examining ginkgo as a monotherapy.

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and even iron deficiency without anemia (IDWA) are associated with significantly increased prevalence and severity of chronic headaches, including migraine and tension-type headache, particularly in women. A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis quantified this bidirectional relationship, and iron supplementation has been shown in multiple studies to reduce headache frequency and intensity in iron-deficient patients. Proposed mechanisms include disruption of dopaminergic pain modulation and estrogen-driven fluctuations in iron metabolism.

Kudzu has a long TCM history for headache, and a 2009 human case series (Sewell, Headache Journal) found that 69% of 16 cluster headache patients experienced decreased attack intensity, with 56% experiencing decreased frequency. The proposed mechanism involves kudzu's ability to increase cerebral blood flow. Randomized controlled trials have not yet been completed.

Lavender essential oil has been evaluated in clinical trials for migraine. A placebo-controlled RCT of inhaled lavender oil found significant reduction in migraine headache severity and disability (MIDAS) scores after 3 months. It has traditional use in European herbalism for headache and nervous tension.

Magnesium deficiency has been associated with migraine pathophysiology, and oral magnesium supplementation is rated Level B (probably effective) for migraine prevention by the AAN and AHS. Several RCTs support reduced attack frequency with daily supplementation. Intravenous magnesium is also used acutely.

Melatonin has been studied in multiple RCTs for migraine prophylaxis. A double-blind RCT (n=60, 3 mg/night plus propranolol) showed significant reductions in attack frequency, duration, and severity. The 2024 Current Pain and Headache Reports review recommends melatonin weakly for migraineurs with sleep problems, citing very low-certainty evidence.

Topical menthol, particularly 10% solutions, has been evaluated in randomized controlled trials for tension-type headache and shows significant analgesic benefit compared to placebo. The mechanism involves TRPM8 receptor activation producing counterirritation and modulation of pain signaling.

Topical 10% peppermint oil in ethanol significantly reduces tension-type headache intensity within 15 minutes, performing comparably to 1,000 mg acetaminophen in a double-blind RCT. NCCIH acknowledges limited evidence supporting topical peppermint oil for tension headaches.

Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) have emerging strong evidence for migraine prevention. A network meta-analysis of 40 RCTs (n=6,616) found high-dose EPA/DHA displayed highest efficacy and acceptability among all prophylactic treatments studied. EPA/DHA reduce neuroinflammation, CGRP release, and nociceptive sensitivity.

Feverfew has been studied and promoted for tension-type headaches and general head pain in addition to migraine. NCCIH lists it as currently promoted for minor head pain and blood vessel relaxation. The anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory mechanisms that underpin its migraine action also provide a rationale for broader headache relief.

Topically applied peppermint oil (10% in ethanol) has demonstrated significant efficacy for tension-type headache in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial (n=41, p<0.01 vs. placebo). The WHO recognizes its topical use for headache. Menthol, the primary active constituent, produces analgesia via TRPM8 receptor activation and inhibition of serotonin receptors.

Butterbur root (Petasites hybridus) was formerly rated Level A (effective) by the AAN for migraine prevention based on multiple RCTs. A pivotal 4-month RCT (n=245) found 75 mg BID reduced migraine attack frequency by 48% vs. 26% for placebo. Safety concerns about pyrrolizidine alkaloids led to guideline withdrawal in 2016.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs found that Rosa damascena reduces menstruation-related headache as a secondary outcome. Additional RCTs have studied rose aromatherapy for headache associated with anxiety and stress. Traditional medicine across Persian and Ayurvedic traditions documents rose for headaches.

Serratiopeptidase is listed in clinical prescribing references and the AJPCR clinical applications review as indicated for migraine headache and tension headache. Its proposed mechanism involves reduction of inflammatory prostaglandins and bradykinin. However, no dedicated RCTs specifically for headache have been identified in the peer-reviewed literature; use is based on clinical indication listings and anti-inflammatory mechanism extrapolation.

CX is traditionally known as the 'master herb for headaches' in TCM, and this claim is backed by clinical RCTs and mechanistic research. Its bioactive compounds TMP, ferulic acid, and ligustilide have analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions relevant to headache pathophysiology. CX-containing formulas have been shown in clinical trials to reduce headache frequency, duration, and intensity.

A 2020 double-blind RCT (n=88) found valerian root (530 mg/day for 4 weeks) significantly reduced severity, disability, and daily-life impact of tension-type headache compared to placebo (p<0.001). The proposed mechanism involves smooth muscle relaxation of pericranial vessels and GABAergic CNS calming. Evidence is currently limited to tension-type headache; no comparable RCT data exist for other headache types.

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) at 400 mg/day is rated Level B (probably effective) for migraine prevention by the AAN/AHS. A landmark RCT (Schoenen et al., 1998, Neurology) showed 59% of patients achieved >50% migraine day reduction vs. 15% on placebo. It supports mitochondrial energy production, which is impaired in migraine brains.

Willow bark has been formally recognized for headache relief by both the EMA's HMPC and ESCOP, and is listed among principal proposed uses by evidence databases. Its salicylate content provides COX-mediated prostaglandin inhibition analogous to aspirin. Historical use for headaches is documented across multiple ancient civilizations. Clinical research on headache as a standalone endpoint is limited, but the EMA recognition is based on well-documented traditional use.

Neuralgic pain and headaches are among the conditions listed in Himalayan ethnobotanical records for A. spectabilis. The analgesic activity confirmed in preclinical studies provides biological plausibility, and the 2021 review notes that scientific evidence is available for neuralgic pains.

Headache is listed among the ethnopharmacological indications of ajwain in multiple traditional medicine compilations, where it is applied topically (as a paste or via steam inhalation) or taken as a decoction. Traditional Ayurvedic texts reference this use. No clinical trial evidence exists.

Basil is listed in Ayurvedic, European folk, and TCM traditions as a remedy for headaches. A PMC-based folk medicine reference documents its use for headaches alongside nausea and abdominal cramps. The analgesic properties of eugenol provide some pharmacological plausibility.

Biota seed is listed in several TCM and herbal medicine references as a traditional remedy for headache, including by RxList and Healing Waters Clinic. WebMD lists pain (including headache) among the traditional uses of oriental arborvitae. No scientific studies on biota seed for headache have been identified.

Headache relief is listed as a traditional use of black cohosh documented in 19th-century American practice and in the MHRA UK public assessment report on the herb. Black cohosh is also noted to commonly cause headache as a mild side effect. No dedicated clinical trials establish it as an effective headache treatment.

In TCM, B. falcatum (Chai Hu) is prescribed for headaches associated with Shao Yang pattern (temporal/vertex headaches with alternating fever and chills) and those linked to Liver Qi stagnation. It is listed in traditional materia medica for headache and tinnitus. No clinical studies for headache specifically exist.

Cajuput oil is consistently documented in Southeast Asian and Australian Aboriginal traditional medicine for headache relief, applied topically to the forehead or inhaled. The cooling action of 1,8-cineole on nasal TRPM8 receptors and the counter-irritant effect of topical application provide a pharmacological rationale. No clinical trials exist for cajuput specifically in headache.

Indigenous California peoples, including the Yuki, used California poppy root juice externally as a wash for headaches. Multiple ethnobotanical records document this use. Western herbal medicine references (e.g., Bartram's Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine) list migraine and vasomotor headache among its indications. A small homeopathic RCT (homoeopathicjournal.com) reported reduced migraine pain intensity, but this is low-quality evidence in a non-conventional paradigm.

Camphor has a documented history of traditional use for headache relief in South Asian and East Asian folk medicine, typically applied topically to the forehead or inhaled as a vapor. Its counter-irritant and cooling sensory effects are proposed as the mechanism. Clinical evidence is limited to small studies and anecdotal reports; no large controlled trials exist.

Cardamom has traditional use in Ayurvedic and South Asian medicine for headaches, particularly sinus headaches, through inhalation of its volatile oils. Traditional use also includes topical application of cardamom oil and drinking cardamom tea for headache relief. No clinical trial data for this indication are available.

Chrysanthemum is a classic TCM remedy for headaches attributed to 'wind-heat' or 'liver yang rising,' conditions manifesting as throbbing head pain with red eyes or irritability. This use is well-documented in Chinese herbal medicine texts and clinical TCM practice. Human clinical trial evidence specific to chrysanthemum monotherapy for headache is lacking.

Clematis recta and C. vitalba have documented traditional use in European folk medicine for headaches and migraines. Headache is listed among the traditional indications by authoritative herbal references (German Commission E sources; RxList; WebMD monograph). No clinical or rigorous animal studies specifically address the headache indication.

Damiana is traditionally used for relief of headaches in Mexican and Central American herbal medicine. Apigenin, an isolated constituent, has demonstrated analgesic properties in animal models. No clinical studies specifically address headache outcomes.

Devil's Claw is cited in traditional southern African medicine for headaches and neuralgia. Multiple ethnobotanical sources and folk medicine references document this use. No controlled clinical trials have evaluated it specifically for headache relief.

Both American dogwood and Jamaican dogwood have traditional use for headaches. Jamaican dogwood's sedative, antispasmodic, and analgesic properties underpin traditional use for headache and migraine. American dogwood is listed for headaches by RxList and WebMD as a traditional use. No human clinical trials exist for either species.

Dong Quai is recorded in classical TCM texts as treating headaches, including an explicit reference in the Ming Dynasty Compendium of Materia Medica. Its vasodilatory and smooth muscle relaxant properties provide a plausible mechanistic basis. No clinical RCTs specifically evaluating Dong Quai for headache have been identified.

Eucalyptus oil is traditionally used topically and via inhalation for headache relief, particularly for sinus-related headaches, due to its decongestant and cooling action on nasal passages. Its myorelaxant effect, documented by electromyography, and sinus-clearing properties provide mechanistic support. Specific clinical RCT evidence for headache as a primary endpoint is lacking.

Traditional European folk medicine documents the use of elderberry leaf inhalations to relieve headaches. The Natural Standard 2014 systematic review lists headache/migraine among traditional uses of elderberry. No clinical studies have evaluated elderberry for headache as a primary endpoint.

Headache is one of the classically documented traditional uses of Gardenia jasminoides in TCM, folk medicine, and Ayurvedic traditions. It appears consistently across historical texts and pharmacopeial references as an application of Zhizi. No controlled clinical trials examining gardenia for headache as an isolated intervention have been identified.

Fructus Gardeniae is documented in classical TCM texts and modern ethnopharmacological reviews as a traditional treatment for headaches, typically attributed to 'liver fire rising.' This use is recorded in the Shennong Bencao Jing and subsequent materia medica. No clinical trials have been conducted specifically for headache.

Geranium is listed in multiple traditional and clinical aromatherapy sources as a remedy for stress-related headaches. The use is based on its well-documented calming, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. No human RCT has specifically evaluated geranium for headache.

Guarana has longstanding documented traditional use by Amazonian indigenous peoples for treating headaches. The first written record from a 1669 Jesuit expedition documents the Sateré-Mawé people using guarana against headaches. The caffeine content offers a plausible mechanism, as caffeine is a recognized headache remedy, but no dedicated clinical trials on guarana specifically for headaches have been published.

Abalone shell (Shi Jue Ming) is a documented TCM treatment for headaches and migraines, particularly those associated with Liver Yang rising or Liver Fire. It is combined with other herbs such as uncaria and oyster shell in classical formulas for this purpose.

Headache is consistently listed as a traditional indication for H. spicatum rhizome use across Ayurvedic and folk medicine sources. Multiple review articles cite this use, including the 2023 ScienceDirect comprehensive review and the 2018 Rawat systematic review. The analgesic properties demonstrated in preclinical studies provide indirect pharmacological support.

Headache is listed among the traditional uses of Boswellia in Ayurvedic and pharmacological reference literature. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic mechanisms are plausible. No dedicated clinical trial for headaches has been identified.

Traditional use of kanna as a treatment for headaches is documented in ethnobotanical reviews of San and Khoikhoi medicinal practices. This use is noted alongside toothache and abdominal pain in peer-reviewed reviews of the plant's history. No clinical trials have examined kanna specifically for headache.

Pacific Island traditional medicine used kava topically (leaf poultice in Hawaii) and as a beverage to relieve headaches, including tension-type headaches. This use is attributed to its muscle-relaxant and anxiolytic properties acting on tension and nervous system overactivity. No dedicated human clinical trial has tested kava specifically for headache relief.

Lemon balm has traditional documentation as a remedy for headache, including tension headache and migraine, across multiple ethnobotanical and historical pharmacopoeial sources. It is listed in the Iranian traditional medicine record and multiple herbal compendia for this use. No clinical trials specifically using headache as a primary endpoint in humans have been published.

Lemongrass is documented in traditional and folk medicine for headache relief across several cultures. Scientific reviews of C. citratus list analgesic and headache-relieving properties as part of its ethnobotanical record. Mechanistic plausibility is provided by citral's anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. No human clinical trials for headache exist.

Lilac's analgesic and anti-nociceptive properties have traditional backing and are supported by preclinical evidence showing that bark and leaf extracts produce notable antinociceptive activity in animal models. Traditional Chinese medicine records the use of S. vulgaris leaves for analgesic purposes.

Headache is cited among the conditions for which Adhatoda vasica is traditionally used in Southeast Asian ethnobotany and in Ayurvedic practice. Multiple comprehensive pharmacological reviews list this as a traditional indication.

Marjoram has been used traditionally for headaches, including nervous headaches, in Moroccan folk medicine, Ayurvedic tradition, and European herbal medicine. Its nervine and antispasmodic properties underlie this use.

Headache is documented as a traditional indication for M. citrifolia (noni) in Polynesian, Hawaiian, and Asian traditional medicine. Multiple ethnopharmacological reviews and a 2025 Medscape review confirm this traditional documentation.

Mulberry leaf is used in TCM for headaches associated with Wind-Heat external invasion and Liver Yang rising patterns. Both are documented indications in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. No clinical trial has evaluated mulberry for headache as a primary outcome.

C. rotundus is used in Ayurveda and TCM for headache, particularly as part of liver Qi stagnation presentations. The plant's analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties demonstrated in animal models are mechanistically consistent with headache relief. No clinical trials for headache have been published.

Oriental arborvitae is listed in NLM/WebMD sources as a traditional remedy for headache pain. This use appears consistently across TCM records and ethnopharmacological databases. No clinical trial data are available.

Passionflower has a longstanding traditional use for nervous headaches and headaches associated with hypertension, documented in Eclectic herbal medicine references and traditional pharmacopeias. The Eclectic specific indications historically include 'nervous headache' and 'headache in hypertensive states.' Additionally, the Fahami et al. (2010) menopause RCT observed attenuation of headaches as one of several menopausal symptoms in the passionflower group, though headache was not a primary endpoint.

Poppy has been used traditionally to relieve headaches across multiple herbal systems, including Unani medicine (P. somniferum) and TCM-influenced traditions (P. rhoeas). Analgesic alkaloids such as morphine-related compounds and rhoeadine underlie these uses. No clinical trials specifically for headache have been conducted.

Traditional use of purslane for headaches is documented across European, Asian, and Middle Eastern folk medicine, with juice or decoctions taken internally. Ethnobotanical records from Italy, Turkey, Greece, and Persian medicine specifically list purslane for headache. No human clinical trials were identified.

Queen of the meadow has a documented traditional use as an analgesic for headaches, recorded in ethnobotanical sources and referenced in Martindale's pharmacopoeia. Its salicylate content provides a mechanistic basis analogous to aspirin. No clinical trial evidence supports this specific indication.

Headache is listed among the traditional indications for Rhodiola in historical European Materia Medica and in the folk medical traditions of Russia and Scandinavia. No controlled human clinical trials have evaluated Rhodiola specifically for headache treatment or prevention.

Rosemary has a long history of traditional use for headaches in Mediterranean and European folk medicine. It is described as a cephalic herb that improves cerebral circulation, which has historically been considered the mechanism. No rigorous clinical trials specifically targeting headaches have been conducted.

Willow bark containing salicin has been used since antiquity—explicitly including by Hippocrates—for headache relief. The German Commission E approved white willow bark for headaches. Clinical trials for headache as a primary endpoint are very limited, but the traditional record is among the most consistently documented uses.

Schizonepeta is traditionally prescribed in TCM for headaches associated with external wind invasion, particularly those accompanying colds and fevers. Classical texts and multiple TCM formularies list it as a key herb for this indication. No independent human clinical trials confirm this use.

Siler root is among the most commonly cited TCM herbs for cold-related headaches, listed in multiple classical materia medica and in approximately 8% of Chinese Pharmacopoeia prescriptions. The mechanism is framed in TCM as 'expelling wind' from the Taiyang channel. Modern pharmacological studies confirm analgesic properties in animal models, but no human clinical trials for headache specifically exist.

Headache relief is documented as a traditional use of A. julibrissin in multiple ethnopharmacological records including the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. There is no dedicated clinical or experimental evidence for this specific indication.

Skullcap has been used traditionally as a remedy for stress headaches and nervous headaches in Western herbal medicine. Contemporary integrative practitioners use it for headache relief. Its antispasmodic and GABAergic properties provide biological plausibility, but no dedicated human clinical trials exist.

Headache relief is a traditional use of smartweed documented in ethnobotanical records from Bangladesh, India, and other parts of South Asia. Leaf juice application and oral decoctions have been described for this purpose.

S. japonica is documented in classical TCM pharmacopeias for headache and dizziness treatment, recognized alongside hypertension management. This use is recorded in PubMed-indexed ethnopharmacological reviews and TCM classical texts. The blood pressure-lowering and vasodilatory properties of rutin and quercetin provide mechanistic plausibility.

Soursop leaves are traditionally used to treat headaches in multiple tropical regions, documented in ethnobotanical literature from Africa, Asia, and South America. This is one of the specific traditional indications attributed particularly to the leaves.

Spearmint has been used in traditional Iranian and Moroccan medicine for headache relief. The cooling properties of carvone and the antispasmodic character of the plant are cited as the rationale. No dedicated clinical trials in humans have investigated spearmint specifically for headache.

Hemicrania (one-sided headache/migraine) is explicitly listed among traditional Ayurvedic indications for S. indicus in classical texts. No clinical or preclinical evidence specifically for headache has been published.

In traditional Mexican herbalism (curanderismo), large sunflower leaves blanched and draped over the forehead warm or cool are used for headaches. TCM formulas combining sunflower seeds with other herbs have been used for headache relief. These are documented traditional applications without clinical trial support.

A. calamus has documented traditional use for headaches in Native American medicine and Ayurvedic medicine (where it is included among Vacha's CNS indications). Preclinical CNS analgesic effects and traditional pain-relief use are documented. No clinical trials exist.

Headache is listed among the traditional indications for Swertia chirayita in ethnobotanical surveys from Nepal, India, and the Himalayas. The plant is used in folk medicine for headache relief. No pharmacological or clinical study specifically investigating this indication has been identified.

White willow bark (Salix alba) has been used since antiquity for headache and pain relief. The German Commission E and ESCOP officially recognize its use for headache. Its active constituent salicin is metabolized to salicylic acid in the body, producing effects similar to aspirin, which is a well-established analgesic for headache.

American Indian tribes traditionally used wintergreen leaf tea or topical application to relieve headaches, a use documented in ethnobotanical sources. Herbalists cite wintergreen's vasodilatory and anti-inflammatory effects as a rationale for headache relief. Clinical trial evidence specific to wintergreen and headache is absent.

Headache is wood betony's most historically prominent traditional indication, rooted in the herb's Celtic name ('good head'). The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia recommends it for headaches. A reported hypotensive action of its glycosides provides a proposed mechanistic basis, though human trial data are absent.

Relief of headache—particularly wind-cold or anemofrigid headache—is one of the oldest documented uses of X. strumarium, recorded in ShenNong BenCaoJing and consistently cited across subsequent TCM monographs. The herb is included in pharmacopeial formulas combining nasal and headache relief. No human clinical trial data exist, but this is among the most strongly documented traditional uses.

Z. armatum has documented ethnobotanical use for headaches in South Asian traditional medicine. This use is part of a broader analgesic and anti-inflammatory folk medical tradition. No clinical or controlled preclinical studies specifically targeting headache have been conducted.