Synopsis

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

The Rubiaceae family, which includes plants such as Coffea (coffee), Cinchona (source of quinine), and Gardenia, has a long history of use in traditional medicine for various ailments, including headache. In traditional systems, such as Ayurveda, Unani, and folk medicine in Africa and South America, decoctions or infusions made from parts of Rubiaceae plants have been used to relieve headaches and related symptoms. For example, coffee (Coffea spp.) has been used traditionally for its stimulating properties, which can sometimes help alleviate certain types of headaches, especially those related to fatigue.

However, scientific evidence specifically supporting the use of unspecified members of the Rubiaceae family for headaches is limited. While caffeine (from Coffea spp.) is recognized in modern medicine as an adjuvant in some over-the-counter headache remedies, this relates to a specific compound rather than the entire family. Other Rubiaceae plants, such as Cinchona, are more historically associated with malaria treatment due to quinine content rather than headache. Thus, the use of Rubiaceae for headaches is primarily based on traditional practices, with some partial scientific validation for specific members (like Coffea/caffeine), but not for the family as a whole or unspecified Rubiaceae plants.

More about Rubiaceae (unspecified)
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Other ingredients used for Headache (general)

Other health conditions supported by Rubiaceae (unspecified)

Products containing Rubiaceae (unspecified)