Evidence supporting the use of: Peony
For the health condition: Headache (general)

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Synopsis

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

Peony (Paeonia spp.) has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and other herbal medicine systems for treating various ailments, including headaches. In TCM, both White Peony (Paeonia lactiflora) and Red Peony (Paeonia veitchii or Paeonia suffruticosa) are commonly used in formulations intended to "nourish the blood," "soothe the liver," and "alleviate pain." Headaches, especially those associated with blood deficiency, menstrual disorders, or liver qi stagnation, are among the conditions for which peony preparations may be recommended. Traditional formulas such as "Shaoyao Gancao Tang" (Peony and Licorice Decoction) are specifically cited for relieving pain, including headaches and muscle spasms.

However, high-quality scientific evidence supporting peony’s efficacy for headaches is limited. Some modern pharmacological studies suggest that components in peony, such as paeoniflorin, possess anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, which could theoretically help with headaches. Yet, clinical trials directly evaluating peony for general headache relief are lacking or of low methodological quality. Most current support for its use comes from centuries of empirical use in traditional medicine rather than robust clinical evidence. Thus, while peony is traditionally used for headaches and may offer some benefit, the strength of evidence is modest, meriting a rating of 2 out of 5.

More about peony
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Other ingredients used for Headache (general)

alpha-pinene
green chiretta
apple
ashwagandha
waterhyssop
bamboo
basil
betel
black cumin
black tea
Indian frankincense
burdock
cannabis sativa oil
chamomile
cucumber
turmeric
fennel
feverfew
ginger
ginseng
gooseberry
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
guayusa
jujube
kudzu
lavender
lemon
licorice root
lovage
magnesium
mint
moringa
mustard seed
peppermint oil
phellodendron amurense
purple butterbur root
quail egg
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
rose oil
sage
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
spearmint leaf
triphala
watermelon
white willow
zhejiang fritillary
cardamom
capsicum
Indian bael
alpinia galangal
clerodendrum indicum
ferula assafoetida
hedychium spicatum
anise
punarnava
commiphora
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
fumaria parviflora
rubia cordifolia
peony
lingusticum wallichii
morus
myrrh
root tuber
silk tree
chrysanthemum
amber
flowering quince
fern
ganoderma
sweetgums
morinda
birch
wintergreen
camphor oil
menthol oil
aster root
yerba mate
wood betony
paw paw
indigo leaves
cayenne pepper
soursop
geranium
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
Avens
Apple Cider Vinegar
Agastache
Alpha-terpineol
Ambergris
Ardisia
Angelica
Agrimony
Achyranthes
Abrus
Asarum heterotropoides
Albizia
Aconite
Asafoetida
Ajuga
Aerva lanata
Agarwood
American Liverleaf
Anemone
Asam gelugor
Alsonia scholaris
Agrimonia pilosa
Acetylsalicylic acid
Amor seco
Arani
Arisaema
Atractylone
Betony
Black Seed
Blue Flag
Bryonia
Blackthorn
Broussonetia
Blepharis
Balsam
Bayleaf
Butea monosperma
Barleria
Bitter Grass
Bael
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Banyan
Black willow
black salt
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Buddha's Hand
Borassus aethiopum
Black root
Bassia scoparia
Black Hellebore
Balloon Flower
Bergenia
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Camellia sinensis
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Cinquefoil
Citron
Carry Me Seed
Cymbopogon Martini
Coca
Campylandra fimbriata
Centipeda
Corktree
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Cannabidiol
Calamus
Chinatree
Corydalis
Cynodon dactylon
Costus
Carthamus
Colocynth
cola nut
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
DIVI-DIVI
Dragonhead
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European Elder
Erythropalum scandens
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English Horsemint
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Embelia
Eugenol
Goldthread
Galangal
Lotus
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Potato
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Poppy
Rose
Spikenard
Snakeroot (unspecified)
Sandalwood
Sumac
Sweet Orange alcohol
Vervain
Vinegar
Zucchini