Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) is supported by scientific evidence for the prevention of certain types of headaches, particularly migraine headaches. Several randomized, placebo-controlled trials have investigated riboflavin as a prophylactic (preventive) treatment for migraines. The evidence is most robust in adults, where daily high-dose riboflavin supplementation (typically 400 mg/day) has been shown to reduce the frequency and duration of migraine attacks. The proposed mechanism involves riboflavin’s role as a precursor to flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN), which are essential for mitochondrial energy production. Migraine has been associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, and riboflavin may help improve mitochondrial efficiency, thus reducing the likelihood of migraine onset.

Guidelines from organizations such as the American Academy of Neurology and the Canadian Headache Society include riboflavin as a Level B recommendation (probably effective) for migraine prevention. However, evidence for its effectiveness in treating acute headache or for headache types other than migraine is limited or lacking. Riboflavin is generally well tolerated, with few adverse effects reported at recommended doses.

In summary, riboflavin has moderate-quality scientific evidence supporting its use in migraine prevention but not for general headache treatment or acute relief. Its use is not primarily based on tradition, but on clinical trial data and mechanistic plausibility.

More about Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
More about Headache (general)

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
Bottle gourd
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Chinese Silkvine
Cinnamomum
Clary sage
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Coriander
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cactus
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
Dichrostachys glomerata
European Elder
Erythropalum scandens
Erodium cicutarium
Evodia
English Horsemint
Elephant's Head
Embelia
Eugenol
Flueggea suffruticosa
Fang-Feng
Ficus religiosa
Fernbush
Ficus simplicissima
Goldthread
Gelsemium
Gnaphalium
Giant Blazingstar
Glechoma hederacea
Garden Cress
Gardenia jasminoides
Galangal
Golden Willow
Lotus
Little ironweed
Mustard
Mallow
Orchid
Potato
Prickly Pear Cactus
Poppy
Rose
Spikenard
Snakeroot (unspecified)
Sandalwood
Sumac
Sweet Orange alcohol
Vervain
Vinegar
Zucchini

Other health conditions supported by Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

Burning Feet or Hands
Cataracts
Fatigue
Headache (general)
Headache (tension)
Migraine

Products containing Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

We currently have no products on Caring Sunshine that contain this ingredient.