Synopsis

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

Evodia (Evodia rutaecarpa), known as Wu Zhu Yu in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has a long history of use for various ailments, including headache, particularly those described as "cold-type" headaches or headaches associated with digestive disturbances. In TCM, Evodia is believed to "dispel cold" and "alleviate pain," and it is commonly included in herbal formulas aimed at treating headaches attributed to internal cold or qi stagnation. Classical texts and modern TCM materia medica frequently reference its use for headache, especially when accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or cold sensation, which often overlap with tension-type headaches in Western terminology.

However, there is limited scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of Evodia for tension headaches specifically. The majority of modern research on Evodia has focused on its alkaloid constituents, such as evodiamine and rutaecarpine, which exhibit various pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions in preclinical studies. Despite these findings, clinical trials directly examining its effects on tension-type headaches are lacking. Therefore, while its use for headache is well-established in traditional contexts, robust scientific validation is currently insufficient.

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