Evidence supporting the use of: Mum
For the health condition: Headache (tension)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Mum, commonly referring to Chrysanthemum morifolium (chrysanthemum flower), has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for centuries as a remedy for various ailments, including headaches, particularly those associated with tension or stress. In TCM, chrysanthemum is believed to have cooling and anti-inflammatory properties and is often included in herbal formulas intended to "clear heat" and "calm the liver," concepts associated with alleviating headache and irritability. Preparations such as chrysanthemum tea are popular in East Asian cultures for this purpose.
However, scientific validation for this use remains limited. There are only a few modern studies examining chrysanthemum’s pharmacological properties, and most relate to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. While these mechanisms could, in theory, contribute to headache relief—especially if inflammation is a factor—there is a lack of robust clinical trials directly supporting its efficacy for tension-type headaches. No high-quality randomized controlled trials have established its benefit for headache management. Therefore, its use for tension headaches is justified primarily by tradition, with low-level evidence from preliminary pharmacological studies and historical practice.
Other ingredients used for Headache (tension)
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feverfew
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lemon
licorice root
magnesium
moringa
passionflower
passionflower
peppermint oil
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
sage
schizonepeta
triphala
chickweed
Indian bael
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
commiphora
blackboard tree
peony
lingusticum wallichii
morus
chrysanthemum
wintergreen
menthol oil
aster root
cayenne pepper
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Agastache
Angelica
Asarum heterotropoides
Albizia
Aconite
Aerva lanata
Anemone
Acetylsalicylic acid
Amor seco
Atractylone
Black Seed
Blackthorn
Broussonetia
Balsam
Bayleaf
Butea monosperma
Bael
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Black willow
black salt
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Black Hellebore
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Chinese Silkvine
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cinquefoil
Citron
Cajuput
Coca
Campylandra fimbriata
Centipeda
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cola nut
Clerodendrum indicum
DIVI-DIVI
Dragonhead
Dichrostachys glomerata
Erodium cicutarium
Evodia
Elephant's Head
Fernbush
Gnaphalium
Gardenia jasminoides
Galangal
Lotus
Mustard
Mallow
Poppy
Sandalwood
Vervain