Evidence supporting the use of: Passionflower
For the health condition: Headache (tension)

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Synopsis

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

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine for a variety of nervous system complaints, including anxiety, insomnia, and tension-related symptoms. Its application for tension headaches is primarily based on its calming, anxiolytic, and mild sedative properties, which have been valued in folk medicine in Europe and the Americas for centuries. Historically, herbalists have recommended passionflower to ease muscle tension and promote relaxation, which may incidentally alleviate tension-type headaches. However, direct evidence from controlled scientific studies specifically evaluating passionflower's effectiveness for tension headaches is limited. Some small clinical trials and animal studies suggest passionflower can reduce anxiety and muscle tension, both of which are often contributors to tension headaches. The proposed mechanism involves modulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission in the brain, leading to central nervous system relaxation. Despite this, no large-scale or high-quality clinical trials have directly confirmed its efficacy for headaches. Thus, while passionflower's use for tension headaches is justified traditionally and is supported by indirect evidence related to its calming effects, robust scientific validation is lacking. Individuals interested in using passionflower for this purpose should consult healthcare professionals, particularly due to potential interactions with other sedatives or medications.

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Other ingredients used for Headache (tension)

Aconite
Aerva lanata
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Albizia
alpinia galangal
Amor seco
Anemone
Angelica
Asarum heterotropoides
ashwagandha
aster root
atractylone
avens
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
balsam
bayleaf
black cumin
Black Hellebore
black salt
black seed
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blackboard tree
blackthorn
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
borneol
Broussonetia
Butea monosperma
cajuput
Camellia sinensis
Campylandra fimbriata
Carthamus
cayenne pepper
Centipeda
chamomile
chickweed
Chinese silkvine
chrysanthemum
cinquefoil
citron
Clerodendrum indicum
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coca
cola nut
commiphora
Corydalis
cucumber
Dichrostachys glomerata
divi-divi
dragonhead
elephant\'s head
Erodium cicutarium
Evodia
fernbush
ferula assafoetida
feverfew
Galangal
Gardenia jasminoides
ginger
Gnaphalium
Greek mountain tea
Hempnettle
henna
Herb Robert
Horsemint
Indian bael
Indian coraltree
Indian fagonia
Indian frankincense
kudzu
labrador tea
Large-leaved linden
lavender
Ledebouriella
lemon
Lesser speargrass
licorice root
ligustilides
linalool
linden
Litsea
Loranthus
lotus
Macaranga indica
magnesium
mallow
Malva sylvestris
Matapalo Tree
Meadowsweet
Mentha haplocalyx
Menthol oil
Moringa
Morning glory
Morus
Mountain mahogany
Mustard
Nardostachys
Nymphaea nouchali
Onosma bracteatum
Osha
Osmanthus
paeoniflorin
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
passionflower
passionflower
peony
Peppermint
Pimpinella
Piper chaba
Plectranthus amboinicus
Pluchea
poppy
Premna
Pulsatilla
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
Rubiaceae
rue
sage
Sagebrush
Salvia
Sandalwood
schizonepeta
Sedanenolide
Self-Heal
Semecarpus anacardium
Sensitive Plant
Sophora
Spanish Needle
Stereospermum
Storax
Sweet Bay
Szechuan lovage
Tamarind
Triphala
turmeric
turmeric
Vervain
Water Pepper
Waterhyssop
Willow
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
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Yerba buena
Zingerone