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 been traditionally used in folk medicine to support the treatment of tension headaches. The use of passionflower for headache is rooted largely in its historical application as a calming and anxiolytic herb. Traditionally, it was believed to relieve nervousness, anxiety, and the muscular tension that can contribute to tension-type headaches. Early herbal texts and ethnobotanical records mention passionflower as a sedative and relaxant, which aligns with the common triggers for tension headaches such as stress and anxiety.

However, scientific evidence directly supporting the use of passionflower for tension headaches is limited. Most modern research on passionflower focuses on its effects on anxiety, insomnia, and mild stress, with several small clinical trials suggesting potential benefits in these areas. The plant contains flavonoids and alkaloids believed to modulate gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activity in the brain, which may produce mild sedative and muscle-relaxant effects. These mechanisms could theoretically help with tension headaches, which are often associated with muscle tightness and stress. However, clinical trials specifically examining passionflower for headache relief are lacking.

In summary, while there is a traditional basis for the use of passionflower in relieving tension headaches, and some plausible mechanisms based on its anxiolytic and muscle-relaxant properties, rigorous scientific validation is currently insufficient. Thus, its use for this purpose should be considered as a traditional remedy with limited scientific evidence.

More about passionflower
More about Headache (tension)

Other ingredients used for Headache (tension)

Aconite
Aerva lanata
Agastache
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
Black willow
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