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

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Synopsis

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

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is commonly employed to address a variety of ailments, including pain and inflammation. For headaches, particularly those thought to arise from inflammation or tension, turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties have been valued in folk remedies. The active compound, curcumin, is believed to modulate inflammatory pathways, which could theoretically contribute to headache relief. Historical texts and traditional practitioners have recommended turmeric in various forms (teas, pastes, or as a dietary spice) for general pain relief, including headache.

However, direct scientific evidence supporting turmeric’s efficacy for tension-type headaches is limited. Most modern clinical studies focus on turmeric’s effects on chronic inflammatory conditions like arthritis rather than headaches. Some small studies and anecdotal reports suggest potential benefits, likely due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, but robust, large-scale randomized controlled trials for headache-specific outcomes are lacking. While turmeric’s traditional use for headache provides a rationale for its continued application, evidence-based recommendations cannot be firmly established at this time.

In summary, turmeric is traditionally used for headache relief, especially in the context of its general pain- and inflammation-relieving properties, but scientific validation for its use in tension-type headaches remains preliminary.

More about turmeric
More about Headache (tension)

Other ingredients used for Headache (tension)

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

Other health conditions supported by turmeric

Abdominal Pain
Abrasions
Abscesses
Acid Indigestion
Acne
Adenitis
Afterbirth Pain
Age Spots
Aging (prevention)
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Bites and Stings
Bladder Infection
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Blood in Stool
Body Odor
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Bursitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Carbuncles
Cartilage Damage
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chest Pain
Chicken Pox
Cholera
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (adults)
Colitis
Colon (atonic)
Colon (spastic)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Convulsions
Corns
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cradle Cap
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Crohn's Disease
Cuts
Cystic Breast Disease
Cysts
Dandruff
Debility
Dementia
Denture Sores
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diaper Rash
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Diphtheria
Dislocation
Diverticulitis
Duodenal Ulcers
Dyspepsia
Edema
Endometriosis
Enteritis
Epstein Barr Virus
Eye Infections
Eye Problems
Eyes (red or itching)
Eyesight (poor)
Fat Metabolism (poor)
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Fever
Fibroids (uterine)
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Fibrosis
Free Radical Damage
Fungal Infections
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gall Stones
Gangrene
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Giardia
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Glaucoma
Goiter
Gonorrhea
Gout
Halitosis
Hangover
Hashimoto's Disease
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Headache (tension)
Heart (weakness)
Heavy Metal Poisoning
Hemochromatosis
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Hernias
Herpes
Impetigo
Indigestion
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Itching (rectal)
Jaundice (adults)
Jaundice (infants)
Jock Itch
Kidney Infection
Knees (weak)
Laryngitis
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Leucorrhea
Leukemia
Lice
Ligaments (torn or injured)
Liver Detoxification
Lupus
Lyme Disease
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)
Lymphoma
Macular Degeneration
Malaria
Mastitis
Measles
Melanoma
Memory and Brain Function
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Mood Swings
Multiple Sclerosis
Mumps
Muscular Dystrophy
Nephritis
Nerve Damage
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Oral Surgery
Ovarian Pain
Overacidity
Pain (general remedies for)
Paralysis
Parasites (general)
Pets (supplements for)
Phlebitis
Pleurisy
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Pneumonia
Polyps
Psoriasis
Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Scabies
Scars / Scar Tissue
Sciatica
Scratches and Abrasions
Senility
Skin (infections)
Slivers
Snake Bite
Sprains
Staph Infections
Stiff Neck
Stye
Tendonitis