Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) has a long history of use in traditional medicine, including applications for various types of pain and inflammation, such as headaches. Historical herbal texts and ethnobotanical surveys indicate that chamomile infusions or extracts have been used as a calming agent and for general relief of nervous tension, which can sometimes accompany or trigger migraines. However, direct references to chamomile being used specifically for migraine are limited and often anecdotal.

On the scientific front, there is very little direct clinical evidence to support the use of chamomile for migraine management. Some laboratory and animal studies suggest that chamomile possesses anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and mild sedative properties, which could theoretically provide some benefit for headache or migraine sufferers. Despite these properties, there are no well-designed human clinical trials demonstrating chamomile’s efficacy for migraine prevention or acute migraine treatment. Most scientific literature focuses on chamomile’s effects for anxiety, sleep, and gastrointestinal complaints, rather than for migraine.

In summary, chamomile’s use for migraine is based primarily on traditional and anecdotal reports, with very limited or indirect scientific support. The evidence base is weak (rated 1/5), and any benefits are extrapolated rather than directly proven in migraine sufferers.

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