Fritillary, derived from various species of the Fritillaria genus (often Fritillaria cirrhosa or Fritillaria thunbergii), has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In TCM, fritillary bulbs—known as "Chuan Bei Mu" or "Zhe Bei Mu" depending on the species—are primarily used to treat respiratory conditions such as coughs and phlegm due to their expectorant properties. Some historical texts and traditional practices have extended its use to treat headaches, including migraines, often as part of larger herbal formulas intended to clear heat, resolve phlegm, and stop pain.

However, there is minimal documentation in either traditional Chinese medicine or Western herbal traditions that specifically cites fritillary as a primary treatment for migraine headaches. Where it does appear, its use is largely based on the TCM theory that migraines may be caused by "phlegm-heat" obstructing the meridians, for which fritillary is sometimes prescribed. Scientific studies on fritillary focus on its antitussive (cough-suppressing), anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activities, with little or no research directly investigating its efficacy for migraine relief. Thus, its use for migraine is justified primarily by tradition, with very weak supporting evidence and no robust clinical trials to validate its effectiveness.