Evidence supporting the use of: Allium (unspecified)
For the health condition: Headache (general)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Allium species, particularly garlic (Allium sativum) and onion (Allium cepa), have a long history of use in traditional medicine systems around the world, including Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and European folk practices. In these traditions, Allium plants have been used for a wide variety of ailments, sometimes including headaches. The rationale for their use often stems from their purported abilities to "purify the blood" or act as general tonics, as well as their anti-inflammatory and circulatory-stimulating properties. Some traditional texts recommend garlic or onion poultices applied to the forehead or temples for relief of headaches, while others suggest ingestion of Allium extracts or preparations.
However, scientific validation for the use of Allium species specifically to treat or prevent headaches is limited. While some laboratory studies have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory effects of Allium-derived compounds, there is little to no direct clinical research linking Allium consumption or topical application to headache relief in humans. Most modern herbal and integrative medicine references mention Allium's use for cardiovascular and immune support rather than for headaches. As such, the tradition is the primary basis for this use, and the evidence level remains modest.
More about Allium (unspecified)
More about Headache (general)
Other ingredients used for Headache (general)
alpha-pinenegreen chiretta
apple
ashwagandha
waterhyssop
bamboo
basil
betel
black cumin
black tea
Indian frankincense
burdock
cannabis sativa oil
chamomile
cucumber
turmeric
fennel
feverfew
ginger
ginseng
gooseberry
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
guayusa
jujube
kudzu
lavender
lemon
licorice root
lovage
magnesium
mint
moringa
mustard seed
peppermint oil
phellodendron amurense
purple butterbur root
quail egg
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
rose oil
sage
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
spearmint leaf
triphala
watermelon
white willow
zhejiang fritillary
cardamom
capsicum
Indian bael
alpinia galangal
clerodendrum indicum
ferula assafoetida
hedychium spicatum
anise
punarnava
commiphora
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
fumaria parviflora
rubia cordifolia
peony
lingusticum wallichii
morus
myrrh
root tuber
silk tree
chrysanthemum
amber
flowering quince
fern
ganoderma
sweetgums
morinda
birch
wintergreen
camphor oil
menthol oil
aster root
yerba mate
wood betony
paw paw
indigo leaves
cayenne pepper
soursop
geranium
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
Avens
Apple Cider Vinegar
Agastache
Alpha-terpineol
Ambergris
Ardisia
Angelica
Agrimony
Achyranthes
Abrus
Asarum heterotropoides
Albizia
Aconite
Asafoetida
Ajuga
Aerva lanata
Agarwood
American Liverleaf
Anemone
Asam gelugor
Alsonia scholaris
Agrimonia pilosa
Acetylsalicylic acid
Amor seco
Arani
Arisaema
Atractylone
Betony
Black Seed
Blue Flag
Bryonia
Blackthorn
Broussonetia
Blepharis
Balsam
Bayleaf
Butea monosperma
Barleria
Bitter Grass
Bael
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Banyan
Black willow
black salt
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Buddha's Hand
Borassus aethiopum
Black root
Bassia scoparia
Black Hellebore
Balloon Flower
Bergenia
Bottle gourd
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Chinese Silkvine
Cinnamomum
Clary sage
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Coriander
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cactus
Cinquefoil
Citron
Carry Me Seed
Cymbopogon Martini
Coca
Campylandra fimbriata
Centipeda
Corktree
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Cannabidiol
Calamus
Chinatree
Corydalis
Cynodon dactylon
Costus
Carthamus
Colocynth
cola nut
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
DIVI-DIVI
Dragonhead
Dichrostachys glomerata
European Elder
Erythropalum scandens
Erodium cicutarium
English Horsemint
Elephant's Head
Embelia
Eugenol
Goldthread
Galangal
Lotus
Little ironweed
Mustard
Mallow
Orchid
Potato
Prickly Pear Cactus
Poppy
Rose
Spikenard
Snakeroot (unspecified)
Sandalwood
Sumac
Sweet Orange alcohol
Vervain
Vinegar
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Allium (unspecified)
Abdominal PainAbscesses
Acid Indigestion
Aging (prevention)
Angina
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Appetite (deficient)
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Belching
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia
Bladder Infection
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Blood Poisoning
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Bruises (prevention)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Cardiovascular Disease
Chest Pain
Cholera
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colitis
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cuts
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Diphtheria
Dysentery
Ear Infection or Earache
Edema
Fatty Liver Disease
Fever
Fungal Infections
Gall Stones
Gangrene
Gas and Bloating
Giardia
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Gout
Halitosis
Headache (general)
Heart (weakness)
Hemorrhoids
Hypertension
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)