Evidence supporting the use of: Blue Flag
For the health condition: Headache (general)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Blue Flag (Iris versicolor) has a history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly within North American Indigenous and 19th-century eclectic medicine. Historical records indicate that Blue Flag was used for a variety of ailments, including as a "blood purifier," for liver-related disorders, and occasionally for headaches. The rationale for its use in headaches was often tied to the belief that headaches were related to liver or digestive disturbances, and Blue Flag was thought to stimulate bile flow and improve these underlying issues. However, there is a lack of direct and specific traditional documentation of Blue Flag being used solely or primarily for headaches—such use was generally ancillary to its role as a remedy for other systemic issues.
From a scientific standpoint, there is no robust clinical evidence to support the use of Blue Flag for headache relief. Modern phytochemical analyses have identified some components with potential pharmacological activity, but none have been specifically linked to headache relief in controlled studies. Furthermore, Blue Flag contains iridin and other compounds that can be toxic in large doses, leading to gastrointestinal distress and other adverse effects, which further limits its modern use.
In summary, while Blue Flag may have been used traditionally for conditions thought to cause headaches, there is minimal direct traditional evidence for its use specifically for headache, and no scientific validation exists.
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
Evodia
English Horsemint
Elephant's Head
Embelia
Eugenol
Flueggea suffruticosa
Fang-Feng
Ficus religiosa
Fernbush
Ficus simplicissima
Goldthread
Gelsemium
Gnaphalium
Guava
Giant Blazingstar
Glechoma hederacea
Guaranine
Garden Cress
Gardenia jasminoides
Galangal
Golden Willow
Heartsease
Homalomena
Hellebore
Henna
Herb Robert
Hempnettle
Horsemint
Indian Nightshade
iridoids
Indian Coraltree
Indian Fagonia
Joe-Pye
Javanese Long Pepper
Kokilaksha
Kukicha
Kola Nut
Lotus
Little ironweed
Mustard
Mallow
Orchid
Potato
Prickly Pear Cactus
Poppy
Rose
Sophora
Spikenard
Snakeroot (unspecified)
Sandalwood
Sumac
Sweet Orange alcohol
Vervain
Vinegar
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Blue Flag
BackacheCanker Sores
Edema
Epilepsy
Fever
Gas and Bloating
Glands (swollen lymph)
Headache (general)
Indigestion
Inflammation
Kidney Infection
Liver Detoxification
Menstrual Irregularity
Nausea and Vomiting
Nervous Exhaustion
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Pain (general remedies for)
Rashes and Hives
Wounds and Sores