Evidence supporting the use of: Chinese peony
For the health condition: Headache (general)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Chinese peony (Paeonia lactiflora, known as Bai Shao in Traditional Chinese Medicine) has a long history of use in traditional herbal formulas to address various ailments, including headaches. In TCM theory, Chinese peony is believed to nourish the blood, calm liver yang, and alleviate pain, making it a common ingredient in formulas designed to treat headache symptoms, especially those associated with blood deficiency or liver yang rising. Classical texts and compendia, such as the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing and Compendium of Materia Medica, include references to Bai Shao’s use for various types of pain, including headaches.
From a scientific perspective, there is limited direct evidence supporting the use of Chinese peony specifically for headaches. Some pharmacological studies have shown that peony root contains compounds such as paeoniflorin, which possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. However, most clinical research focuses on its use for conditions like dysmenorrhea, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory disorders, rather than headaches per se. As such, the evidence base is largely traditional, with only indirect scientific support. The overall strength of evidence for its effectiveness in treating general headaches is modest, warranting a rating of 2 out of 5.
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 Chinese peony
Abdominal PainAmenorrhea
Anemia
Anxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Bruises (healing)
Canker Sores
Chest Pain
Chills
Colic (adults)
Colic (children)
Constipation (adults)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Dysmenorrhea
Edema
Emotional Sensitivity
Endometriosis
Fever
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Hot Flashes
Hypertension
Indigestion
Inflammation
Insomnia