Evidence supporting the use of: Sesame Oil
For the health condition: Headache (general)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Sesame oil has been traditionally used in various systems of medicine, particularly Ayurveda, to alleviate headaches. In Ayurvedic practice, sesame oil is often applied externally as part of head massages (shiro abhyanga) or used in therapies like nasya (nasal administration) with the belief that it soothes the mind, relieves tension, and balances bodily doshas that may contribute to headaches. The oil’s warming and nourishing qualities are thought to calm the nervous system and reduce headache symptoms, especially those attributed to vata and pitta imbalances.
However, scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of sesame oil for headache relief is minimal. There are very few controlled clinical studies investigating this use. Most modern research focuses on sesame oil’s general anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but direct links to headache treatment are lacking. Therefore, the use of sesame oil for headaches is justified mainly by traditional use rather than scientific validation. While some individuals may find relief through massage or aromatherapy involving sesame oil, these effects are likely due to the relaxation and placebo response rather than any specific pharmacological action of the oil itself.
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 Sesame Oil
ArthritisAsthma
Backache
Burns and Scalds
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cuts
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Eye Infections
Fever
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Hair Care (general)
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Hypertension
Inflammation
Insomnia
Memory and Brain Function
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Nausea and Vomiting
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Pain (general remedies for)
Psoriasis
Rashes and Hives
Scars / Scar Tissue
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin Care (general)
Stress
Sunburn
Wounds and Sores