Evidence supporting the use of: White Peony
For the health condition: Headache (general)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
White Peony (Paeonia lactiflora) has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where it is commonly included in herbal formulas aimed at alleviating headaches. In TCM, headaches are often attributed to imbalances in the liver, blood, or Qi, and White Peony is believed to nourish the blood and calm liver yang, thereby addressing these underlying causes. Formulas such as "Chai Hu Shu Gan San" and "Xiao Yao San," which contain White Peony, have been prescribed for various headache types, including tension-type and migraine-like headaches, for centuries.
However, direct scientific evidence supporting the use of White Peony specifically for headaches is limited. While some laboratory and animal studies suggest that White Peony and its active compounds (such as paeoniflorin) have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and neuroprotective properties, there are no robust clinical trials demonstrating its efficacy in treating headaches in humans. Most of the support for its use comes from traditional practice and anecdotal reports. As such, the evidence rating is moderate based on tradition but weak based on modern scientific validation. More high-quality clinical research is needed to confirm its specific benefits for headache relief.
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 White Peony
Abdominal PainAnxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Bruises (healing)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Chest Pain
Colds (general)
Depression
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Dysmenorrhea
Dyspepsia
Eczema
Energy (lack of)
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Hemorrhoids
Hot Flashes
Hypertension
Indigestion
Inflammation
Insomnia
Irritability
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Jaundice (adults)