Evidence supporting the use of: Atractylone
For the health condition: Headache (tension)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Atractylone is a natural compound found in Atractylodes species, commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Its use for headache, specifically tension-type headaches, is primarily rooted in traditional practices rather than rigorous scientific validation. In TCM, Atractylodes rhizome (Bai Zhu) is frequently included in herbal formulas to "strengthen the spleen" and "dispel dampness," and these formulas are sometimes prescribed for symptoms like headache, which are believed to arise from imbalances in the body's qi and dampness or phlegm accumulation. However, these concepts do not directly map onto modern biomedical understandings of headache causes, and the specific use of atractylone or Atractylodes for tension headaches lacks targeted clinical trials or robust mechanistic studies. Only limited preclinical research suggests atractylone possesses anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, but these have not been conclusively linked to headache relief in humans. Therefore, while its application for headache is supported by tradition, scientific evidence for its efficacy in treating tension-type headaches is minimal or indirect at best.
Other ingredients used for Headache (tension)
ashwagandhawaterhyssop
black cumin
Indian frankincense
chamomile
cucumber
turmeric
turmeric
feverfew
ginger
greek mountain tea
kudzu
lavender
lemon
licorice root
magnesium
moringa
passionflower
passionflower
Peppermint
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
sage
schizonepeta
triphala
chickweed
Indian bael
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
commiphora
blackboard tree
peony
Szechuan lovage
morus
chrysanthemum
wintergreen
menthol oil
aster root
cayenne pepper
Avens
Agastache
Angelica
Asarum heterotropoides
Albizia
Aconite
Aerva lanata
Anemone
Amor seco
Atractylone
Black Seed
Blackthorn
Broussonetia
Balsam
Bayleaf
Butea monosperma
Bael
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Black willow
black salt
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Black Hellebore
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Chinese Silkvine
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cinquefoil
Citron
Cajuput
Coca
Campylandra fimbriata
Centipeda
Corydalis
Carthamus
cola nut
Clerodendrum indicum
DIVI-DIVI
Dragonhead
Dichrostachys glomerata
Erodium cicutarium
Evodia
Elephant's Head
Fernbush
Gnaphalium
Gardenia jasminoides
Galangal
Henna
Herb Robert
Hempnettle
Horsemint
Indian Coraltree
Indian Fagonia
Ledebouriella
Lesser speargrass
Litsea
Linden
Ligustilides
Lotus
Labrador Tea
Large-Leaved Linden
Loranthus
Linalool
Mentha haplocalyx
Mustard
Mallow
Malva sylvestris
Mountain mahogany
Matapalo Tree
Morning Glory
Meadowsweet
Macaranga indica
Nardostachys
Nymphaea nouchali
Osha
Onosma bracteatum
Osmanthus
Premna
Piper chaba
Pulsatilla
Pluchea
Pimpinella
Paeoniflorin
Poppy
Plectranthus amboinicus
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Rue
Rubiaceae
Sophora
Spanish Needle
Self-Heal
Salvia
Sensitive Plant
Sagebrush
Sandalwood
Semecarpus anacardium
Stereospermum
Sweet Bay
Storax
Sedanenolide
Tamarind
Vervain
Water Pepper
Willow
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Yerba buena
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by Atractylone
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Bronchitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Chills
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Edema
Energy (lack of)
Fatigue
Fever
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Hepatitis
Indigestion
Inflammation
Insomnia
Liver Detoxification
Lungs (fluid in)
Menopause
Migraine
Nausea and Vomiting
Nephritis
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Pain (general remedies for)