Evidence supporting the use of: Chinese peony
For the health condition: Headache (tension)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Chinese peony (Paeonia lactiflora) has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where it is often prescribed for conditions described as "head wind" or headache, particularly those associated with tension, stress, or "liver yang rising." The root, known as Bai Shao (White Peony Root), is thought to nourish the blood, calm the liver, and alleviate pain. In various classical TCM formulas, such as “Xiao Yao San” (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder), Chinese peony is combined with other herbs to address symptoms including headache, dizziness, and irritability that are believed to result from imbalances in liver and blood. Scientific studies directly evaluating Chinese peony for tension headache are limited. Some research suggests that compounds in peony root, such as paeoniflorin, have anti-inflammatory, muscle-relaxant, and neuroprotective effects in laboratory models, which could theoretically play a role in headache relief. However, robust clinical trials focusing specifically on tension-type headaches are lacking. Thus, while its use for headache is well-established in traditional practices, scientific validation remains preliminary, and evidence quality is modest.
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 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