Evidence supporting the use of: Evodia
For the health condition: Headache (tension)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Evodia (Evodia rutaecarpa), known as Wu Zhu Yu in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has a long history of use for various ailments, including headache, particularly those described as "cold-type" headaches or headaches associated with digestive disturbances. In TCM, Evodia is believed to "dispel cold" and "alleviate pain," and it is commonly included in herbal formulas aimed at treating headaches attributed to internal cold or qi stagnation. Classical texts and modern TCM materia medica frequently reference its use for headache, especially when accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or cold sensation, which often overlap with tension-type headaches in Western terminology.
However, there is limited scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of Evodia for tension headaches specifically. The majority of modern research on Evodia has focused on its alkaloid constituents, such as evodiamine and rutaecarpine, which exhibit various pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions in preclinical studies. Despite these findings, clinical trials directly examining its effects on tension-type headaches are lacking. Therefore, while its use for headache is well-established in traditional contexts, robust scientific validation is currently insufficient.
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 oil
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
sage
schizonepeta
triphala
chickweed
Indian bael
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
commiphora
blackboard tree
peony
lingusticum wallichii
morus
chrysanthemum
wintergreen
menthol oil
aster root
cayenne pepper
Avens
Agastache
Angelica
Asarum heterotropoides
Albizia
Aconite
Aerva lanata
Anemone
Acetylsalicylic acid
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
Elephant's Head
Galangal
Lotus
Mustard
Mallow
Poppy
Sandalwood
Vervain
Other health conditions supported by Evodia
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Bronchitis
Colds (general)
Congestion (lungs)
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Fever
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Inflammation
Injuries
Jaundice (adults)
Laryngitis
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain (general remedies for)
Phlebitis
PMS (general)