The use of Indian Coraltree (Erythrina variegata) for treating headaches, particularly tension-type headaches, is primarily justified by traditional practices in Ayurvedic and folk medicine. In several parts of India and Southeast Asia, different parts of the plant—including the leaves, bark, and flowers—have been used as remedies for pain, inflammation, and headaches. Ancient Ayurvedic texts and ethnobotanical surveys document that preparations made from Indian Coraltree have been applied for their analgesic and sedative properties, which could offer relief from headache symptoms associated with stress or tension.

However, scientific validation for this specific application is limited. While some preclinical studies have demonstrated that extracts from Erythrina variegata possess analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and CNS depressant activities, there is a lack of direct clinical evidence showing efficacy for tension headaches in humans. The available pharmacological studies are mostly conducted on animal models and do not address headache specifically, but rather general pain or inflammation. Thus, while tradition supports the use of Indian Coraltree for tension headaches and some mechanistic rationale exists, high-quality clinical trials are lacking.