Evidence supporting the use of: Ligustilides
For the health condition: Headache (tension)

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Ligustilides are phytochemical compounds found primarily in plants such as Ligusticum chuanxiong (Szechuan lovage) and Angelica sinensis (Dong quai), which are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The use of these plants, and by extension their ligustilide content, for the management of headache—particularly tension-type headache and migraine—has a long-standing historical basis in TCM. Herbal formulas containing Ligusticum chuanxiong, such as Chuanxiong Cha Tiao San, have been prescribed for centuries to "dispel wind" and "promote blood circulation," concepts in TCM often linked to headache relief.

From a scientific standpoint, preclinical studies have demonstrated that ligustilides possess vasodilatory, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties, which could theoretically contribute to headache relief by improving cerebral blood flow and reducing neurogenic inflammation. However, clinical trials specifically evaluating isolated ligustilides for tension headache are lacking. Most available evidence is anecdotal or based on the use of whole herbs in complex formulas, rather than pure ligustilide. Thus, while the traditional use is well-established and some plausible mechanisms are supported by animal and in vitro studies, robust clinical evidence is insufficient. The rating of 2 reflects the reliance on tradition with limited scientific validation.

More about Ligustilides
More about Headache (tension)

Other ingredients used for Headache (tension)

ashwagandha
waterhyssop
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

Products containing Ligustilides

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.