Evidence supporting the use of: Meadowsweet
For the health condition: Headache (tension)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) has a longstanding history of use in traditional European herbal medicine, especially for pain relief, including headaches and tension-type headaches. The plant contains salicylates—precursors to salicylic acid, the basis for aspirin—which are thought to contribute to its analgesic (pain-relieving) and anti-inflammatory properties. Historically, meadowsweet was used in folk medicine to relieve various aches and pains, and Nicholas Culpeper’s 17th-century writings mention its use for headaches.
However, while its traditional use is well documented, scientific evidence supporting meadowsweet’s effectiveness specifically for tension headaches is limited. Most modern studies on meadowsweet focus on its constituents and general anti-inflammatory effects rather than clinical trials for headache relief. The presence of salicylates lends some plausibility to its use, given the known efficacy of aspirin for headache, but there is a lack of direct clinical research validating its use for this condition. Therefore, its use for tension headaches is justified by tradition, with a modest level of indirect scientific support due to its chemical makeup, but not by robust clinical evidence.
Other ingredients used for Headache (tension)
AconiteAerva lanata
Agastache
Albizia
alpinia galangal
Amor seco
Anemone
Angelica
Asarum heterotropoides
ashwagandha
aster root
atractylone
avens
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
balsam
bayleaf
black cumin
Black Hellebore
black salt
black seed
Black willow
blackboard tree
blackthorn
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
borneol
Broussonetia
Butea monosperma
cajuput
Camellia sinensis
Campylandra fimbriata
Carthamus
cayenne pepper
Centipeda
chamomile
chickweed
Chinese silkvine
chrysanthemum
cinquefoil
citron
Clerodendrum indicum
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coca
cola nut
commiphora
Corydalis
cucumber
Dichrostachys glomerata
divi-divi
dragonhead
elephant\'s head
Erodium cicutarium
Evodia
fernbush
ferula assafoetida
feverfew
Galangal
Gardenia jasminoides
ginger
Gnaphalium
Greek mountain tea
Hempnettle
henna
Herb Robert
Horsemint
Indian bael
Indian coraltree
Indian fagonia
Indian frankincense
kudzu
labrador tea
Large-leaved linden
lavender
Ledebouriella
lemon
Lesser speargrass
licorice root
ligustilides
linalool
linden
Litsea
Loranthus
lotus
Macaranga indica
magnesium
mallow
Malva sylvestris
Matapalo Tree
Meadowsweet
Mentha haplocalyx
Menthol oil
Moringa
Morning glory
Morus
Mountain mahogany
Mustard
Nardostachys
Nymphaea nouchali
Onosma bracteatum
Osha
Osmanthus
paeoniflorin
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
passionflower
passionflower
peony
Peppermint
Pimpinella
Piper chaba
Plectranthus amboinicus
Pluchea
poppy
Premna
Pulsatilla
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
Rubiaceae
rue
sage
Sagebrush
Salvia
Sandalwood
schizonepeta
Sedanenolide
Self-Heal
Semecarpus anacardium
Sensitive Plant
Sophora
Spanish Needle
Stereospermum
Storax
Sweet Bay
Szechuan lovage
Tamarind
Triphala
turmeric
turmeric
Vervain
Water Pepper
Waterhyssop
Willow
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Wintergreen
Yerba buena
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by Meadowsweet
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Arthritis
Backache
Belching
Bruises (healing)
Colds (general)
Colic (adults)
Colic (children)
Cough (general)
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Cuts
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Edema
Fever
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Headache (tension)
Indigestion
Inflammation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Migraine
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain (general remedies for)
Rashes and Hives
Sore Throat
Ulcers
Wounds and Sores
