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

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Synopsis

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

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine for a variety of nervous system complaints, including anxiety, insomnia, and tension-related symptoms. Its application for tension headaches is primarily based on its calming, anxiolytic, and mild sedative properties, which have been valued in folk medicine in Europe and the Americas for centuries. Historically, herbalists have recommended passionflower to ease muscle tension and promote relaxation, which may incidentally alleviate tension-type headaches. However, direct evidence from controlled scientific studies specifically evaluating passionflower's effectiveness for tension headaches is limited. Some small clinical trials and animal studies suggest passionflower can reduce anxiety and muscle tension, both of which are often contributors to tension headaches. The proposed mechanism involves modulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission in the brain, leading to central nervous system relaxation. Despite this, no large-scale or high-quality clinical trials have directly confirmed its efficacy for headaches. Thus, while passionflower's use for tension headaches is justified traditionally and is supported by indirect evidence related to its calming effects, robust scientific validation is lacking. Individuals interested in using passionflower for this purpose should consult healthcare professionals, particularly due to potential interactions with other sedatives or medications.

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