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

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Synopsis

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

Poppy, particularly the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), has a long history of traditional use for pain relief, including headaches such as tension headaches. In various traditional medical systems, preparations made from poppy seeds or the dried latex (opium) have been employed as analgesics and sedatives. Historical texts from ancient Greece, Persia, and India reference poppy-derived products being used to alleviate headache pain.

However, while the traditional use is well-documented, there is limited modern scientific evidence specifically validating the use of poppy or its derivatives for tension-type headaches. Most scientific attention has focused on the potent alkaloids derived from opium poppy, such as morphine and codeine, which are recognized analgesics for moderate to severe pain, though they are not specifically recommended for tension headaches due to risk of dependency and side effects. Non-opioid analgesics (e.g., acetaminophen, NSAIDs) are generally preferred.

Moreover, "poppy" as an unspecified term could refer to several species, and not all contain significant levels of analgesic alkaloids. Poppy seeds used in food contain negligible opioid content and are not considered effective for pain relief.

In summary, while poppy has traditional use for headache management, especially in historic pain remedies, there is little scientific evidence supporting its use for tension headaches, and its potential for harm limits contemporary recommendations.

More about Poppy
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 Poppy

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