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

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Synopsis

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

Sesame oil has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly Ayurveda, for the management of headaches, including tension headaches. In Ayurvedic practice, sesame oil is often applied topically to the scalp or used in head massages (Shiroabhyanga) with the belief that it calms the nervous system, reduces muscle tension, and alleviates pain. The oil is valued for its warming properties and is thought to help balance the doshas—especially Vata, which is associated with dryness and tension.

From a scientific perspective, there is limited direct evidence supporting the efficacy of sesame oil specifically for tension headaches. However, some studies have demonstrated that massage therapy, including scalp massage, can reduce headache frequency and intensity, likely due to the relief of muscle tension and promotion of relaxation. Sesame oil contains compounds such as sesamin and sesamol, which have mild anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, but there is no robust clinical data showing these properties translate to headache relief when used topically.

In summary, the use of sesame oil for tension headaches is primarily justified by traditional use, especially in South Asian holistic practices. While some components of the oil have potentially beneficial properties and massage itself can relieve tension, there is a lack of high-quality clinical research directly validating sesame oil’s specific role in tension headache treatment.

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