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.

More about Sesame Oil
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 Sesame Oil

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