Evidence supporting the use of: Sophora
For the health condition: Headache (tension)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Sophora species, most commonly Sophora flavescens (Ku Shen) and Sophora japonica (Huai Hua), are used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for a variety of purposes, including clearing heat, resolving toxins, and stopping bleeding. In TCM texts, there is occasional mention of Sophora-containing formulas for alleviating “head wind” (a term sometimes interpreted as headache) or for conditions that might overlap with tension-type headache symptoms, but headache is not a principal or common indication for Sophora according to most traditional herbal references. There is little explicit reference to Sophora being used specifically for tension headaches, and when used, it is typically as part of a multi-herb formula and not as a primary ingredient.
Scientific evidence for Sophora’s efficacy in treating headaches, particularly tension-type headaches, is lacking. There are no high-quality clinical trials or pharmacological studies directly investigating Sophora species for this indication. Most available scientific research on Sophora focuses on its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, but these have not been clearly linked to tension headache mechanisms. Thus, while there is some minor traditional precedent for its use in headache, the supporting evidence—traditional or scientific—is weak and indirect.
Other ingredients used for Headache (tension)
ashwagandhawaterhyssop
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
Other health conditions supported by Sophora
Abdominal PainAcne
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Anxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Cuts
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Eczema
Epilepsy
Fatigue
Fever
Fungal Infections
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Headache (general)
Headache (tension)
Hepatitis
Herpes
Hot Flashes