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)
AconiteAerva lanata
Agastache
Albizia
alpinia galangal
Amor seco
Anemone
Angelica
Asarum heterotropoides
ashwagandha
aster root
atractylone
avens
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
balsam
bayleaf
black cumin
Black Hellebore
black salt
black seed
Black willow
blackboard tree
blackthorn
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
borneol
Broussonetia
Butea monosperma
cajuput
Camellia sinensis
Campylandra fimbriata
Carthamus
cayenne pepper
Centipeda
chamomile
chickweed
Chinese silkvine
chrysanthemum
cinquefoil
citron
Clerodendrum indicum
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coca
cola nut
commiphora
Corydalis
cucumber
Dichrostachys glomerata
divi-divi
dragonhead
elephant\'s head
Erodium cicutarium
Evodia
fernbush
ferula assafoetida
feverfew
Galangal
Gardenia jasminoides
ginger
Gnaphalium
Greek mountain tea
Hempnettle
henna
Herb Robert
Horsemint
Indian bael
Indian coraltree
Indian fagonia
Indian frankincense
kudzu
labrador tea
Large-leaved linden
lavender
Ledebouriella
lemon
Lesser speargrass
licorice root
ligustilides
linalool
linden
Litsea
Loranthus
lotus
Macaranga indica
magnesium
mallow
Malva sylvestris
Matapalo Tree
Meadowsweet
Mentha haplocalyx
Menthol oil
Moringa
Morning glory
Morus
Mountain mahogany
Mustard
Nardostachys
Nymphaea nouchali
Onosma bracteatum
Osha
Osmanthus
paeoniflorin
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
passionflower
passionflower
peony
Peppermint
Pimpinella
Piper chaba
Plectranthus amboinicus
Pluchea
poppy
Premna
Pulsatilla
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
Rubiaceae
rue
sage
Sagebrush
Salvia
Sandalwood
schizonepeta
Sedanenolide
Self-Heal
Semecarpus anacardium
Sensitive Plant
Sophora
Spanish Needle
Stereospermum
Storax
Sweet Bay
Szechuan lovage
Tamarind
Triphala
turmeric
turmeric
Vervain
Water Pepper
Waterhyssop
Willow
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Wintergreen
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
