Evidence supporting the use of: Spanish Needle
For the health condition: Headache (tension)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Spanish Needle (Bidens pilosa) has a long history of use in traditional medicine across various cultures, including in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Within traditional herbal practices, it has been used to address a wide range of ailments, including inflammatory conditions, infections, and general pain relief. There are anecdotal and ethnobotanical reports that Spanish Needle has been used as a remedy for headaches, particularly tension-type headaches, by indigenous healers. These practices often involve preparing infusions or decoctions of the leaves or whole plant for oral consumption or topical application.
However, the scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness specifically for tension headaches is very limited. While Bidens pilosa does contain compounds with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties (such as flavonoids and polyacetylenes), there are no robust clinical studies or controlled trials demonstrating its efficacy in treating headaches. Most available research focuses on its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, or antimalarial properties, not directly on headache relief.
In summary, the use of Spanish Needle for tension headaches is primarily justified by traditional usage, with minimal scientific validation to date. The evidence rating is low due to the lack of targeted studies or clinical trials confirming its benefit for this specific condition.
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 Spanish Needle
Abdominal PainAbrasions
Abscesses
Afterbirth Pain
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Asthma
Backache
Bites and Stings
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Canker Sores
Cuts
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Ear Infection or Earache
Edema
Eye Infections
Fatigue
Fever
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Indigestion
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Inflammation
Injuries
Itching
Kidney Infection
Labor and Delivery
Laryngitis
Lice
