Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, has scientific evidence supporting its use in the prevention of certain types of headaches, particularly migraines. Multiple randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews have demonstrated that high-dose riboflavin supplementation (commonly 400 mg/day) can reduce the frequency and duration of migraine attacks in some patients, likely due to its role in mitochondrial energy metabolism. Although riboflavin is more commonly associated with migraine prophylaxis rather than tension-type headaches, some clinicians may recommend it for general headache prevention given its favorable safety profile and the potential overlap in headache mechanisms.

However, the evidence for riboflavin's effectiveness in treating or preventing tension-type headaches specifically is limited and not as robust as it is for migraines. Most clinical guidelines recommend riboflavin for migraine prevention based on moderate-quality evidence, but do not extend this recommendation to tension headaches. The mechanism by which riboflavin may help migraines—improving mitochondrial dysfunction—has not been clearly established for tension-type headaches, which are thought to involve different pathophysiological processes such as muscle tension and stress.

In summary, while riboflavin is scientifically validated for migraine prevention, its use for tension headaches is not strongly supported by current evidence. The ingredient is sometimes used for general headache support, but its efficacy for tension headaches remains uncertain.

More about Vitamin B2 (riboflavin selenite)
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

Other health conditions supported by Vitamin B2 (riboflavin selenite)

Cataracts
Dermatitis
Fatigue
Headache (general)
Headache (tension)
Migraine

Products containing Vitamin B2 (riboflavin selenite)

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