Evidence supporting the use of: Betony
For the health condition: Migraine
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Betony (Stachys officinalis), also known as wood betony, has a long history of use in European herbal medicine, particularly for ailments involving the head, such as headaches and migraines. Historical records from medieval and Renaissance herbalists, including Nicholas Culpeper and John Gerard, suggest that betony was highly valued for its supposed ability to relieve headaches, migraines, and neuralgias. The plant was commonly prepared as a tea, tincture, or poultice for these purposes. The tradition dates back to Roman times, and it was once said that "he has as many virtues as there are days in the year."
Despite this rich traditional background, there is little modern scientific evidence to validate the use of betony specifically for migraine treatment. Only a handful of laboratory and animal studies have investigated Stachys officinalis, and these primarily focus on its general anti-inflammatory and mild sedative properties, which could theoretically play a role in headache relief. However, no high-quality clinical trials or systematic reviews have established efficacy for migraines in humans. Thus, while betony’s use for migraines is well-documented in traditional herbal medicine, robust scientific validation is lacking, and the evidence is mostly anecdotal or historical in nature.
Other ingredients used for Migraine
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
ashwagandha
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
black tea
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
Chinese salvia root
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
turmeric
curcumin
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
feverfew
fish oil
ginger
ginkgo biloba
gooseberry
gotu kola
kudzu
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
lavender
luteolin
magnesium
melatonin
moringa
niacin (vitamin B3)
omega-3 fatty acids
Peppermint
phytocannabinoids
pine bark
purple butterbur root
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
Almond fruit
ubiquinol
valerian root
vitamin B6
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
zinc
atractylodes
blackboard tree
swertia
Szechuan lovage
chrysanthemum
soursop
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Apple Cider Vinegar
Albizia
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Atractylone
Betony
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Blepharis
Balsam
Banyan
Brahmi
Butterbur
Bifidobacteria
Black Hellebore
Chinese Silkvine
Crocin
Creatine
Cannabidiol
Corydalis
Carthamus
cola nut
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Danshen
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Folic Acid
Flavin mononucleotide
Ficus religiosa
Fish
Flavanones
Ficus simplicissima
Frankincense
Goldthread
Gelsemium
Ginkgolides
Ginkgoside
Hellebore
iridoids
Ketone Salts
Kuding tea
lemon balm
Lesser speargrass
Little ironweed
Linalool
Mesua
Methylxanthine
Meadowsweet
Nardostachys
Night jessamine
Osthole
Puerarin
Petasines
Phthalides
Paeoniflorin
Pycnogenol
Polygonum
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Rue
Rubus
Rauvolfia
Rubiaceae
Spikenard
Sensitive Plant
Salmon Oil
Sandalwood
Scabrous Gentian
Uncaria
Withanolides
Xanthine
Xanthophyll
Xanthone
Yuzu
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by Betony
Abdominal PainAnxiety
Arthritis
Backache
Bedwetting
Bleeding (external)
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cuts
Depression
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Edema
Emotional Sensitivity
Fatigue
Fever
Glands (swollen lymph)
Headache (general)
Indigestion
Inflammation
Insomnia
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Menstrual Irregularity
Migraine
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Pain (general remedies for)
Rashes and Hives
Stress
Wounds and Sores