Evidence supporting the use of: Frankincense
For the health condition: Migraine

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Frankincense (Boswellia serrata) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, primarily for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. In these contexts, it has sometimes been used to address headaches, including migraines, though it is not considered a primary or highly specific remedy for migraines in traditional texts. The rationale for its use is based on its perceived ability to reduce inflammation and modulate immune responses, which are believed to play a role in some forms of headache.

From a scientific perspective, frankincense and its active constituents (notably boswellic acids) have demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in laboratory and animal studies. Some small clinical trials have investigated its efficacy for inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis, but there is limited direct research on its use for migraines. A few preliminary studies and case reports suggest it may have a role in reducing headache frequency or severity, possibly by inhibiting inflammatory mediators involved in the pathogenesis of migraines, such as leukotrienes. However, the clinical evidence is sparse, low in quality, and not definitive.

Overall, frankincense is used for migraine support mainly on traditional grounds, with minimal and indirect scientific evidence. Its effectiveness for this specific condition has not been established in rigorous clinical trials.

More about Frankincense
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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

Products containing Frankincense

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