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

1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Albizia
Almond fruit
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-lipoic acid
apple cider vinegar
ashwagandha
atractylodes
atractylone
Baikal Skullcap
balsam
banyan
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
beta-hydroxybutyrate
betony
Bifidobacteria
Black Hellebore
black seed
black tea
blackboard tree
Blepharis
brahmi
bupleurum falcatum
butterbur
cannabidiol
Carthamus
Chinese salvia root
Chinese silkvine
chrysanthemum
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cola nut
Corydalis
creatine
crocin
curcumin
danshen
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
docosahexaenoic Acid
eicosapentaenoic acid
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
feverfew
Ficus religiosa
Ficus simplicissima
fish
fish oil
flavanones
flavin mononucleotide
folic acid
frankincense
Gelsemium
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginkgolides
Ginkgoside
goldthread
gooseberry
gotu kola
Hellebore
Indian frankincense
iridoids
ketone salts
kuding tea
kudzu
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
lavender
lemon balm
Lesser speargrass
linalool
little ironweed
luteolin
magnesium
Meadowsweet
Melatonin
Mesua
Methylxanthine
Moringa
Nardostachys
Niacin (vitamin B3)
Night jessamine
omega-3 fatty acids
Osthole
paeoniflorin
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Peppermint
Petasines
Phthalides
phytocannabinoids
pine bark
Polygonum
Puerarin
purple butterbur root
Pycnogenol
Rauvolfia
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
Rubiaceae
Rubus
rue
Salmon Oil
Sandalwood
Scabrous Gentian
Sensitive Plant
soursop
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
Spikenard
Swertia
Szechuan lovage
turmeric
ubiquinol
Uncaria
Valerian root
vitamin B6
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
Withanolides
Xanthine
Xanthone
Xanthophyll
Yuzu
Zinc
Zingerone

Products containing frankincense

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