Kuding tea, derived from the leaves of Ilex kudingcha or Ligustrum robustum, has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is primarily consumed for its purported benefits in clearing heat, dispersing wind, and alleviating headaches, including those resembling migraines. The TCM framework attributes migraines and headaches to imbalances such as "wind-heat" or "liver yang rising," and Kuding tea is thought to address these by its cooling and anti-inflammatory properties according to traditional theory.

However, there is minimal scientific research directly evaluating Kuding tea for migraine management. While some laboratory studies have documented anti-inflammatory or analgesic effects of Kuding tea, these studies are not specific to migraines, nor do they provide clinical evidence. No high-quality clinical trials have investigated its efficacy or safety for migraine prevention or treatment. Therefore, the use of Kuding tea for migraine relief is rooted in traditional practice rather than scientific validation. Overall, the strength of evidence for Kuding tea's use in treating migraines is low, with support based primarily on traditional use rather than robust clinical research.