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

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Phthalides are a group of natural compounds predominantly found in certain medicinal plants, most notably Ligusticum chuanxiong (Szechuan lovage) and celery. Their use in supporting or treating migraine is primarily rooted in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), where extracts from these plants have long been used to address headaches and related vascular disorders. In TCM, Ligusticum chuanxiong is a classic remedy included in formulations such as "Chuanxiong Chatiao San" for the relief of headaches, including migraines.

While there is some laboratory and preclinical evidence indicating that phthalides may exert vasodilatory, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects, robust clinical evidence in humans remains limited. A few small-scale studies and reviews suggest that extracts containing phthalides may help modulate blood flow and reduce neurogenic inflammation, which are relevant mechanisms in migraine pathology. However, these findings are preliminary and do not rise to the level of large, high-quality randomized controlled trials.

Overall, the use of phthalides for migraines is justified more by traditional use and empirical application rather than by a strong base of scientific validation. Therefore, the evidence supporting its use in migraine treatment is rated as 2 out of 5, reflecting limited but suggestive data, and a reliance on historical practice.

More about Phthalides
More about Migraine

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 Phthalides

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