Synopsis

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

Rauvolfia species, particularly Rauvolfia serpentina, have a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, especially in Ayurveda and other South Asian practices. The plant's roots have been traditionally used for a variety of ailments, including hypertension, anxiety, and as a sedative. Its use for migraine and other headache disorders is primarily based on these traditional practices, where it was believed to calm the nerves and reduce the intensity or frequency of headache attacks.

The principal alkaloid in Rauvolfia, reserpine, is known for its antihypertensive and sedative effects. Some older medical texts and anecdotal reports suggest it was prescribed for migraine relief, likely because of its effects on the nervous system and blood pressure. However, rigorous scientific studies specifically evaluating Rauvolfia or its alkaloids for migraine prevention or treatment are extremely limited or lacking. The available evidence does not meet modern standards for efficacy in migraine management. Furthermore, Rauvolfia and reserpine are associated with significant side effects, such as depression and hypotension, which limits their current clinical use.

In summary, Rauvolfia's use for migraine is justified primarily by traditional and historical usage rather than robust scientific validation. Modern clinical guidelines do not recommend it for migraine, and its risk profile outweighs the uncertain benefits based on current knowledge.

More about Rauvolfia
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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
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swertia
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chrysanthemum
soursop
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5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
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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 Rauvolfia

Anxiety
Hypertension
Insomnia
Migraine
Schizophrenia
Stress

Products containing Rauvolfia

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