Cross-tradition comparison: how 7 medical traditions approach migraine.
7
Traditions
6
Treatments
2
Plants & Sources
8
Evidence
1
Shared Across Traditions
plants used independently by multiple traditions
Independent Discovery
1 plant was used independently by traditions that never met. 1 shared mechanism of action in the body.
Treatment Comparison
| Tradition | Treatment | Plant | How It Works | Evidence | Preparation | Dosage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Korean Traditional Medicine (Hanbang) | 작약 (Jak-yak) — Paeonia lactiflora / White Peony Root | Paeonia lactiflora | Smooth muscle antispasmodic (Ca2+ channel modulation), HMGB1/TLR4/NF-kappaB suppression, glucocorticoid receptor potentiation | Moderate | Decoction: 6-15g in compound formulas. Jak-Yak-Gam… | 6-15g in formula. Jak-Yak-Gam-Cho-Tang: 200ml deco… |
By Tradition
Headache in Korean medicine is classified by constitutional type and pattern. So-Yang types are prone to heat-rising headaches; Tae-Eum to dampness-phlegm headaches; So-Eum to cold-deficiency headaches.
Treatments (1)
작약 (Jak-yak) — Paeonia lactiflora / White Peony Root
Jak-yak (peony root) is a premier blood-nourishing and antispasmodic herb in Hanbang. Used for pain, menstrual disorders, and emotional conditions. The paeoniflorin-glycyrrhizin combination (Jak-Yak-Gam-Cho-Tang) is a classic Korean analgesic formula.
| Traditional Chinese Medicine | 天麻钩藤饮 (Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin) — Gastrodia and Uncaria Decoction | — | — | Moderate | Decoction: standard two-decoction method. Gou Teng… | One formula per day, divided into 2 doses |
| Ayurveda | ब्राह्मी (Brahmi) — Bacopa monnieri | — | — | Moderate | Swarasa (expressed juice): 10-20ml fresh juice. Ch… | 300-600mg standardized extract daily; or 3-6g whol… |
| Kampo (Japanese Traditional Medicine) | 抑肝散 (Yoku-Kan-San) — Restrain the Liver Powder | — | — | Moderate | Standardized extract granule: TJ-54. | Extract granule: 7.5g/day divided into 3 doses bef… |
| Unani Medicine | حب الغار (Habb al-Ghaar) — Bay Laurel Berry | Laurus nobilis | NF-kappaB/IKK-beta covalent inhibition (Michael addition at Cys179), STAT3 Tyr705 suppression, AP-1 inhibition, telomerase transcriptional downregulation | Very Low | Berry powder: 1-3g with warm water. Berry oil (Rog… | Internally: 1-3g powder once daily. Externally: oi… |
| Ancient Greek Medicine | Δάφνη (Daphne) — Bay Laurel | Laurus nobilis | NF-kappaB/IKK-beta covalent inhibition (Michael addition at Cys179), STAT3 Tyr705 suppression, AP-1 inhibition, telomerase transcriptional downregulation | Traditional | Decoction of leaves: 5-10g in 200ml water. Oil of … | Leaf decoction: 200ml twice daily. Oil: applied ex… |
Active Compounds
Contraindications
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Evidence (1)
Jak-Yak-Gam-Cho-Tang for functional abdominal pain: randomized controlled trial
Jak-Yak-Gam-Cho-Tang was non-inferior to trimebutine for abdominal pain reduction at 4 weeks. Antispasmodic effect confirmed by reduced colonic transit time. Paeoniflorin-glycyrrhizin synergy demonstrated pharmacologically.
Headache and dizziness caused by hyperactive Liver Yang ascending to the head, often on a foundation of Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency. The most common TCM pattern underlying migraine.
Treatments (1)
天麻钩藤饮 (Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin) — Gastrodia and Uncaria Decoction
Classical formula for Liver Yang Rising headache and hypertension. Tian Ma (Gastrodia elata) calms Liver wind; Gou Teng (Uncaria rhynchophylla) clears Liver heat and anchors Yang.
Contraindications
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Evidence (3)
Various TCM classical texts; systematic formulation analysis
Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin is one of the most frequently prescribed formulas for headache and hypertension in TCM. The combination of Tian Ma (calming wind) and Gou Teng (clearing heat, anchoring Yang) addresses the root mechanism of Liver Yang Rising.
Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin for migraine prophylaxis: randomized controlled trial
Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin showed comparable efficacy to flunarizine in reducing migraine frequency and severity over 12 weeks. Fewer adverse events in the herbal group. Significant reduction in serum calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) levels.
Chinese herbal medicine for migraine prophylaxis: systematic review of randomized trials
Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin-based formulas showed modest superiority over flunarizine and comparable effects to topiramate for migraine frequency reduction. Methodological concerns limit conclusions — most studies had unclear allocation concealment.
Shirahshula encompasses all types of headache. Charaka Samhita describes 11 types based on doshic involvement and location. Ardhavabhedaka (half-head splitting) correlates with migraine.
Treatments (1)
ब्राह्मी (Brahmi) — Bacopa monnieri
Brahmi is the premier Medhya Rasayana (intellect-enhancing rejuvenative) in Ayurveda. Charaka Samhita classifies it as the foremost herb for mental function. Used for anxiety, insomnia, cognitive decline, and headache.
Contraindications
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Evidence (1)
Bacopa monnieri for cognitive function and anxiety: randomized controlled trial
Bacopa improved cognitive function (attention, memory) and reduced anxiety and depression scores after 12 weeks. Significant improvement in headache frequency as secondary outcome.
Galen introduced the term hemicrania (ἡμικρανία) for unilateral headache, which became the etymological origin of 'migraine.' Attributed to bilious or melancholic vapors rising to one side of the head.
Treatments (1)
Δάφνη (Daphne) — Bay Laurel
Dioscorides describes Daphne (bay laurel) berries and leaves as warming and opening. Used for stomach complaints, respiratory conditions, and as an analgesic liniment.
Plants used
Active Compounds
Contraindications
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Evidence (1)
Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) in Mediterranean folk medicine: ethnobotanical survey of Greece and Turkey
Bay laurel oil applied to temples for headache remains a living folk practice across the Eastern Mediterranean, directly continuous with the Dioscoridean tradition. Leaf decoction for digestive complaints equally common.
Shaqiqa is the Unani term for unilateral headache (migraine), derived from the Arabic root meaning 'to split.' Ibn Sina provided a detailed classification of headache types in the Canon.
Treatments (1)
حب الغار (Habb al-Ghaar) — Bay Laurel Berry
Habb al-Ghaar is classified as Haar Yabis in the 3rd degree. Strong Musakhin (warming), Mufattih (opening), and Hazim (digestive). Ibn Sina prescribed it for digestive weakness, headache of cold origin, and neurological conditions.
Plants used
Active Compounds
Contraindications
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Evidence (1)
Efficacy of Roghan-e-Ghaar (bay laurel oil) topical application for Shaqiqa (migraine): clinical observations at Unani hospital
72% of patients reported at least 50% reduction in migraine frequency after 4 weeks of daily temple oil massage. Average pain intensity (VAS) reduced from 7.8 to 4.2. No control group limits interpretation.
Headache caused by Ki rebelliously ascending (Ki-Gyaku 気逆) to the head. The Kampo approach matches the headache pattern (Sho) rather than the headache type per se.
Treatments (1)
抑肝散 (Yoku-Kan-San) — Restrain the Liver Powder
Originally a pediatric formula, now one of the most researched Kampo medicines for neuropsychiatric conditions. Calms Ki-Gyaku (Ki reversal) from the Liver, reduces irritability, improves sleep. Widely studied for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).
Contraindications
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Evidence (1)
Yoku-Kan-San for tension-type headache with irritability: randomized open-label trial
Yoku-Kan-San reduced headache frequency from 14.2 to 7.8 days/month compared to 13.9 to 10.5 in the acetaminophen group at 8 weeks. Also significantly reduced associated irritability and muscle tension scores.
Also recognized by (1)
These traditions recognize this condition but we don't have treatment or evidence data for them yet.