The Headache Tree (aka. Agnimantha, Arni; Premna integrifolia) is a woody shrub or small tree in the Lamiaceae family, with opposite to whorled leaves and small greenish‑white, often ill‑scented flowers. It is native of the tropical and subtropical areas of India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, and surrounding islands.
The stems have been historically used during the Vedic period for producing sacred fire, giving the plant a ritual and cultural role. The alkali extracted from the ash of the bark is used traditionally in ascites, showing a specific processing-based application beyond simple decoction.
➡️ In Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani, The Headache Tree is a key component of the famed “Dashamula” group of ten roots and is used for disorders of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems, inflammatory conditions, respiratory complaints, and digestive weakness.
Roots are described as bitter, heating, carminative, and cardiotonic, and are given for anemia, fevers, asthma, bronchitis, skin diseases, constipation, liver disorders, and general debility.
Leaves are used as galactagogues and for colds, fevers, gonorrhea, beriberi, wound washing, infant baths, and as external applications for piles and tumors, showing its role as a broadly acting household remedy.
In veterinary, leaves are also used as washes for wounds and to control ectoparasites like ticks and fleas on animals.
The active constituent olivil was identified as a potent bioactive with high binding affinity to GRIA2 and ADRB2 receptors, surpassing levodopa in binding stability. This suggests potential modulation of synaptic transmission and neuronal excitability.
Olivil also showed strong inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), enzymes linked to cholinergic and dopaminergic dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases.
Through scientific investigation, The Headache Tree has been reported to show analgesic/antinociceptive, anti‑arthritic, antibacterial, anticancer/antitumor, anti‑inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti‑obesity/hypolipidemic, antioxidant, antiparasitic, antiulcer, cardioprotective, CNS‑depressant, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, immunomodulatory, longevity‑promoting, and neuroprotective activities.
One preclinical study found the methanolic bark extract (MEPI) to significantly reduce locomotor activity (suggesting CNS‑depressant action), decreased acetic‑acid‑induced writhing and formalin‑induced licking (analgesic effects), and inhibited carrageenan‑induced paw edema by over 70%, approaching the efficacy of indomethacin.