Abstract:Objective: To evaluate the clinical effects of 5 kinds of tianma Chinese herbs products on episodic tension type headache. Methods: According to the diagnostic criteria of the International Headache Society, 287 patients with episodic tension type headache were randomly divided into six groups. In 5 tianma Chinese herb groups, the patients in each group were given pure natural tianma capsule, tianmatoufengling, tianmashouwu tablet, tianmaduzhong capsule, and tianma pilula, respectively for 2 months. The patients in control group were given naoliqing pilula for 2 months. The degree of severity, the frequency of attacks and the duration of headache were observed and recorded. Results: At the end of the trial, 225 patients were administrated tianma Chinese herbs. The total rate of these 225 patients showing effectiveness was 81.8%, which was significantly higher than that of control group, 41 patients showed no response to tianma Chinese herbs. No adverse reaction was seen in all patients. There is significant difference about the effects of 5 tianma Chinese herbs products on the symptoms of the patients with episodic tension type headache. Conclusion: Tianma Chinese herbs is a safe and effective drug in treating patients with episodic tension type headache. There is significant difference in the therapeutic effects of tianma Chinese herbs on tension type headache as compaiced to the control group. A moderate difference was found between 5 tianma groups.