Headaches in Traditional Chinese Medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, headaches are not viewed as a single condition. Instead, headaches may arise from different patterns of imbalance, each requiring a different treatment approach.
The information below introduces some of the most common headache patterns recognized in TCM.
| Pattern | Key Symptoms | Treatment Principle | Traditional Formula | Food Therapy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind-Cold | Occipital headache, stiff neck, chills, nasal congestion, clear nasal discharge | Disperse Wind-Cold and relieve headache | Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San | Fresh ginger, green onion, peppermint, basil, fennel |
| Wind-Heat | Headache with swelling, sore throat, red eyes, thirst, yellow nasal discharge | Disperse Wind-Heat and relieve headache | Sang Ju Yin | Cucumber, mung beans, bamboo shoots, peppermint, spinach |
| Wind-Dampness | Heavy sensation in the head, body aches, joint pain, fatigue | Expel Wind, resolve Dampness, relieve pain | Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang | Job's tears, celery, orange peel, adzuki beans, tangerine |
| Liver Yang Rising | One-sided headache, dizziness, ringing in the ears, irritability, red complexion | Calm Liver Yang and extinguish Wind | Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang | Celery, duck egg, oyster, white fungus, egg yolk |
| Phlegm-Dampness | Headache with dizziness, heaviness, nausea, abundant sputum | Transform Phlegm and strengthen the Spleen | Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang | Ginger, celery, mustard seed, bamboo shoots, dates |
| Qi Deficiency | Chronic headaches worsened by exertion, fatigue, poor appetite, headaches relieved by rest | Tonify Qi and raise Yang | Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang | Yam, sweet rice, dates, chestnuts, squash |
| Blood Deficiency | Dull headache, dizziness, dry skin, fatigue, insomnia | Nourish Blood and soften the Liver | Si Wu Tang | Eggs, liver, grapes, cherries, longan fruit |
| Kidney Deficiency | Chronic headache with dizziness, tinnitus, low back weakness, fatigue | Tonify Kidney Essence and relieve pain | Shen Qi Wan | Black sesame seeds, walnuts, chestnuts, millet |
| Blood Stasis | Fixed, stabbing headache, history of trauma, chronic pain | Invigorate Blood and remove stasis | Tao Hong Si Wu Tang | Peach, saffron, basil, black soybeans |
Related Formulas
- Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San
- Sang Ju Yin
- Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang
- Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang
- Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang
- Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
- Si Wu Tang
- Shen Qi Wan
- Tao Hong Si Wu Tang