Modern day headache categories such as migraine headaches, cluster headachs, stress headaches, or vascular headaches don't give us a clue as to the real causes and are not useful categories in determining proper herbal treatment. TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) concepts allow an understanding of the causes and also point to the cure.
Headaches fall into two general categories, Excess Headache and Deficiency Headaches. Both result in the diminished flow of qi and blood in the head. Poor flow is experienced as pain.
Excess headache is caused by an excess of qi and/or blood in the upper body resulting in congested or stuck flow in the head.
Though an excess headache could be caused by a concussive injury, more commonly it is caused by an oversupply of qi in the upper body. This oversupply is usually due to "Heat Rising" in the body
Heat provoking events like anger, frustration, stress, or ingesting alcohol or spicy foods can cause this problem, and will make these ailments worse.
COMMON HEADACHES & ALTERNATIVE HERBAL MEDICINES
Beyond asprin, acetominaphine, and ibuprofin, there are alternative medicines that may cure as well as relieve pain. Alternative Chinese medicine is best taken under the guidance of a trained Chinese herbalist. However, if you can't find one nearby, the following alternative medicines will do no harm if taken incorrectly. To find acupuncturists and Chinese herbologists near you go to http://acupunctureamerica.com
One-Sided Headache, Occipital headache, Headache behind the eyes, or Pain at the Vertex (top of the head)
Liver & Gall Bladder Heat Rising - The Liver, is sensitive to the emotional environment. Anger, constraint, frustration and tension heat up the Liver. Drugs, alcohol, and other substances also agitate the Liver. Even our own cells' waste matter, when not well diluted by the Blood, can create a kind of toxic heat. In nature, heat rises. Since our bodies are nature, Heat will rise there as well. Heat generated by anger, frustration, or toxicity will rise along the Liver Channel affecting the eyes or the head. Heat may easily diverge to the Gall Bladder Channel, affecting the side of the head. Usually a one-sided or migraine headache is considered a Liver/Gall Bladder headache. This condition sometimes includes chronic neck and shoulder tension as well.
Useful medicines for this kind of headache are to combine Tian Ma Gouteng Wan, and Xiao Yao Wan (Free & Easy)
Frontal or Occipital Headaches
Sinus Headaches - Damp accumulations in the head produce swollen tissue and painful frontal headaches that are generally unrelieved by conventional anti-inflammatory drugs. Damp conditions also provide a breeding ground for many microrganisms. This leads to a condition known as Damp Heat, also known as sinus infection.
If you can't find a Chinese herbalist near you, try combining Tian Ma Gouteng Wan and Dr. Shen's Sinus & Nose Pills.
Frontal Headache, Facial Pain, Toothache,
Stomach Fire - Caused by stagnation which can result from overindulgence, eating at bedtime, over consumption of spicy food, and other causes. In these cases heat will rise along the path of the Stomach Channel, affecting the front of the head or face. Headaches associated with nausea, toothache or painful gums often fall into this category. Hangover headaches are caused by a combination of Liver and Stomach excess.
The ultimate remedy for hangover is Dr. Shen's Stomach Curing Pills.
Headache Behind the Eyes
This kind of headache, if it is long term and includes fatigue, can be related to Liver Gallbladder Headache (see above) but may be caused by Liver Yin deficiency. Best to add Ming Mu Di Huang Wan
Whole Head Headache or Headache with Cold or Flu
Wind Cold, Wind Heat, Wind Damp - Wind caused headache is due to an invasion from outside the body, like a cold, flu or overexposure to the elements. Here the pathogenic (illness causing) element enters the surface of the upper body and obstructs the normal flow of Qi in the skin and muscle layers, thus causing pain. These headaches often precede or accompany colds, flu, or other diseases cause by airborne organisms. These headaches are commonly associated with the Urinary Bladder Channel, affecting the back of the head (occipital region)
The Chinese patent formula Chuan Xiong Chai Ta Wan is often effective for this condition. Headache caused by fever of cold or flu is often best combined with Zong Gan Ling.
Deficiency Headaches, Blood or Qi Deficiency
Whole Head Headache, headache with weakness, Headache following Menstral period
occur when the head is under nourished by Blood or Qi. These headaches are usually chronic and recurrent and are more common in women. They are often accompanied by fatigue, and may get worse just after menses when there is less blood available in the head, as the available blood must be used in the lower body.
Long term use of Women's Precious Pills (Eight Treasures) combined with Tian Ma Gouteng Yin is recommended.
A consultation consists of several e-mail exchanges resulting in an herbal prescription, treatment plan and possibly other suggestion.
Consultations do not include the cost of herbs.
In your first e-mail, briefly describe yourself. Mention your gender, age, occupations, symptoms (including how long you've had them for) and any Western diagnosis.
List the medicines you use and occasions when you have been hospitalized for any reason.
Attachments such as photos or videos are OK, but not necessary.
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