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Chinese Medicine & Chinese Herbs for Migraine Headache
Some Facts About Migraine Headache
Migraine Symptoms
Chinese Medicine View of a Migraine Headache
Acupuncture for Migraine Meadache
Migraine Research
Herbal Medicine for Migraine Headache
Email Consultation for Herbs for Migraine
FACTS ABOUT MIGRAINE HEADACHE
In the United States alone, almost one in ten people suffer from migraine headaches. Almost half of these suffer a migraine attack one or more times a month. Most migraine sufferers are women. One in four American women have migraine headaches, whereas only eight percent of migraine victims are men. It is said that only half of those afflicted have been correctly diagnosed.
MIGRAINE SYMPTOMS
A typical migraine headache may include all of the following symptoms:
Moderate to severe pain usually on one side of the head.
Pain that worsens with activity
- Nausea with or without vomiting
- Sensitivity to light and/or sound
Headache lasting from 4 to 72 hours
Visual disturbances (auras)
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CHINESE MEDICINE & MIGRAINE HEADACHE
Most migraines are diagnosed by practitioners of Chinese medicine to be Liver/ Gallbladder channel headaches. These energy channels are internally connected. The Liver channel or meridian has a branch that goes to the top of the head. The connecting Gallbladder channels wrap around the sides of the head. In the logic of Chinese medical theory, the Liver is easily overheated by toxicity or emotional constraint. The ensuing energy rises through these channels to the head causing congested flow and consequent pain.
The Gallbladder channel begins at the eyes and the organ system known as the Liver pertains to the eyes. Visual disturbances, common to migraine patients, are thus signs of Liver/ Gallbladder headaches.
Chinese medicine considers one-sided headaches to be Liver/ Gallbladder channel, or migraine, headaches.
MIGRAINE RESEARCH
Doctors have reported success with Chinese medical treatment of migraine headaches.
Doctors in Denmark found that acupuncture offers considerable benefits for migraine sufferers. Researchers studied 85 patients with migraine headaches in a randomised, double-blind study.
The patients were divided into two groups: the first group were given 17-weeks of acupuncture and placebo tablets and the second group were given placebo acupuncture stimulation and 100 mg of metoprolol daily.
The results revealed that both groups exhibited significant reduction in frequency of migraine attacks and there was no difference found between the two groups of patients in the average frequency or duration of migraine attacks. Though the severity of the attacks was found to be lower in the metoprolol group, this group also experienced many adverse side effects. The researchers concluded that acupuncture offers " a valuable supplement to the list of migraine prophylactic tools".
Hesse J; Mogelvang B; Simonsen H. Acupuncture versus metoprolol in migraine prophylaxis: a randomized trial of trigger point inactivation. Pain Clinic and Medical Department, Skodsborg Sanatorium, Denmark. Journal of International Medicine (ENGLAND) May 1994, 235 (5) p451-6
In a German study, migraine patients were randomly divided into two groups; one group received real acupuncture treatment on correct acupuncture points, the control group were given placebo treatment using superficial needle insertion on incorrect acupuncture points. All of the patients kept a diary of headaches for a year.
The results showed a significant therapeutic effect and marked decrease in migraines in the real acupuncture treatment group not observed in the placebo group. The researchers concluded that acupuncture ‘is a useful interval therapeutical agent for migraine sufferers’
(2)Weinschutz T.K.; Niederberger U.. Relevance of acupuncture in migraine therapy (Zum Stellenwert der Akupunctur in der Migranetheerapie) Klinik fur Neurologie, Christian-Albrechts-Universitat, Niemannsweg 147, D-24105 Kiel Germany Nervenheilkunde (Germany) , 1995, 14/5 A (295-301)
Herbal Treatment for Migraine
Migraine treatment protocols usually include herbs to soothe the Liver and restrain rising Liver Yang, Liver Heat, or Liver Fire. Some common herbs used include Bupluerum (chai hu), peony (bai shao), chrysanthemum (ju hua), dandelion (pu gong yin), oyster shell (mu li), and fossil bone (long gu)
Regular use of TIAN MA GOU TENG YIN WAN is often prescribed to prevent migraine headaches:
TIAN MA GOU TENG YIN WAN (1 week supply)
4-pack TIAN MA GOU TENG YIN WAN (1 month supply)
MIGRAINE HELP
E-MAIL CONSULTATIONS FOR Herbs for Migraine
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e-mail to: questions@drshen.com
Chinese Herbal Remedies
for Other Common Ailments
Information on this site is provided for educational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your own physician or other medical professional. Shen Herb Inc.makes no claims as to efficacy or safety of products appearing on this site. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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