Quick Facts
Headache in Traditional Chinese Medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, headache is organised by pattern rather than by location alone. Liver Fire, Blood stasis and Wind-Heat are among the patterns that may present with head pain. Differentiation considers whether the pain is distending and with irritability, fixed and stabbing, or accompanied by fever and sore throat, and whether the onset is acute or chronic. Classical formulas are matched to these pattern distinctions.
TCM Patterns Associated With Headache
The same presentation may be understood through more than one pattern. Pattern differentiation weighs the accompanying signs, not the symptom on its own.
| Pattern | Common Features | Related Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Wind-Cold風寒證Exterior Patterns | Chills that outweigh the fever, no sweating, a stuffy or runny nose with clear discharge, an itchy or scratchy throat rather than a sore one, body aches, and a cough with thin white phlegm. Symptoms often start abruptly after exposure to cold or wind. Tongue with a thin white coating; pulse floating and tight. | |
| Wind-Heat風熱證Exterior Patterns | Fever that is more noticeable than chills, mild sweating, sore throat, thirst, and a cough that may be dry or with yellow phlegm. The onset is often abrupt after exposure to wind or heat. Nasal discharge can turn yellow, and the face may look flushed. Tongue tip red with a thin yellow coating; pulse floating and rapid. | |
| Lung Heat肺熱證Heat Patterns | Cough with yellow or sticky phlegm, thirst, a feeling of heat in the chest, and possible shortness of breath or flaring of the nostrils in stronger presentations. Fever may be present without marked chills, and the throat can feel sore or dry. Tongue red with a yellow coating; pulse rapid, possibly slippery. | |
| Phlegm-Dampness痰濕證Phlegm Patterns | Copious white or sticky phlegm, a heavy chest or head, and a greasy tongue coating. There may be nausea, poor appetite, and a foggy or heavy mental feeling that worsens in damp weather or after rich food. Coughing brings up phlegm that is hard to clear completely. Tongue pale with a thick greasy white coating; pulse slippery. | |
| Stomach Heat胃熱證Heat Patterns | Burning or discomfort in the epigastrium, thirst with preference for cold drinks, bad breath, and a tendency toward constipation or dry stools. The gums may feel swollen or sore, and appetite can be strong yet unsettled. Tongue red with a yellow coating, possibly dry in the centre; pulse slippery and rapid. | |
| Heart Fire心火證Heat Patterns | Restlessness, insomnia with vivid dreams, a red tip of the tongue, and sores on the tongue or mouth in stronger cases. There may be a bitter or dry mouth, dark scanty urine, and a sense of heat in the chest. The person feels agitated rather than merely tired. Tongue red at the tip; pulse rapid, possibly forceful. | |
| Liver Fire肝火證Heat Patterns | Irritability, a bitter taste in the mouth, redness of the eyes or face, and distending headache or rib-side discomfort. Sleep may be restless with vivid dreams, and the person often prefers cool drinks. Constipation or dark urine can appear when heat is stronger. Tongue red with a yellow coating; pulse wiry and rapid. | |
| Dampness濕阻證Damp Patterns | A heavy, sluggish body feeling, abdominal fullness, sticky sensation in the mouth, and reduced appetite. Stools may be sticky or incomplete, and the person often feels worse in humid weather. There can be oedema of the limbs or a greasy facial sheen. Tongue with a thick greasy white coating; pulse soft or slippery. | |
| Blood Stasis血瘀證Stagnation Patterns | Fixed, stabbing or piercing pain that does not move freely, often worse at night or with pressure. The complexion may look darker or purplish, and in women the menstrual flow can be dark with clots. Lips or nails may appear dusky. Tongue dark or with purple spots or congested veins under the tongue; pulse choppy or wiry and hesitant. | |
| Yang Deficiency陽虛證Deficiency Patterns | Aversion to cold, cold limbs, preference for warm drinks and clothing, and low energy that worsens in cold weather. There may be loose stools, clear copious urine, a pale puffy face, and reduced libido or lumbar weakness. The person feels better with warmth and worse with cold exposure. Tongue pale and possibly swollen with a white coating; pulse deep and weak. |
Classical Formulas Traditionally Associated
Associated with 32 classical formulas
Listed for study. Which formula fits, if any, depends on the pattern rather than the symptom.
Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
天麻鉤藤飲 · Tiān Má Gōu Téng Yǐn
Liver FireLiver-Wind Extinguishing FormulasZhen Gan Xi Feng Tang
鎮肝熄風湯 · Zhèn Gān Xī Fēng Tāng
Liver FireLiver-Wind Extinguishing FormulasXue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
血府逐瘀湯 · Xuè Fǔ Zhú Yū Tāng
Blood StasisBlood-Invigorating FormulasYin Qiao San
銀翹散 · Yín Qiào Sǎn
Wind-HeatExterior-Releasing FormulasMa Huang Fu Zi Xi Xin Tang
麻黃附子細辛湯 · Má Huáng Fù Zǐ Xì Xīn Tāng
Yang DeficiencyExterior-Releasing FormulasDa Qing Long Tang
大青龍湯 · Dà Qīng Lóng Tāng
Wind-ColdExterior-Releasing FormulasJing Jie Lian Qiao Tang
荊芥連翹湯 · Jīng Jiè Lián Qiáo Tāng
Wind-HeatExterior-Releasing FormulasWu Zhu Yu Tang
吳茱萸湯 · Wú Zhū Yú Tāng
Yang DeficiencyYang-Tonifying FormulasCang Er San
蒼耳子散 · Cāng Ěr Zǐ Sàn
Wind-ColdExterior-Releasing FormulasBai Du San
敗毒散 · Bài Dú Sàn
Wind-ColdExterior-Releasing FormulasJing Fang Bai Du San
荊防敗毒散 · Jīng Fáng Bài Dú Sàn
Wind-ColdExterior-Releasing FormulasXin Yi San
辛夷散 · Xīn Yí Sàn
Wind-ColdExterior-Releasing FormulasJiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang
九味羌活湯 · Jiǔ Wèi Qiāng Huó Tāng
Wind-ColdExterior-Releasing FormulasPu Ji Xiao Du Yin
普濟消毒飲 · Pǔ Jì Xiāo Dú Yǐn
Wind-HeatHeat-Clearing FormulasXin Yi Qing Fei Tang
辛夷清肺湯 · Xīn Yí Qīng Fèi Tāng
Lung HeatHeat-Clearing FormulasChuan Xiong Cha Tiao San
川芎茶調散 · Chuān Xiōng Chá Tiáo Sàn
Wind-ColdExterior-Releasing FormulasYu Nv Jian
玉女煎 · Yù Nǚ Jiān
Stomach HeatHeat-Clearing FormulasQing Wei San
清胃散 · Qīng Wèi Sàn
Stomach HeatHeat-Clearing FormulasBan Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang
半夏白朮天麻湯 · Bàn Xià Bái Zhú Tiān Má Tāng
Phlegm-DampnessPhlegm-Resolving FormulasFang Feng Tong Sheng San
防風通聖散 · Fáng Fēng Tōng Shèng Sàn
Wind-HeatExterior-Releasing FormulasChai Ge Jie Ji Tang
柴葛解肌湯 · Chái Gé Jiě Jī Tāng
Wind-HeatExterior-Releasing FormulasQiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang
羌活勝濕湯 · Qiāng Huó Shèng Shī Tāng
DampnessWind-Damp Dispelling FormulasAn Gong Niu Huang Wan
安宮牛黃丸 · Ān Gōng Niú Huáng Wán
Heart FireOrifice-Opening FormulasGou Teng San
鉤藤散 · Gōu Téng Sǎn
Liver FireLiver-Wind Extinguishing FormulasQing Shang Fang Feng Tang
清上防風湯 · Qīng Shàng Fáng Fēng Tāng
Wind-HeatHeat-Clearing FormulasWu Yao Shun Qi San
烏藥順氣散 · Wū Yào Shùn Qì Sǎn
Qi StagnationQi-Regulating FormulasChai Hu Qing Gan Tang
柴胡清肝湯 · Chái Hú Qīng Gān Tāng
Liver FireHeat-Clearing FormulasTong Qiao Huo Xue Tang
通竅活血湯 · Tōng Qiào Huó Xuè Tāng
Blood StasisBlood-Invigorating FormulasXi Gan Ming Mu San
洗肝明目散 · Xǐ Gān Míng Mù Sǎn
Liver FireHeat-Clearing FormulasYou Bi Tang
優鼻湯 · Yōu Bí Tāng
Wind-ColdExterior-Releasing FormulasShi Shen Tang
十神湯 · Shí Shén Tāng
Wind-ColdExterior-Releasing FormulasXiang Su San
香蘇散 · Xiāng Sū Sǎn
Qi StagnationExterior-Releasing FormulasLearn More About Headache
Related Health Topic
Pain & Mobility — Formulas that invigorate blood, dispel wind-damp, and ease joint and muscle discomfort.
Health Topic
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does Traditional Chinese Medicine understand headache?
In TCM, headache (头痛) arises when Qi and Blood fail to nourish the head, or pathogenic factors obstruct the clear Yang from rising. External Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat, Liver Yang rising, Phlegm-Damp, Blood stasis, and Qi or Blood deficiency can all cause pain in different locations and qualities. The Liver, Kidney and Spleen are frequently involved.
What are the common TCM patterns of headache?
Frequent patterns include Wind-Cold (tight occipital pain, aversion to wind), Wind-Heat (distending pain with feverishness), Liver Yang rising (throbbing temporal or vertex pain with irritability), Phlegm-Damp (heavy, foggy head), Blood stasis (fixed stabbing pain), and Qi-Blood deficiency (dull pain worse with exertion). Accurate pattern differentiation determines the treatment approach.
How does TCM regulate headache?
The main principles are to dispel Wind, soothe the Liver and subdue Yang, resolve Phlegm, invigorate Blood, or tonify Qi and Blood according to the pattern. Formulas such as modifications of Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San, Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin or Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang may be considered. Acupuncture and lifestyle adjustment are also important. Internal treatment should be guided by a qualified TCM practitioner.
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This library is educational. It describes how Traditional Chinese Medicine has traditionally understood these presentations. It is not a diagnosis, and it is not a treatment recommendation.
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