4 Types of Headaches in TCM: Causes and Herbal Remedies for Each

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) possesses a long history and extensive clinical experience regarding the understanding of headaches.

TCM posits that the onset of headaches is associated with the invasion of the body by external pathogenic factors—such as wind, cold, summer-heat, dampness, dryness, and fire—as well as internal factors, including emotional disturbances, improper diet, imbalance between work and rest, and dysfunction of the internal organs.

Based on these theories, TCM categorizes headaches into four common types: pain at the vertex (top of the head), pain on the side of the head, pain at the back of the head, and pain in the forehead.

Headache with Pain at the Vertex and Its TCM Herbal Remedy

Vertex headache refers to pain concentrated primarily on the top of the head; the severity can range from mild to intense.

TCM attributes pain at the vertex largely to factors such as excessive fire in the Liver and Gallbladder, Liver-Qi stagnation, and blood deficiency with wind-dryness.

Treatment focuses on clearing Liver fire, soothing the Liver to relieve stagnation, and nourishing the blood to extinguish wind.

Commonly used TCM herbal remedies and formulas for this type of headache include Longdan Xiegan Tang (Gentiana Decoction to Drain the Liver), Chaihu Shugan San (Bupleurum Powder to Soothe the Liver), and Siwu Tang (Four-Substance Decoction).

Additionally, external TCM therapies such as acupuncture and cupping can be employed to alleviate pain at the vertex.

Lateral Headache

Lateral headache refers to pain occurring primarily on one side of the head; it can be categorized as left-sided or right-sided headache.

In TCM, lateral headaches are often attributed to factors such as the upward disturbance of Liver and Gallbladder wind-fire, internal obstruction by phlegm-turbidity, and deficiency of Qi and blood.

Treatment focuses on clearing the Liver and purging fire, resolving phlegm and dispelling dampness, and replenishing Qi and nourishing blood.

Commonly used TCM formulas include Lingyang Jiao San (Antelope Horn Powder), Banxia Baizhu Tianma Tang, and Huangqi Jianzhong Tang.

Additionally, external TCM therapies such as acupuncture and cupping are effective in treating lateral headaches.

Occipital Headache

Occipital headache refers to pain occurring primarily in the back of the head; the severity can range from mild to severe.

In TCM, occipital headaches are often attributed to factors such as Kidney essence deficiency, lack of nourishment to the Governing Vessel (*Du Mai*), and invasion by wind, cold, and dampness pathogens.

Treatment focuses on tonifying the Kidney and replenishing essence, warming and unblocking the Governing Vessel, and dispelling wind and cold.

Commonly used TCM formulas include Liuwei Dihuang Wan, Danggui Niantong Tang, and Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang.

Additionally, external TCM therapies such as acupuncture and cupping can help alleviate pain associated with occipital headaches.

Forehead Headache

Forehead headache refers to pain occurring primarily in the frontal region; the severity can range from mild to severe.

In TCM, forehead headaches are often attributed to factors such as damp-heat in the Spleen and Stomach, wind-heat in the Lung meridian, and blazing Heart fire.

Treatment focuses on clearing heat and resolving dampness, ventilating the Lung and releasing the exterior, and clearing Heart fire.

Commonly used TCM formulas include Huoxiang Zhengqi San, Sangju Yin, and Huanglian Ejiao Tang.

Additionally, external TCM therapies such as acupuncture and cupping are effective in treating forehead headaches.