Migraine in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different migraine patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Migraines are a type of headache characterized by intense, throbbing pain, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Unlike typical headaches, migraines can be debilitating and may require specific triggers to be identified and managed. They are not just intense headaches but a neurological condition that can significantly impact daily life.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perceives migraines as a disturbance in the body's harmony, resulting from an imbalance of Yin and Yang energies. In TCM, identifying the specific 'pattern' of disharmony is crucial for treatment. A pattern is not just a single symptom but a constellation of signs and bodily responses.
Understanding the underlying pattern in migraines, such as Blood Stagnation or Liver Qi Stagnation, helps TCM practitioners to tailor treatments that restore balance, rather than just alleviating symptoms.
Herbal Formulas for Migraine
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address migraine
Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
Traditional formula for migraine
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind
- Releases the Exterior
- Drains Heat
- Unblocks the bowels
Fu Zi Tang
Traditional formula for migraine
Main Actions
- Warms the Meridians
- Assists the Yang
- Dispels Cold
- Transforms Dampness
Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang
Traditional formula for migraine
Main Actions
- Induces sweating
- Dispels Dampness
- Expels Wind-Cold
- Clears Interior Heat
Ma Huang Tang
Traditional formula for migraine
Main Actions
- Releases exterior cold
- Treats wheezing
Ma Huang Xi Xin Fu Zi Tang
Traditional formula for migraine
Main Actions
- Tonifes the Yang
- Releases the Exterior
Suan Zao Ren Tang
Traditional formula for migraine
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Blood
- Calms the Mind and eliminates irritability
- Clears Heat
Tao He Cheng Qi Tang
Traditional formula for migraine
Main Actions
- Dispels Heat and
- Eliminates Blood Stagnation
Wu Ling San
Traditional formula for migraine
Main Actions
- Promotes urination,
- Warms the Yang
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Promotes Qi transformation function
- Drains Dampness
- Clears edema
Xiao Chai Hu Tang
Traditional formula for migraine
Main Actions
- Treats the Lesser Yang Channels (Gallbladder and Triple Warmer)
- Regulates the Liver and Spleen functions
- Addresses combined Yin-Yang symptoms of External and Internal, Excess and Deficiency, and Hot and Cold
Xiao Jian Zhong Tang
Traditional formula for migraine
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach)
- Tonifies Qi
- Relieves spasmodic pain
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Traditional formula for migraine
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood
- Dispels blood Stagnation
- Spreads the Liver Qi
- Unblocks the channels
Yue Ju Wan
Traditional formula for migraine
Main Actions
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Releases all types of Stagnation (Qi, Blood, Phlegm, Fire, Food and Dampness)
Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San
Traditional formula for migraine
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind
- Relieves headaches
Wu Zhu Yu Tang
Traditional formula for migraine
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies the Liver and Stomach
- Directs Rebellious Qi downward
- Stops vomiting
Gan Mai Da Zao Tang
Traditional formula for migraine
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Heart
- Calms the Mind
- Harmonizes the middle burner
- Relaxes tension