Facial pain according to Chinese Medicine
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Facial pain can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like facial pain here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here facial pain is often associated with epigastric pain, epigastrium fullness and feeling of heaviness in the pattern “Damp-Heat in the Stomach”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of facial pain we’ve identified two herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the three medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat facial pain.
Damp-Heat in the Stomach, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause facial pain
In Chinese Medicine facial pain is a symptom for the pattern "Damp-Heat in the Stomach". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Damp-Heat in the Stomach
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua)
In addition to facial pain, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat in the Stomach include epigastric pain, epigastrium fullness and feeling of heaviness.
Damp-Heat in the Stomach is often treated with Lian Po Yin, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Goldthread Rhizomes - Huang Lian - as a key herb). Lian Po Yin belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat and expel dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Heat".
Two herbal formulas that might help with facial pain
Lian Po Yin
Source date: 1862 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Transforms Dampness. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Middle Burner.
Why might Lian Po Yin help with facial pain?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Stomach' of which facial pain is a symptom.
Ge Hua Jie Cheng San
Source date: 13th century
Number of ingredients: 13 herbs
Key actions: Separates and reduces alcohol-dampness. Warms the Middle. Strengthens the Spleen .
Why might Ge Hua Jie Cheng San help with facial pain?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Stomach' of which facial pain is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for facial pain
The three Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat facial pain
Why might Kudzu Flower (Ge Hua) help with facial pain?
Because it is a key herb in Ge Hua Jie Cheng San, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Stomach' (a pattern with facial pain as a symptom)
Kudzu Flowers is a Cool herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Treats hangover and alcoholism. Stop bleeding.
Why might Goldthread Rhizome (Huang Lian) help with facial pain?
Because it is a key herb in Lian Po Yin, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Stomach' (a pattern with facial pain as a symptom)
Goldthread Rhizomes is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Large intestine, the Liver, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Expels Damp-Heat especially in the Lower Burner. Eliminates Fire toxicity especially when there is associated Dampness. Acts as a sedative by eliminating Heart Fire. Eliminates Stomach Fire. Expel parasites
Why might Houpu Magnolia Bark (Hou Pu) help with facial pain?
Because it is a key herb in Lian Po Yin, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Stomach' (a pattern with facial pain as a symptom)
Houpu Magnolia Bark is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Moves Rebellious Qi downward, dries Dampness and relieves Food Stagnation. Transforms Phlegm and redirects Rebellious Qi of the Lung.
Other symptoms often associated with facial pain
Epigastric pain Epigastrium fullness Feeling of heaviness Blocked nose Nausea Feeling of heat Dull-yellow complexion Sticky taste in the mouth