Hangover Headacheaccording to TCM
Symptom families: Headaches, Alcohol-Related Conditions
Parent symptom: Hangover
What is Hangover Headache?
Hangover headaches, a dreaded aftermath of alcohol consumption, emerge as severe, pulsating discomfort often coupled with nausea and light sensitivity. These headaches typically occur once the intoxicating effects of alcohol wane, attributed to the body’s adjustment to alcohol's sedative withdrawal, dehydration, and the adverse effects of alcohol metabolites.
How Does TCM View Hangover Headache?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets hangover headaches as a symptom of disharmony caused by external toxins, particularly excessive alcohol intake. This imbalance leads to Heat and Dampness in the body, disrupting Qi and Blood harmony. Identifying the disharmony pattern, whether Heat accumulation or Qi Stagnation, is crucial for effective treatment in TCM.
Causes of Hangover Headache According to TCM
TCM attributes hangover headaches to Heat generated from alcohol consumption that attacks the Stomach and Spleen, or to Damp-Heat accumulation, affecting the body's equilibrium and manifesting as headache. Recognizing these patterns enables practitioners to devise targeted treatments to rectify the imbalance and alleviate symptoms.
TCM Herbs for Hangover Headache
To combat hangover headaches, TCM turns to herbs such as Kudzu Flowers (Ge Hua), recognized for their Sweet and Cool nature, targeting the Spleen and Stomach to clear Bright Yang Stomach Heat and Damp-Heat. The choice of herbs is meticulously tailored to the patient's specific TCM diagnosis, aiming to detoxify, harmonize, and rebalance the affected pathways.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that stop bleeding
Herbs that stop bleeding
Hangover headache can be treated by these herbs in cases where it is due to internal or external bleeding, working to stabilize and constrict blood flow.
One such herb is Kudzu Flowers (Ge Hua), which is directly recommended for hangover headache.