Occipital headaches 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.
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Occipital headaches 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 occipital headaches 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 occipital headaches is often associated with sneezing, aversion to cold and runny nose in the pattern “Greater Yang Attack of Cold”. As you will see below, we have in record four patterns that can cause occipital headaches.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of occipital headaches we’ve identified five herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat occipital headaches.
The four "patterns of disharmony" that can cause occipital headaches
In Chinese Medicine occipital headaches is a symptom for 4 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Ephedra (Ma Huang) is the king ingredient for Ma Huang Tang, a formula used for Greater Yang Attack of Cold
Greater Yang Attack of Cold
Pulse type(s): Tight (Jin), Floating (Fu)
In addition to occipital headaches, other symptoms associated with Greater Yang Attack of Cold include sneezing, aversion to cold and runny nose.
Greater Yang Attack of Cold is often treated with Ma Huang Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Ephedra - Ma Huang - as a key herb). Ma Huang Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear wind-cold", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Releases exterior cold".
Japanese Catnip (Jing Jie) is the king ingredient for Jing Fang Bai Du San, a formula used for Wind-Cold
Wind-Cold
Pulse type(s): Tight (Jin), Floating (Fu)
In addition to occipital headaches, other symptoms associated with Wind-Cold include sneezing, aversion to cold and runny nose.
Wind-Cold is often treated with Jing Fang Bai Du San, a herbal formula made of 13 herbs (including Japanese Catnip - Jing Jie - as a key herb). Jing Fang Bai Du San belongs to the category of "external formulas for external disorders", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Releases the Exterior".
Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) is the king ingredient for Gui Zhi Tang, a formula used for Greater Yang Attack of Wind
Greater Yang Attack of Wind
Pulse type(s): Slow (Chi), Floating (Fu)
In addition to occipital headaches, other symptoms associated with Greater Yang Attack of Wind include sneezing, stiff neck and aversion to wind.
Greater Yang Attack of Wind is often treated with Gui Zhi Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Cinnamon Twigs - Gui Zhi - as a key herb). Gui Zhi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear wind-cold", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Releases pathogens from the muscle layer".
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
In addition to occipital headaches, other symptoms associated with Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency include headaches, dizziness and tinnitus.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Absence Of Menstruation, Menopausal Syndrome or Vaginal Itching.
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency is often treated with Zuo Gui Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Zuo Gui Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish yin and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes the Yin".
Five herbal formulas that might help with occipital headaches
Ma Huang Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Releases exterior cold. Treats wheezing.
Why might Ma Huang Tang help with occipital headaches?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Greater Yang Attack of Cold' of which occipital headaches is a symptom.
Cong Chi Tang
Source date: 3rd Centry
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Unblocks the Yang Qi (Defensive Qi) in the Exterior . Induces sweating .
Why might Cong Chi Tang help with occipital headaches?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Wind-Cold' of which occipital headaches is a symptom.
Huo Ren Cong Shi Tang
Source date: 1108 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Unblocks the Yang Qi (Defensive Qi) in the Exterior . Induces sweating .
Why might Huo Ren Cong Shi Tang help with occipital headaches?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Wind-Cold' of which occipital headaches is a symptom.
Gui Zhi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Releases pathogens from the muscle layer. Regulates the Nutritive and Protective Qi.
Why might Gui Zhi Tang help with occipital headaches?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Greater Yang Attack of Wind' of which occipital headaches is a symptom.
Zuo Gui Wan
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Yin. Strengthens the Kidneys. Fills the Essence. Augments the marrow.
Why might Zuo Gui Wan help with occipital headaches?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency' of which occipital headaches is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for occipital headaches
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat occipital headaches
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with occipital headaches?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat occipital headaches as a symptom, like Ma Huang Tang or Gui Zhi Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs.
Why might Japanese Catnip (Jing Jie) help with occipital headaches?
Because Japanese Catnip is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat occipital headaches as a symptom, like Jing Fang Bai Du San or Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang for instance.
Japanese Catnip is a Neutral herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Liver and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold or Heat depending on the other herbs used. Releases the Exterior for measles. Stops bleeding. Abates swellings.
Why might Szechuan Lovage Root (Chuan Xiong) help with occipital headaches?
Because Szechuan Lovage Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat occipital headaches as a symptom, like Jing Fang Bai Du San or Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang for instance.
Szechuan Lovage Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Gallbladder, the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches.
Why might Platycodon Root (Jie Geng) help with occipital headaches?
Because Platycodon Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat occipital headaches as a symptom, like Yin Qiao San or Sang Ju Yin for instance.
Platycodon Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Lung.
Its main actions are: Opens the Lungs and smoothes the flow of Lung Qi. Expels Phlegm and pus from the Lungs and throat, can be used for either Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat according to the other herbs in the formula. Directs the actions of other herbs to the Upper Warmer.
Why might Ephedra (Ma Huang) help with occipital headaches?
Because Ephedra is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat occipital headaches as a symptom, like Ma Huang Tang or Wu Ji San for instance.
Ephedra is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Bladder and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Releases the surface through sweating. Promotes the circulation of Lung Qi and stop wheezing. Promotes urination.
Other symptoms often associated with occipital headaches
Sneezing Aversion to cold Runny nose Stiff neck Headaches Chills Itchy throat Sore throat Fever Coughing