Chinese herbs and herbal treatments have been used for thousands of years to treat everything from a skin rash to cardiovascular issues and emotional or mental traumas. Known today as Chinese Traditional Medicine, many of the thousand-year-old treatments utilizing herbs or mixtures of herbs are still used today. Chinese medicine treats the body according to patterns that define type of pain and overall feelings and appearance. CTM practitioners believe that headaches are caused by a variety of patterns, each with have different treatments. Chinese herbs used for tension headaches are one of thousands of effective and beneficial remedies individuals can take advantage of that often provide relief without the need for prescription medication.
Wind Cold Patterns
Chuan xiong is also known as ligustici wallichii, an herb that has long been used to treat sproadic pain. It is believed to treat aversions to cold temperatures or those that worsen in windy conditions. A tincture or tea of the stems or buds of Jing jie, known as schizonepetae, as well as the root Fang feng may also be prescribed.
Wind Heat Pattern
Pounding headaches are blamed on aversion to warm temperatures, often treated with Bai zhi, or actractylodis (angelica) a root, or Ja hua, or chyrsanthenum. Chyrsanthenum flower tea is especially soothing and beneficial in relieving tension headaches.
Phlegm Retention Pattern
Dull and aching tension headaches are also often blamed on excess weight or a diet heavy in fatty or sweet foods. Common Chinese herbs to treat such headaches under these conditions include Ban xia, known as pinelliae, Chen Pi, or citri reticulatae (aged tangerine peel) and Bai zhu, or atractylodis (angelica).
