Symptom families: Head Conditions and Symptoms, Headaches
Parent symptom: Headaches
Frontal headaches, characterized by pain in the front of the head, can range from mild to severe. These headaches may present as a pressing or throbbing sensation above the eyes or across the forehead and are common in the general population.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), identifying a pattern is key to tailoring treatment to the individual's unique health condition. It considers the illness's cause, nature, and location, ensuring that remedies target the root issue rather than just symptoms.
This approach is central to TCM's holistic strategy, guiding dietary advice, acupuncture, and herbal prescriptions for comprehensive healing and balance. Understanding patterns is thus fundamental for effective, personalized care in TCM.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, frontal headaches are often attributed to the pattern of Stomach Heat or Fire. This pattern describes an imbalance where excessive Heat accumulates in the Stomach, leading to symptoms such as sharp, throbbing frontal headaches, redness in the face, irritability, dry mouth, and possibly nausea.
The Stomach, in TCM, is responsible for receiving and breaking down food and when its function is disrupted by Heat, it can lead to the rising of this Heat to the head, manifesting as a frontal headache.
Explore below more details about what might cause Frontal headaches according to TCM.
In TCM "Heat" signifies an excess of Yang energy, leading to an imbalance where heat predominates over the body's cool Yin aspects. This condition is metaphorically akin to an internal over-heating. Symptoms indicative of Heat can include feelings of warmth, fever, sweating, irritability, red face, thirst with a preference for cold drinks, and a rapid pulse. The tongue may appear red with a yellow coating. Unlike the common interpretation of heat in terms of temperature, in TCM, it represents a state of hyperactivity or inflammation in the body.... see more
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Stomach Heat or Fire | Frontal headache, Upper abdominal burning pain, Excessive thirst, Craving for cold beverages, Restlessness, Dry stools, Dry mouth, Mouth ulcers, Acid reflux, Nausea, Vomiting after eating, Excessive hunger, Bad breath, Feeling of heat, Acne... see more | Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang | Qing Wei San | Xie Huang San | Fei Er Wan | Hua Ban Tang |
In TCM the Stomach is regarded as the "sea of nourishment," pivotal for digesting food and transforming it into Qi and blood. It works closely with the Spleen to distribute these essential nutrients throughout the body. When the Stomach is out of balance or malfunctions in TCM, it often leads to digestive problems such as bloating, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, or a feeling of fullness. There may also be issues like acid reflux or a sour taste in the mouth. Emotionally, an imbalanced Stomach can contribute to excessive worry and overthinking, reflecting the TCM belief that physical and emotional well-being are deeply interconnected.... see more
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Stomach Heat or Fire | Frontal headache, Upper abdominal burning pain, Excessive thirst, Craving for cold beverages, Restlessness, Dry stools, Dry mouth, Mouth ulcers, Acid reflux, Nausea, Vomiting after eating, Excessive hunger, Bad breath, Feeling of heat, Acne... see more | Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang | Qing Wei San | Xie Huang San | Fei Er Wan | Hua Ban Tang |
For treating frontal headaches caused by Stomach Heat or Fire, TCM practitioners might recommend cooling and purging formulas. An example is the classic formula Bai Hu Tang, which includes herbs such as Gypsum (Shi Gao) to clear Heat, and Licorice root (Gan Cao) to harmonize the formula and protect the Stomach.
Accompanying dietary adjustments and lifestyle changes are also encouraged to support the treatment and prevent further aggravation of Heat.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address frontal headaches, organized by cause and by formula type.
Suitable for Heat patterns that may cause frontal headaches, such as Stomach Heat or Fire
Learn moreFormula | Patterns Suitable For |
---|---|
Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang | Stomach Heat or Fire |
Qing Wei San | Stomach Heat or Fire |
Xie Huang San | Stomach Heat or Fire |
Fei Er Wan | Stomach Heat or Fire |
Hua Ban Tang | Stomach Heat or Fire |
These formulas are suitable for some frontal headaches-causing patterns like Stomach Heat or Fire.
One such formula is Qing Wei San, with goldthread rhizome as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
---|---|
Qing Wei San | Stomach Heat or Fire |
Xie Huang San | Stomach Heat or Fire |
These formulas are suitable for some frontal headaches-causing patterns like Stomach Heat or Fire.
One such formula is Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang, with rhubarb as a key herb.
These formulas are suitable for some frontal headaches-causing patterns like Stomach Heat or Fire.
One such formula is Fei Er Wan, with quisqualis fruit as a key herb.
These formulas are suitable for some frontal headaches-causing patterns like Stomach Heat or Fire.
One such formula is Hua Ban Tang, with gypsum as a key herb.
TCM also suggests acupuncture as a way to alleviate frontal headaches. Key acupoints for treating Stomach Heat would include LI-4 (Hegu) to circulate Qi and relieve pain, ST-44 (Neiting) which is known to cool down Heat specifically in the Stomach Channel, and GB-20 (Fengchi) to dispel Wind-Heat that can often accompany Stomach Fire. Consistent treatment can help in not only relieving the headache but also in addressing the underlying Stomach Heat.
Explore below some acupoints used to address frontal headaches, organized by meridian.
At the junction of the dorsum of the foot and leg, between the tendons of extensor digitorum and the extensor hallucis longus muscle. Approximately at the level of the tip of the external malleolus.
Proximal and inferior to the head of the 1st metatarsal bone, at the border of the red and white skin.
When the patient looks straight forward, Yuyao EX-HN-4 is located directly above the pupil, in the midline of the eyebrow.