A few months ago, I went to a traditional Chinese medicine doctor in Bangkok, Thailand, where I live. One of my Thai friends had been suffering from severe headaches for weeks and, like most Chinese Thais, she prefers to use Chinese medicines natural remedies where possible, rather than over-the-counter western medications, which she swears don’t work and have lots of side effects.
Chinese medicine has many different types of natural medicines that are used for headaches or migraines. From herbs to diet modifications and acupuncture, depending on what type of headache or migraine you have will depend on what a Chinese medicine specialist prescribes for you.
Acupuncture – Depending on the type of headache you have, whether it’s because of too much Qi or too little (Qi is energy), will depend on which pressure points are used in an acupuncture treatment. Instead of masking the symptom, which is what western medicine does, acupuncture actually treats the symptom and, in many cases, cures the headache or migraine.
My Thai friend has had several acupuncture treatments for headaches over the years, and has had far more success with them than she has with over-the-counter drugs. Her Chinese Medicine practitioner also tells her which foods to eat and which to avoid to make sure her headaches don’t return.
If you suffer from headaches or migraine and want to try acupuncture as a remedy, consult a licensed acupuncturist.
Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao Wan – If you have a headache or migraine that’s due to sitting in a draft or being out in a high wind, many Chinese medicine practitioners will prescribe Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao Wan pills.
These are a pill made from various herbs that are supposed to be drunk with green tea, as compounds in the green tea make the Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao Wan pills more effective. Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao Wan pills are also effective at clearing sinus problems.
If your Chinese medicine practitioner prescribes Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao Wan pills, he will tell you how many to take and how many times per day. Follow his/her instructions carefully, as part of the effectiveness of this Chinese remedy is consistently following the treatment at specific times.
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan – Made from various herbs typical in Chinese medicine, including Chinese liquorice root and ginseng root, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan pills are prescribed for headaches that result because of Qi deficiency. This usually leaves the patient feeling weak and tired and with a dull constant headache.
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan works to help aid digestion and sensitivity to cold, and through this helps cure the headache or migraine.
Again, follow the instructions from your Chinese medicine practitioner precisely and you should see an improvement very quickly.
Nu Ke Ba Zhen Wan – Nu Ke Ba Zhen Wan is usually prescribed when the headache gets worse after hunger or, for women, during their periods as Chinese medicine practitioners believe its because of a weakness in the blood. Nu Ke Ba Zhen Wan pills work to clean the blood and stabilize the Qi.
With Nu Ke Ba Zhen Wan pills though, if you’re in the middle of your menstrual cycle, don’t take the pills until your cycle ends.
You can order Chinese medicine over the Internet but I don’t recommend it. That is because a Chinese medicine doctor or practitioner is trained in how to specifically diagnose the cause for the headache or migraine you have. If you self-diagnose, you’ll likely get it wrong and end up buying Chinese medicine that simply isn’t going to work.
Additional Reading:
Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao Wan pills – Discovery Health
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan – Active Herb
