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In Chinese medicine, headaches are typically due to some type of Liver disharmony. There are many different types of headaches in Chinese medical diagnosis and making a distinction between the multitudes of possible syndromes helps to have a successful treatment plan.

The most common Liver disharmony is Liver Qi Stagnation. The Liver is most happy when it has abundant Liver Blood flowing through it keeping it nourished and cool. The Liver is also pacified with the free and easy movement of Qi and Blood circulating throughout. Use our Free and Easy Wanderer Formula to relieve Liver Qi Stagnation.

If the Liver Blood becomes deficient, or if the Blood and Qi stagnate in the Liver, the Liver begins to heat up and become agitated. As this condition becomes chronic, the Liver can strike out at other organs, such as the Heart causing insomnia, or the Large Intestine causing digestive disorders such as IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).

As in nature, heat in the body rises. In the case of Liver Heat, the Heat can rise through the meridians (or channels) and Liver heat often rises through the Gall Bladder channel. The Liver and Gall Bladder channels are connected and the Gall Bladder channel traverses the occipital area of the skull (the base of the skull) and the head itself ending at the temples. This is why Liver Heat Rising is one of the most common diagnostic patterns for headaches in Chinese medicine.

While immediate relief can be gained by anti-inflammatory medications and other pain killers, ultimately the root of the problem, Liver Qi Stagnation, must be addressed for long term relief. In Chinese medical theory, health is not simply the absence of pain and disease, health is the complete restoration of all of the organ systems and the free flow of Qi and Blood. This can be accomplished in many ways such as acupuncture/acupressure, nourishing Tonic herbs, a healthy lifestyle and Qi Gong exercises.

Herbs for Immediate Relief of Headaches:
Feverfew
Wild Lettuce
Meadowsweet
Willow Bark
Heal All
Topical Oils for Headaches
Olive oil infused with Yarrow, Mullein, & Chamomile.
Essential oils of:
Lavender
Mint (diluted)

Herbs that repair the Liver:

Bupleurum-chai hu
Soothes Liver energy and relieves congestion when the Liver Qi is stagnated.

Paeonia lactiflora-bai shao-White peony
Moistens and soothes the Liver while building and purifying blood.

Cyperus rotundus-xian fu
Moves Qi in the body and spreads Liver Qi.

Silybum marianum-Milk Thistle Seed
Improves liver regeneration and builds Liver Yin.

Medico sativa-Alfalf Leaf
Nourishes the blood and tonifies Liver Yin.

Rumex Crispus-Yellow dock root
Reduces Liver congestion and clears damp heat.

Foeniculum vulgare-xiao hu xiang-Fennel Seed
Fennel is a versatile herb that spreads Liver Qi.

Polygonum multiflorum-he shou wu - fo ti
Supports proper Liver function.

Taraxacum officinalis-pu gong ying-Dandelion
An important herb for detoxification clearing Liver Fire

Gentian longdancao-long dan cao
One Stimulates the flow of bile, drains damp heat from the Liver and clears Liver Fire.

Prunella Vulgaris-xia ku cao-Heal All
Clears Liver Fire, reduces headaches, detoxifies.

Healthy Emotions
Emotionally, Liver Qi stagnation presents itself with anger, frustration, stress, depression and often a feeling of being “stuck? The Liver is actually responsible for the free and easy flow of Qi throughout the body and is critical in correcting any disharmony of blood circulation or the counter flow of Qi in the body, such as Acid Reflux.

Healthy Eyes
The Liver opens into the eyes and whenever treating eye problems such as night blindness, blurred vision, cataracts, color blindness, redness, pain or itching of the eyes, the Liver must first be addressed.

Joint Heath
The Liver governs the sinews and the Liver Blood is responsible for nourishing tendons. Therefore, the Liver must be nourished to avoid stiffness in the joints and is central in the treatment of arthritis.

Hormonal Health
The Liver regulates menstruation and is responsible for the smooth flow of menstruation. Liver Qi Stagnation causes PMS, mood swings, irregular bleeding, cramps, and distention association with menstruation and peri-menopause. Along with the Kidney system, proper Liver function maintains hormonal balance and is always addressed in cases of fertility and reproduction.