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The head is located at the upper part of the body and serves as the convergence point for all Yang meridians. Its position is the highest, analogous to the peak of a mountain or the tip of a tree branch. When wind arises, the higher the position, the more violent the wind becomes. The mountain peaks and tree tips are the first to be affected by the wind; thus, clouds moving swiftly and leaves falling like rain are all caused by the wind. Since the head occupies the uppermost part of the human body, it is the first area exposed to Wind pathogenic factors. However, because it gathers the Qi of all Yang meridians, it is resistant to cold. Consequently, people often neglect this vulnerability and fail to take preventive measures. Once Wind pathogenic factors invade the head, pain ensues. Therefore, among headache symptoms, those caused by Wind account for the majority.

Why can Wind cause pain? This is because Wind, as a pathogenic factor, is characterized by its mobility and rapid changes. Its nature allows it to easily penetrate the body, and its Qi easily resonates with external environments. The Yang meridians in the head gather internally to resist Wind, while Wind attacks from both inside and outside to counteract Yang Qi. Wind and Yang engage in conflict, neither yielding, fighting at the highest level, until the meridians of the head begin to suffer disease. Even with the strength of all Yang meridians, prevailing against Wind is difficult; how much more so for Yin?

Headaches arising from Qi deficiency and Blood deficiency, although rooted in the insufficiency of the original essence, are essentially caused by Wind pathology. Wherever there is deficiency, pathogens tend to converge. Without the invasion of Wind, one would merely experience dizziness (Xuan Yun), not pain. It is precisely because Qi and Blood are already deficient and lack the strength to repel Wind that, although Wind enters, it does not provoke a vigorous struggle, resulting in less intense pain.

Headaches caused by undigested food and surging Phlegm-Saliva rising upwards are not due to Wind. These cases require careful differentiation and treatment.

*Nei Jing* states: "A short pulse at the Cunkou (radial artery) indicates headache." *Mai Jing* states: "A wiry Yang pulse confirms headache without doubt." *Mai Jue* states: "Headache with a short and choppy pulse suggests a fatal prognosis; however, if the pulse is floating and slippery, indicating Wind-Phlegm, it is easy to treat."

**Qing Dian Yi Huo Tang (Clear the Vertex and Suppress Fire Decoction)**: Treats headaches due to Blood deficiency, as well as lateral and central headaches (Tou Feng).
Ingredients: *Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix* (Gaoben), *Angelicae Sinensis Radix* (Danggui), *Rehmanniae Radix* (Shengdi), *Chuanxiong Rhizoma* (Chuanxiong) (each 2 qian); *Saposhnikoviae Radix* (Fangfeng), *Viticis Fructus* (Manjingzi), *Coptidis Rhizoma* (Huanglian), *Gypsum Fibrosum* (Shigao), *Paeoniae Radix Alba* (Baishao), *Angelicae Dahuricae Radix* (Baizhi) (each 1 qian).
Administration: Add five stalks of scallion white (*Congbai*) and three slices of ginger (*Shengjiang*). Decoct and take orally.

**Qian Yi Yi Xiao San (Thousand Gold Laughing Away Powder)**: Treats various types of headaches and all forms of Tou Feng.
Ingredients: *Asari Radix et Rhizoma* (Beixixin), *Ginseng Radix* (Renshen), *Gnaphalii Herba* (Qinjiao), *Chrysanthemi Flos* (Ganjuhua) (each 1.5 qian); *Angelicae Dahuricae Radix* (Baizhi), *Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma* (Gancao), *Angelicae Sinensis Radix* (Danggui), *Menthae Haplocalycis Herba* (Bohe) (each 2 qian).
Administration: Add five stalks of scallion white (*Congbai*). Decoct and take orally.

**Kong Qing San (Empty Azure Powder)**: Treats lateral and central headaches that have persisted for years without resolution. Also treats headaches in the head and brain caused by Cold-Dampness, Wind-Dampness, Heat-Dampness. Note: Not suitable for patients with Blood deficiency who should avoid *Chuanxiong*.
Ingredients: *Chuanxiong Rhizoma* (Chuanxiong) (5 qian); *Bupleuri Radix* (Chaihu) (7 qian); *Coptidis Rhizoma* (Huanglian) (processed with wine); *Saposhnikoviae Radix* (Fangfeng), *Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix* (Qianghuo) (each 1 liang); *Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma* (Gancao) (1.5 liang); *Scutellariae Radix* (Huangqin) (3.5 liang, half raw, half processed with wine).
Administration: Grind all ingredients into a fine powder. Take 2 qian per dose, mixed with clear tea water.

**Qianghuo Fuzi Tang (Notopterygium and Aconite Decoction)**: Treats headaches caused by cold invading the brain during winter, as well as toothache. This condition is named "Nao Feng" (Brain Wind).
Ingredients: *Ephedrae Herba* (Mahuang), large *Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata* (Da Fuzi), *Saposhnikoviae Radix* (Fangfeng), *Angelicae Dahuricae Radix* (Baizhi), *Bombyx Batryticatus* (Bai Jiangcan) (each 6 fen); *Phellodendri Cortex* (Huangbai), *Atractylodis Rhizoma* (Cangzhu), *Astragali Radix* (Huangqi), *Petasitae Herba* (Fo'ercao), *Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma* (Gancao) (each 1 qian); * Cimicifugae Rhizoma* (Shengma) (3 fen).
Administration: Decoct in water and take warm.

**Dian Yan Dan (Eye-Dotting Cinnabar Pill/Powder)**: Treats all types of headaches, colic in the heart and abdomen. Also treats intestinal twisting sand (Jiao Chang Sha), intestinal qi pain, and hernia pain.
Ingredients: *Natrii Sulfas* (Yaxiao) (2 qian); *Moschus* (Shexiang), *Cinnabaris* (Zhusha), *Realgar* (Xionghuang) (each 5 fen).
Administration: Grind into a fine powder and store in a porcelain jar. Upon onset of illness, dip a silver hairpin into the powder and apply to the inner canthus of both eyes. Effect is immediate.

**Ling Su San (Spiritually Swift Powder)**: Treats all types of headaches, providing instant relief.
Ingredients: Fine tea (1 liang, decocted in two zhong of water until half remains, strain); *Angelicae Dahuricae Radix* (Baizhi), *Asari Radix et Rhizoma* (Xixin), *Gleditsiae Sinensis Fructus* (Ya Zao), *Perillae Folium* (Zisu), *Menthae Haplocalycis Herba* (Bohe) (each 3 qian).
Administration: Decoct until七分 (70% volume remains) and take.

When Wind pathogenic factors invade the Taiyang Meridian, pain occurs at the hairline, the pulse is floating and tight, and there is aversion to wind and cold. Use *Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix* (Qianghuo) as the sovereign herb, with *Chuanxiong Rhizoma*, *Cimicifugae Rhizoma*, *Angelicae Dahuricae Radix*, *Saposhnikoviae Radix*, and *Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma* as ministers and assistants.

When Wind pathogenic factors invade the Yangming Meridian, pain occurs in the forehead, accompanied by nasal pain. The pulse is floating and moderate, with fever and aversion to cold. Use *Angelicae Dahuricae Radix* (Baizhi) as the sovereign herb, with *Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix*, *Cimicifugae Rhizoma*, *Chuanxiong Rhizoma*, and *Saposhnikoviae Radix* as ministers and assistants.

When Wind pathogenic factors invade the Shaoyang Meridian, pain occurs between the temples and at the frontal angle. The pulse is wiry, with alternating fever and chills. Use *Bupleuri Radix* (Chaihu) as the sovereign herb, with *Chuanxiong Rhizoma*, *Cimicifugae Rhizoma*, and *Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix* as ministers and assistants.

When Wind pathogenic factors invade the Shaoyin Meridian, the skull feels tight and painful. Use *Asari Radix et Rhizoma* (Xixin) as the sovereign herb, with *Angelicae Pubescentis Radix* (Duhuo), *Saposhnikoviae Radix*, *Phellodendri Cortex*, and *Angelicae Dahuricae Radix* as ministers and assistants.

When Wind pathogenic factors invade the junction of the Jueyin and Taiyin meridians, pain occurs at the vertex of the head. Use *Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix* (Gaoben) as the sovereign herb, with *Cimicifugae Rhizoma*, *Chuanxiong Rhizoma*, *Gleditsiae Sinensis Fructus*, and *Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma* as ministers and assistants.