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Shengma Maofeng Decoction (Cimicifugae Rhizoma Wind-Dispelling Decoction): Composed of Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma); assisted by Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Manjingzi (Vittaginis Fructus), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Doukou (Amomi Fructus Rotundus), Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix). Decocted with Gancao, Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex), Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba), Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), and Dazao (Jujubae Fructus), it can eliminate facial swelling and orbital pain.

Supplementary Discussion: The Yin meridians' qi flows to the neck and chest and returns, whereas only the Yang meridians' qi ascends to the head; therefore, the face is particularly resistant to cold. The Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian originates at the side of the nose, intersects at the forehead, enters the teeth, flanks the mouth, and circles the lips, ascending along the cheek to the front of the ear. Wind-heat invading the stomach leads to facial swelling. (Lung wind, freckles, see Surgical Department for formulas)

Headache that is not "True Headache" is often caused by Qi-fire deficiency-wind or phlegm-fire excess. If it is True Headache, the hands and feet turn blue/black, and if it occurs in the morning, death comes by evening (returning to the underworld). Jiawei Xionggui Decoction (Modified Ligusticum and Angelica Decoction) treats various pains.

Wonderful Formula for Treating Headache: Tufuling (Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma) 4 liang (avoid iron vessels), Jinyinhua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos) 3 qian, Manjingzi (Vittaginis Fructus) 1 qian, Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix) 8 fen, Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix) 1 qian, Tianma (Gastrodiae Rhizoma) 1 qian, Xinyihua (Magnoliae Flos) 5 fen, Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma) 5 fen, Heidou (Sojae Semen Nigrum) 49 grains, Dengxincao (Junci Medulla) 30 roots, Yacha (Tea Leaves) 5 qian. Decoct with 1.5 zhong each of river water and well water until reduced to 1 zhong, then take orally.

Qiangwu Tang (Notopterygium and Evodia Decoction): Qianghuo, Wuzhuyu (Evodiae Fructus), Mahuang, Shengma, combined with Huangbai, Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Chuanxiong, and Danggui, plus half dosage of Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma), Manjingzi, Honghua (Carthami Flos), and Cangzhu, can instantly relieve pain in the vertex and neck.

Single Herb Prescription: Naoyanghua (Rhododendri Mollis Flos) and Chuanxiong in equal parts. Grind into an extremely fine powder. For left-sided headache, insufflate into the left nostril; for right-sided headache, into the right nostril. After several sneezes clear nasal discharge, it will be cured.

Another Formula: Migraine or frontal headache is most pitiable; a recent miraculous formula cures chronic cases. Take one cow brain, Chuanxiong and Baizhi each 3 qian. Grind into a fine powder and apply to the brain/head area. Place the powder in a porcelain vessel, add wine, decoct, drink while hot, and consume as much wine as possible. Upon waking from drunkenness, the pain will vanish peacefully. (Another method uses pig brain)

Supplementary Discussion: Wang Jiezhai stated: For chronic headache triggered by slight exposure to wind-cold, there is internal heat stagnation with external cold manifestation. Since there is pre-existing internal heat and pores are often loose, wind easily enters, and cold constrains the heat, causing severe pain. People use acrid-dispersing agents which can disperse superficial cold pathogens, but using heat-promoting drugs exacerbates the underlying heat disease. One should purge fire and cool blood, assisted by acrid-warm herbs, so the pain heals and the root cause is eliminated.