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Shunqi Hezhong Decoction (Smooth Qi and Harmonize Middle Decoction) from *Baojian* treats conditions in the elderly with weak constitution, where clear Yang fails to ascend, causing dizziness and stuffiness in the head and face. There is no exterior pathogen initially; however, due to multiple instances of sweating therapy, the Clear Yang Qi becomes further deficient. Consequently, there is severe headache, aversion to wind, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, and a pulse that is weak, wiry, thin, and minute. The treatment should focus on raising Yang Qi.

Ingredients: Huangqi (Astragali Radix, 1.5 qian), Renshen (Ginseng Radix, 1 qian), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba, 0.5 qian), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 0.7 qian), Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix, each 0.3 qian), Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma), Manjingzi (Vittariae Spora, each 0.2 qian).

Crush the ingredients into one dose, decoct with water, and take after meals.

Note: This formula is a modification of Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction). For headaches caused by internal injury, add Manjingzi 0.3 qian; for severe pain, add Chuanxiong 2 qian; for occipital or brain pain, add Gaoben (Ligustici Jingwei Rhizoma) 0.2 qian; if suffering from intense headache, add Xixin 0.2 qian. These four herbs are sufficient for various types of headaches. If there is heat in the head, this formula is not suitable; instead, use a clearing-heat formula.

Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) from *Jiyao* treats headache: Double the amount of Chuanxiong in Siwu Tang.

Yuanrong's ancient prescription treats splitting headache: Danggui (2 liang, boiled with 1 sheng of wine until 6 he remains).

Note: Both of these formulas belong to the Jueyin channel medication category.

Nasal Snuffing Formulas

*Banshi Fang* treats eight types of wind-headache: Caowu Jian (Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix Lateralis Preparata tip) and Xixin (each equal parts), along with a small amount of Huangdan (Minii Oxidum). Grind into fine powder and insufflate into the nose for immediate effect.

Secret Recipe treats unbearable headache: Yanhusuo (Corydalis Rhizoma, 7 pieces), Zhuya Zaojiao (Gleditsiae Fructus, 2 plump ones), Qingdai (Indicum). Grind into powder, make pills with water into small cakes the size of apricot kernels. When using, have the patient lie supine, dissolve the cake with water, and insert it into the nostril using a bamboo tube (left for males, right for females). When the medicinal sensation reaches the throat with a slight sour taste, have the patient sit up and bite a copper coin between the front teeth. Recovery occurs when saliva flows out like a basin.

*Sanyin Fang* nasal snuffing medicine: Biba (Long Pepper Fruit), Liangjiang (Galangal Rhizome, each 1 fen), Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, 1 qian), Xixin (0.5 qian). Grind into powder. Take a small amount ("Xiao Zi"), first hold a mouthful of water, then insufflate into the nose. Stop when clear water is expelled.

*Mizang* Yujin San (Curcuma Powder) for nasal snuffing treats wind-heat headache: Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas), Baizhi (each 2 qian), Yujin (Curcumae Radix, 1 qian), Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba, 0.3 qian). Grind into extremely fine powder. Hold water in the mouth and insufflate the powder into the nose.

Note: This belongs to the Yangming channel medication.

Taiyang Channel Sneezing Medicine: Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix, 2 fen), Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix, 2 fen), Hongdou (Adenophorae Radix, 2 pieces). Grind into powder and insufflate into the nose.

Yuanrong's Nasal Snuffing Gou Ti San (Momordica Seed Powder) treats chronic migraines unresponsive to oral medication and acupuncture, caused by dampness in the head. Use only Gou Ti (Momordicae Fructus), grind into powder, and blow a small amount into the nose. Wait for clear fluid to drain slowly. Continue until all dampness is exhausted within one day and night, at which point the illness stops.

Note: Regarding the above snuffing medicines, Yuanrong stated they also possess the meaning of inducing vomiting. The Classic says: "Dampness located above should be treated by bitter vomiting." Thus, pathogens in the chest are expelled via oral emetics, while pathogens in the head and eyes are expelled via nasal snuffing inducing rhinorrhea; both belong to the category of vomiting. Zhang Zihe’s methods of inducing tears by eye stimulation, rhinorrhea by nasal snuffing, and salivation by holding liquid in the mouth all share the same principle as vomiting.

Topical Application Formulas

Powders from *Banshi Fang* or *Sanyin Fang* mixed with scallion white, pounded into a paste, applied to both foreheads.

Miscellaneous Formulas

Yan Shi's Congfu Wan (Scallion and Aconite Pill) treats headache caused by deficiency and stagnation of Original Qi attacking upwards: Fuzi (Prepared Aconiti Lateralis Radix, one piece, processed, skin and umbilicus removed). Grind into powder, bind with scallion juice into pills the size of paulownia seeds. Take on an empty stomach with tea infusion.

Yuzhen Wan treats Ren Jue (Kidney Reversal) headache, unbearable, with a pulse that feels wiry upon light palpation and firm upon heavy pressure: Sheng Liuhuang (Native Sulphur, 2 liang, separately ground), Shigao (hard Gypsum Fibrosum), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma, washed ten times in boiling water), Xiaoshi (Natrii Nitras, separately ground, each 1 liang). Grind into powder, mix evenly. Cook paste using fresh ginger juice, form into pills the size of paulownia seeds. Take 40 pills before meals with rice drink.

Note: Ancient treatments for headache mostly discussed wind pathogens. Therefore, although drugs vary in being acrid-neutral, acrid-cool, acrid-warm, or acrid-hot, they generally aim to disperse pathogens while distinguishing accompanying cold or heat.

Regarding headache caused by Shanghan (Cold Damage), Zhang Zhongjing’s treatises discuss it in detail, so it is not repeated here. However, for headaches caused internally by Phlegm-Jue, Qi deficiency, or Blood deficiency, although Li Dongyuan has discussions and formulas, students should examine the pathology according to the specific condition and apply medication accordingly. One cannot rigidly stick to recorded formulas to exhaust all variations. Furthermore, Yan Shi used Fuzi for Qi-deficiency headache and Liuhuang for Ren Jue headache, originally derived from *Sanyin Fang*. Their rationale is not entirely precise; thus, they are preserved here merely for reference.