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Headache caused by food stagnation results from the upward attack of food qi, leading to a lack of clarity in stomach qi. Zhang Zihe stated: "When pathogenic factors are in the stomach and cause headache, purgation must be used." This condition is necessarily accompanied by chest and diaphragm fullness, acid regurgitation into the throat, belching with an odor of rotten eggs, or severe pain after overeating; the pulse is slippery and excessive on the right hand.

Scholar Zhang, an official in the library, indulged in wine and lived unrestrainedly. He suddenly developed headache and fever. Physicians treated it as Taiyang disease (Exterior Syndrome), but his condition worsened. Sun Zhao palpated his pulse, finding it very rapid on the right hand and peaceful on the left, and said: "This is not Taiyang disease; it is an injury caused by the scholar's fondness for wine and food." He then administered five to seven pills of *Shi Yao Wan* (Food-Digesting Pill). After a considerable time, the diaphragm gradually relaxed, and the pain subsided. Subsequently, administering medicines to benefit the diaphragm brought him relief.

Hong Wan Zi (Red Pill) [Formula see section on Diet]

Zhi Zhong Tang (Regulate Middle Decoction) is Li Zhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) added with equal parts of Qing Pi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) and Chen Pi (Aurantii Pericarpium).

Headache due to blood deficiency occurs when blood deficiency leads to empty vessels, and qi/blood attacks upward from the Yutou point (Hairline at the temple), causing headache. This syndrome is common postpartum. The Yutou point is located near the hairline behind the outer canthus of the eye. (The Yutou point is in the depression behind the end of the eyebrow, which is the Sizhukong acupoint, EX-HN4.)

Chuanxiong Danggui Tang (Ligusticum and Angelica Decoction): Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong) and Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) in equal parts.
Grind into fine powder. Take two qian per dose, decoct with water, and take warm.

Another prescription: Chuanxiong (Ban liang) ground into powder. Take two qian per dose, mixed with aged tea; this is very effective.

Another prescription: Danggui (Yi liang) boiled with one sheng of wine until reduced to Liu he; drink until intoxicated for effect.

Another prescription: Si Wu Tang (Four Substance Decoction) added with Ganju (Flos Chrysanthemi Indici) and Bohe (Herba Menthae Haplocalycis).

(Newly Formulated Prescription)
Disheng (Radix Rehmanniae Preparata) (2 qian), Danggui (1 qian), Manjing (Fructus Viticis Expensae) (0.5 qian), Huangqin (Radix Scutellariae Baicalensis) (1 qian, stir-fried with wine), Baishao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) (1 qian, stir-fried with wine), Zhi Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata) (0.3 qian), Ganju (0.7 qian), Chuanxiong (0.5 qian).

Headache due to qi deficiency arises because clear yang qi is deficient and fails to ascend. The pulse must be wiry and faint. Symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, aversion to wind and cold, and inability to eat.

Luo Taiwu once said: "Counselor Bai Zhongshi, in his sixties, suffered from unbearable headache in February. I was invited to examine him. He stated that recently in Yanjing, he had experienced dizziness, mental cloudiness, and slight headache. Physicians treated it as Taiyang disease; after sweating, the pain increased. After another attempt to resolve via sweating, the pain became even worse, so he returned home. Every physician prescribed similar medications. Now, the pain is so severe he cannot lie down comfortably; he is averse to wind and cold, dislikes food and drink. Palpating his pulse, it is wiry, faint, and thin; his qi is short and hurried, and he is reluctant to speak. The *Neijing* states: 'In spring, diseases manifest in the head.' This year, the heavenly qi is high and weak; clear qi cannot ascend to the head and face, hence the dizziness and cloudiness. This illness originally had no exterior pathogen. Because of multiple sweat-inducing treatments, the clear yang qi was further depleted, failing to nourish upwards and secure the exterior. Thus, the head suffers pain, and there is aversion to wind and cold, dislike of diet, weak and short qi. It is appropriate to raise yang and tonify qi; the headache will heal itself."

Huangqi (Radix Astragali Membranacei) (1.5 qian), Renshen (Radix Ginseng) (1 qian), Baizhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), Danggui, Baishao (each 0.5 qian), Chenpi, Zhi Cao, Shengma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae), Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri), Manjing (each 0.3 qian), Chuanxiong, Xixin (Herba Asari) (each 0.2 qian).
Cut the herbs into pieces. Prepare as one dose. Decoct with water, take warm after meals. Reduce the dose by half initially; upon subsequent administration, recovery ensues.

(Newly Formulated Prescription)
Renshen, Huangqi, Baizhu (each 1 qian), Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis) (0.5 qian), Danggui, Chenpi (each 0.7 qian), Shengma (0.2 qian), Manjing, Xi Cha (Fine Tea) (each 0.8 qian), Baishao (1 qian).
Prepare as one dose and decoct with water.