Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Damp Heat Headache

Damp heat headache can be treated by clearing away heat and dampness, relieving wind and relieving pain in traditional Chinese medicine, mainly including Chinese herbal decoction, acupuncture and moxibustion, cupping, diet conditioning, acupoint massage, etc. Damp heat headache is often caused by external dampness and heat evil qi or internal dampness and heat accumulation in the spleen and stomach, often accompanied by symptoms such as heavy head, chest tightness, nausea, and yellow and thick tongue coating.

1. Traditional Chinese Medicine Soup

Commonly used formulas for clearing heat and removing dampness in damp heat headaches, such as Sanren Tang and Ganlu Disinfection Pill. San Ren Tang is composed of almonds, white coquettish kernels, and Job's tears kernels. It can promote qi circulation, clear dampness and heat, and is suitable for patients with headaches accompanied by chest tightness and abdominal pain. Ganlu Disinfection Pill contains ingredients such as talc and Artemisia scoparia, which have the effect of dispelling dampness and removing turbidity. It has a significant effect on patients with heavy head and thick tongue coating. Clinically, Huanglian Wendan Tang can also be used with modifications. This formula contains medicinal herbs such as Huanglian and Pinellia ternata, which can clear heat and phlegm, harmonize the stomach and stop vomiting. The use of traditional Chinese medicine should be diagnosed and treated by a Chinese medicine practitioner, and self medication should be avoided.

2. acupuncture and moxibustion therapy

acupuncture and moxibustion mainly selects Baihui, Fengchi, Hegu and other acupoints. Baihui acupoint is located in the center of the head, and acupuncture can enhance clarity and reduce turbidity; Fengchi acupoint is located at the lower edge of the occipital bone and can dispel wind and clear heat; Hegu acupoint has the effect of unblocking meridians and relieving pain. Additional acupoints such as Yin Ling Quan and Feng Long can be used to strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness. Adopting the technique of tonifying and relieving diarrhea, keep the needle for 20 minutes, once a day. For headache of damp heat accumulation type, acupuncture and moxibustion can regulate the movement of qi and blood, and promote the elimination of damp pathogens. During treatment, avoid exposure to wind and cold, and keep the acupuncture site clean and dry.

3. Cupping therapy

can eliminate dampness in the body by walking through the bladder on the back. The commonly used location is along the line from the great vertebra to the waist yang guan, combined with the back shu points such as the lung shu and spleen shu. Apply an appropriate amount of lubricating oil before leaving the can, use the flash fire method to absorb and push along the meridians until the skin is flushed. This therapy uses negative pressure stimulation to dilate local capillaries and accelerate the elimination of metabolic waste. The effect is significant for patients with damp heat headache accompanied by shoulder and back stiffness. Patients with skin damage or high fever should not have cupping, and bathing is prohibited within 4 hours after treatment.

4. Dietary adjustment

It is recommended to eat moisture reducing ingredients such as mung beans, Job's tears, and winter melon. Green beans can be boiled into soup for consumption and have the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying; Job's tears and yam Congee can strengthen the spleen and infiltrate dampness; Boiling winter melon with its skin in water has a diuretic and dehumidifying effect. Avoid foods that are fatty, sweet, thick, spicy, and stimulating, such as fried foods, chili peppers, alcohol, etc., which can easily promote dampness and heat. You can drink Huoxiang Peilan tea. Take appropriate amounts of Huoxiang and Peilan as tea substitutes, which can help to aromatize and remove turbidity. The diet should be light and easy to digest, with small and frequent meals to avoid overeating and exacerbating the burden on the spleen and stomach.

5. Acupoint massage

Press the temple and Fengchi acupoints for 3 minutes each day to relieve symptoms. The temple is located at the midpoint of the line connecting the tip of the eyebrow and the outer corner of the eye. Use your thumb to massage it in a circular motion; Fengchi acupoint can be rubbed with both thumbs at the same time. Combining the manipulation of the shoulder well acupoint and the kneading of the valley acupoint can enhance the effect. Massage intensity should be based on the feeling of sourness and bloating, avoiding excessive force. When a damp heat headache occurs, cool oil can be applied to the temples to assist in pain relief. Drinking warm water before and after massage promotes the excretion of metabolic products. Long term desk workers can do neck relaxation exercises once an hour. Patients with damp heat headache should keep their residence ventilated and dry, and avoid humid environments. In summer, a dehumidifier can be used to control indoor humidity below 60%. Regular sleep patterns can help balance qi and blood, and it is recommended to go to bed before 11 pm every night. Moderate exercise such as Ba Duan Jin and Tai Chi can promote the circulation of qi and blood, but excessive sweating should be avoided. During the treatment period, observe changes in the nature of the headache. If vomiting, blurred vision, etc. occur, seek medical attention promptly. Regular follow-up visits are needed to adjust the treatment plan, and even after symptom relief, consolidation and adjustment for one month are still necessary to prevent recurrence. Daily use of substitute tea drinks such as chrysanthemum and cassia seed can prevent the accumulation of dampness and heat.