Migraine — TCM Food Therapy & Dietary Approach

This falls within the categories of one-sided head wind (Pian Tou Feng) and headache, with the liver as the primary site and involvement of the spleen and kidney.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Patterns

In TCM, this concern is differentiated into several patterns, each with a classical herbal formula:

Liver Yang Rising

Formula: Tianma Gouteng Yin (Gastrodia and Uncaria Decoction) — from *Zhong Yi Nei Ke Za Bing Zheng Zhi Xin Yi*

Wind-phlegm harassing the upper orifices

Formula: Banxia Baizhu Tianma Tang (Pinellia, Atractylodes Macrocephala and Gastrodia Decoction) — from *Yi Xue Xin Wu*

Blood Stasis Obstructing the Collaterals

Formula: Tongqiao Huoxue Tang (Orifice-Opening Blood-Invigorating Decoction) — from *Corrections of Errors in Medical Classics*

External contraction of wind-cold

Formula: Chuanxiong Chatiao San (Ligusticum and Tea Powder) — from *Formulary of the Bureau of the People's Welfare Pharmacies*

Liver Fire Flaming Upward

Formula: Longdan Xiegan Tang (Gentiana Decoction to Drain the Liver) — from *Yi Fang Ji Jie*

These formulas are for reference under TCM syndrome differentiation and should only be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.

Food Therapy & Diet

Dietary Therapy Recipes

Gastrodia Stewed with Pig Brain: gastrodia tuber 10 g, 1 pig brain; steam (double-boil) until cooked.
Gastrodia and Chuanxiong Fish Head Soup: half a silver carp head, gastrodia tuber 5 g, Sichuan lovage root 5 g.
Gastrodia and Tangerine Peel Congee (for phlegm-dampness type): gastrodia tuber 100 g, Chinese yam 25 g, tangerine peel 20 g, rice 150 g.
Chuanxiong Boiled Eggs (for wind-cold type): 2 eggs, 5 scallions, Sichuan lovage root 6 g.
Pork and Prunella Soup (for liver-yang hyperactivity type): lean pork 50 g, selfheal spike (Xia Ku Cao) 6-24 g.
Peach Kernel Steamed with Pig Brain (for blood-stasis type): 1 pig brain, peach kernel 5 g.

Dietary Principles

Favor light food and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and calcium.
For deficiency patterns, favor hen, pork, pig liver, eggs, longan, and lotus seed.
A modest amount of light green tea is acceptable.
Avoid tobacco, alcohol, rooster, crab, shrimp, and other triggering foods, as well as pungent, yang-raising foods.
Avoid high-tyramine foods (coffee, chocolate, cheese, alcohol).

Understanding the Condition

This falls within the categories of one-sided head wind (Pian Tou Feng) and headache, with the liver as the primary site and involvement of the spleen and kidney. Wind, fire, phlegm, stasis, and deficiency may be associated with obstruction of the brain collaterals or loss of nourishment of the brain. Acute attacks are dominated by the branch-excess of wind-yang, turbid phlegm, and blood stasis, while chronic cases show root deficiency with branch excess.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.