Gallbladder Headaches

[Guest guest]

Bob -

 

When first writing about differential of headaches - my comments were

regarding western pathophysiology. In my experience, these have a strong

correlation to acupuncture treatment. But - since you insist strongly on

herbal commentary, my herbal considerations about this topic are related

primarily to Shang Han Za Bing Lun styles of thinking. It is discussed

explicitly in the Shang Han Lun and by my teacher Maiqing Yang. Here is

a passage from my notes on the topic:

 

" Shang Han Lun and Golden Cabinet are the key to opening the great

treasure house " states Maiqing Yang. He goes on to say " the functional

headache is associated primarily with shao yang minesterial fire and

xiao chai hu tang is the primary formula according to Golden Cabinet -

that is -after ruling out cancer, the common cold, and organic

diseases. " Zhang Zhongjing describes gallbladder channel headaches in

the Shang Han Lun section on shao yang syndrome - here there is temporal

headache, a bitter taste in the mouth and a wiry pulse.

 

In addition, the gallbladder channel may be affected by other evils such

as blood stasis, wind, cold, heat, fire, and damp. In addition, vacuity

patterns may affect the flow of qi in the gallbladder channel. If there

is an external attack, chuan xiong cha tiao can be used. If there is

blood stasis, xue fu zhu yu tang is an excellent choice since it

contains herbs that enter the shao yang such as chuan xiong and chai hu.

If there is yin deficiency causing a yin fire to ascend through the shao

yang, tian ma gou teng yin can be used. I discussed these thoughts with

Dr. Jin who concurs on these thoughts.

 

Acupuncture methods use the diagnosis of gallbladder headaches more

frequently because of the emphasis on channel theory - evidence of this

can be seen in CAM. Even here the biao li relationship of the liver and

gallbladder can make it difficulty to discern which organ is involved.

Through this relationship either channel can be used for the purpose of

treatment.

 

After your post I inquired about this topic with Gu Nai-qiang who is a

most esteemed senior doctor in Shanghai. According to him, there are

discussions about Gall Bladder headaches in the literature. The internal

pattern is usually considered in relation to phlegm and damp collecting

in the gallbladder channel. The headache is dull and not severe in the

shao yang region of the cranium. Concomitants can include nausea,

dizziness and other symptoms similar to Meniere's disease.

 

Dr Gu suggested to me jia wei ban xia bai zhu tian ma tang:

ban xia

bai zhu

tian ma

yu jin

dan nan xing

 

It is not possible for all potential patterns to be listed as a set of

preconceived notions in a textbook. Therefore, the habit of using texts

as the final arbiter of what is true in a clinical setting can be

misleading.

 

Will