Two Powder Formulas for Treating Migraine

Formula 1: Pianfeng San (from the Liangfang Jiye)

Composition: Danggui (Angelica, Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 4 liang (120 g, washed in wine, sun-dried, stir-fried), Baishao (White Peony, Radix Paeoniae Alba) 4 liang (120 g, stir-fried until yellow), Shigao (Gypsum, calcined) 4 liang (120 g), and Niubangzi (Burdock Fruit, Fructus Arctii) 4 liang (stir-fried).

Grind all the above into a powder. Each time take 3 qian (9 g), add 1 qian (3 g) of brown sugar, and take with yellow wine before bedtime, drinking enough to induce slight sweating.

This formula nourishes blood and unblocks the collaterals, clears heat and expels wind; it treats one-sided migraine.

Formula 2: Piantong Yin (from the Xiannian Ji)

Composition: Baizhi (Angelica Dahurica, Radix Angelicae Dahuricae), Tiannanxing (Arisaema), Banxia (Pinellia), Chuanwu (Aconitum), and Gancao (Licorice), in equal parts.

Grind all the above into a powder. Each time take 2 qian (6 g), mixed with water.

This formula expels wind and relieves pain; it treats one-sided headache and chronic head-wind.

Migraine is a common, recurrent headache disorder with a very high incidence. It is currently the third most burdensome disease worldwide and affects patients' quality of life. Migraine is characterized by severe throbbing headache on one or both sides; some patients also have nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, anxiety, and depression.

This disease predominantly affects women, whose prevalence is 2-3 times that of men; some female patients have regular attacks around menstruation or ovulation. Its causes are complex and may relate to genetics, endocrinology, environmental factors, and psychological factors. There is as yet no particularly effective treatment. The two formulas above are also merely symptomatic measures that can only relieve symptoms and are unlikely to cure migraine.