Q Does herbal medicine work for headaches? How long do I need to take it?
A Herbal medicine prescriptions vary according to the headache's pattern diagnosis, and they help reduce the frequency of attacks and prevent recurrence. Effectiveness is usually evaluated after 4-8 weeks of use.
Detailed Answer
Rather than quickly suppressing acute pain, herbal medicine is mainly used to change the constitutional foundation that makes headaches frequent, thereby lowering the frequency of attacks. The direction of the prescription differs depending on the pattern: ascendant Liver-yang type, phlegm-rheum type, blood-stasis type, or qi-and-blood deficiency type, and it is even more effective when combined with acupuncture. It is generally taken for 4-8 weeks and adjusted as the course is observed.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
Dongjedang prescribes a customized "brain-clearing herbal medicine" that brings down the heat surging into the head and clears the mind. For those with a flushed face and pressure concentrated upward, the formula centers on heat-clearing herbs; for those who are pale and tire easily, it centers on herbs that replenish qi and blood. Unlike painkillers, we also consider the burden on the stomach and intestines when deciding the formulation (decoction or pill).
Related FAQs
-
Q
My MRI is normal, but my headache won't go away. Is it possible to fully recover, or do I have to live with it for life?
#Possibility / Realistic Goals
-
Q
I was diagnosed with a cervical disc and I have a headache along with it. How do you tell cervicogenic headache apart from migraine?
#Comorbidities
-
Q
I have frequent headaches, and my anxiety and depression are also worsening. Is there a connection between headaches and mental health?
#Comorbidities
-
Q
I've been told to keep a headache diary. How should I record it?
#Lifestyle Management
-
Q
Is it okay to exercise when I have a headache? I'm worried it might make things worse.
#Lifestyle Management