Korean Herbal Formulation [Part 13] Wind-Heat–Induced Headaches and Inflammation

Korean Herbal Formulation [Part 13]

Wind-Heat–Induced Headaches and Inflammation

Chuanxiong Cha Tiao San, Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang, Fang Feng Tong Sheng San

Part 2. External Invaders: Defense Against the Six Climatic Factors
Sub-Part 2.1 The Ever-Changing Nature of Wind (Wind Pathogenic Influence)
Lecture 11: Wind-Heat–Induced Headaches and Inflammation

In the previous lecture (Part 10), we compared two classic formulas—Gui Zhi Tang and Ma Huang Tang—used for wind-cold patterns, focusing on whether sweating is present or absent in exterior cold conditions.

In this lecture, we turn our attention to wind-heat patterns, which arise when wind combines with heat or fire.
Wind-heat is one of the most common external patterns encountered clinically and is frequently associated with headaches and inflammatory conditions affecting the upper body, including the head, face, nose, ears, and throat.

We will examine three representative classical formulas used to address wind-heat disorders:

1. Characteristics of Wind-Heat Patterns

Wind-heat is formed when the mobile and rapidly changing nature of wind (“moving and transforming quickly”) combines with the rising and warming quality of heat.

When wind-heat invades the exterior layer, it most commonly affects the head and face, leading to inflammation, swelling, and pain in the upper regions of the body.

Clinically, wind-heat may appear in several overlapping forms:

Pure wind-heat
Wind and heat concentrate in the upper body, causing headaches, sore throat, or facial inflammation.
Wind-heat with fluid deficiency or residual heat
Prolonged wind-heat damages body fluids, or the external pathogen has resolved while residual heat remains.
Wind-heat combined with blood deficiency or internal fire
Wind-heat overlaps with underlying weakness or internal heat, producing inflammation of the skin, respiratory tract, eyes, or ears.

The following formulas address these variations in distinct ways.

2. Chuanxiong Cha Tiao San

A Classic Formula for Wind-Heat Headaches

Chuanxiong Cha Tiao San is indicated when multiple wind influences rise upward, causing heaviness, clouded sensation of the head and eyes, unilateral or generalized headaches, and nasal congestion.

It is particularly effective for wind-heat headaches caused by external wind invasion.

Aspect	Description
Main indication	Headaches (especially migraine-type), head heaviness, nasal congestion
Key herbs	Chuanxiong, Jing Jie, Bo He, Fang Feng, Bai Zhi, Qiang Huo, Xi Xin
Therapeutic principle	Disperses wind-heat from the head and face, alleviates pain

A defining feature of this formula is that it is traditionally prepared as a powder mixed with tea, which is reflected in its name (“Tea-Blended Powder”).

Classical texts also record that for severe unilateral headaches, the finely powdered formula may be mixed with scallion juice and applied externally to the temples for additional relief.

3. Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang

Wind-Heat Inflammation of the Ears and Nose

Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang is used when wind-heat becomes constrained in specific upper regions, leading to inflammatory conditions.

Aspect	Description
Main indications	Ear swelling and pain, chronic nasal discharge
Pattern	Wind-heat combined with blood deficiency, internal heat, and sometimes phlegm
Therapeutic principle	Disperses wind-heat while clearing internal heat and resolving localized inflammation

This formula combines wind-dispersing herbs such as Jing Jie, Lian Qiao, Bo He, and Fang Feng with heat-clearing herbs like Huang Qin and Zhi Zi, making it suitable for complex upper-body inflammatory patterns, not just simple external wind-heat.

4. Fang Feng Tong Sheng San

A Comprehensive Formula for Systemic Wind-Heat and Toxic Heat

Fang Feng Tong Sheng San is regarded as a comprehensive formula for wind-heat disorders, extending from superficial inflammation to systemic heat accumulation and even severe conditions associated with internal agitation.

Classical texts describe it as a formula that addresses wind, heat, and dryness simultaneously, recognizing their shared origin.

Aspect	Description
Main indications	Systemic wind-heat, heat-induced spasms, skin eruptions, constipation from heat
Key herbs	Fang Feng, Ma Huang, Bo He, Jing Jie, Shi Gao, Huang Qin, Lian Qiao, Da Huang, Mang Xiao
Therapeutic principle	Eliminates heat through sweating, urination, and bowel movement

The hallmark of this formula is its three-pathway elimination strategy:

Through sweating – dispersing heat from the surface
Through urination – draining heat via fluids
Through bowel movement – purging internal heat accumulation

Additionally, blood-regulating herbs such as Chuanxiong and Dang Gui support circulation, allowing the formula to be used even when heat and blood deficiency coexist.

5. Summary: Principles for Treating Wind-Heat Patterns

Wind-heat disorders most often present with headaches and upper-body inflammation.
The core treatment strategy is to:

Clear heat, and
Disperse wind from the exterior

Each formula serves a distinct role:

Chuanxiong Cha Tiao San – focused treatment for wind-heat headaches
Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang – upper-body inflammation with underlying complexity
Fang Feng Tong Sheng San – severe or systemic wind-heat requiring comprehensive heat elimination

Preview of the Next Lecture

With this lecture, we conclude Sub-Part 2.1: Wind Pathogenic Influence.
In the next session, we begin Sub-Part 2.2, shifting focus to cold as an external pathogen.

Lecture 12: When Cold Enters the Body – Cold Patterns and Key Medicinals

📌 [Previous Episode]: Korean Herbal Formulation [Part 12] The Classic Remedies for Wind–Cold Colds: Gui Zhi Tang and Ma Huang Tang

👉 Next Post: Korean Herbal Formulation [Part 14] When Cold Enters the Body – Cold Evil (寒邪) Symptoms and Key Herbs

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