Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San — Tea-mixed Chuan Xiong Powder

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions

What is Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San?

Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San — Tea-mixed Chuan Xiong Powder — is a classical Song dynasty formula from the Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (1107) for headache from external Wind. It is one of the most widely used formulas in Chinese herbal medicine for the recurring tension or sinus-type headache triggered by cold draughts, weather change or air-conditioning. Traditionally taken with green tea.

I prescribe Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San TCM pattern

Prescribed for external Wind invading the head: headache (frontal, lateral or vertex), occasional dizziness, nasal congestion, mild aversion to wind, possible mild chills and fever, thin white tongue coat and a floating pulse.

Key herbs

1. Chuan Xiong — chief herb; moves Qi and Blood to the head, relieves Wind headache
2. Jing Jie, Fang Feng — dispel Wind from the surface
3. Qiang Huo, Bai Zhi — dispel Wind-Cold and relieve regional pain (Tai Yang and Yang Ming channels)
4. Xi Xin — disperses Cold and relieves vertex pain (Shao Yin channel)
5. Bo He — clears Wind from the head and balances the warming herbs
6. Gan Cao — harmonises
7. Green tea (cha) — clears upward and downbears Yang

Formula actions

1. Dispels Wind from the head
2. Moves Qi and Blood to relieve headache
3. Unblocks the channels traversing the head

Conditions treated

1. Tension headache triggered by cold draughts and weather change
2. Sinus headache with congestion
3. Migraine with Wind features (often combined with deeper-acting formulas for chronic migraine)
4. Post-traumatic recurrent headache
5. Occipital and frontal headache during a cold

Cautions

Contraindicated in chronic headache from Yin or Blood deficiency, Liver Yang rising or Liver fire (use Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin or Long Dan Xie Gan Tang instead). Best in short courses during headache episodes.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Online herbal consultations are available.

Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide.