DONGUIBOGAM; External Bodily Elements-1. Head 頭 (2) Head Wind & Dizziness

May 9, 2026

Written By Jun Heo (許浚, 1539~1615), translated by Namil Kim, Wung Seok Cha et al. Published by Ministry of Health & Welfare (Korea)

07 Head Wind Syndromes 頭風證 두풍증

① Symptoms of head wind are as follow. If one usually has phlegm-fluid retention, exposed to cold directly after washing and combing the hair, or is exposed to cold for a long period of time, pathogenic Wind enters the brain and the nape causing paralysis in the ears, eyes, mouth, nose, and the eyebrow bone area, causing numbness in some areas. Also, the head feels heavy or dizzy and the scalp stiffens, but the patient does not recognize this. The sense of taste becomes paralyzed and thus one cannot differentiate tastes. The person becomes deaf or experiences pain in the eyes, or the eyebrow bone area feels stretched out and painful. Also, the olfactory senses become hypersensitive making fragrant things smell extremely heavy and stench smell worse. Even yawning stimulates dizziness. If it is a heat syndrome, use Eliminate Wind Powder, and in the case of a cold syndrome use Remove Wind Powder, Chuanxiong and Tea Regulating Powder , Dispel Wind and Unblock qi Powder.

② When there is a head wind, there is a stuffy sensation, pain, and the patient wants to wrap the head with a towel. This is caused by heat stagnation. Add Scutellariae Radix (黃芩) (processed with alcohol), Schizonepetae Spica (荊芥), Cnidii Rhizoma (川芎), Menthae Herba (薄荷), Gypsum Fibrosum (石膏), Asiasari Radix et Rhizoma (細辛) to a Syzygii Flos Relieve Stomach Decoction or use Multi-Function Eliminate Wind Powder.

③ For head wind, Angelica Root Powder ‧ Fragrant Head Powder ‧ Modified Chuanxiong and Magnolia Flower Decoction ‧ Chrysanthemum and Tea Powder ought to be used.

④ For head wind in women, use a Maintain Blood and Disperse Wind Decoction.

Eliminate Wind Powder 消風散 소풍산 It treats dizziness, dimmed eyes, stuffy nose, ringing ears, paralyzed skin, and itchiness due to Wind thrusting up. It also treats a swollen and itchy scalp in women caused by blood Wind. Schizonepetae Spica (荊芥), Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草) 1 don each, Ginseng Radix (人參), Poria Sclerotium (茯苓) ‧ Batryticatus Bombyx (白殭蠶), Cnidii Rhizoma (川芎), Saposhnikoviae Radix (防風), Agastachis Herba (藿香), Cicadidae Periostracum (蟬退), Osterici Radix (羌活) 5 pun each, Citrus Unshius Pericarpium (陳皮), Magnoliae Cortex (厚朴) 3 pun each. Slice these drugs to make 1 package, add a handful of Jakseol Tea (Sparrow’s Tongue Tea) to decoct, or powder and add to tea or warm alcohol to drink.
Remove Wind Powder 追風散 추풍산 It treats head wind migraines ‧ overall head wind or urticaria (遊風) on the face that cause itchiness on the skin resembling the sensation of bugs crawling over the skin. Aconiti Tuber (川烏) (baked wrapped in wet paper), Gypsum Fibrosum (石膏) (heated), Batryticatus Bombyx (白殭蠶) (roasted), Cnidii Rhizoma (川芎), Saposhnikoviae Radix (防風), Schizonepetae Spica (荊芥), Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草) 5 don each, Arisaematis Rhizoma (南星) (baked wrapped in wet paper), Aconiti Koreani Tuber (白附子) (baked wrapped in wet paper), Osterici Radix (羌活), Gastrodiae Rhizoma (天麻), Scorpio (全蝎), Lumbricus (蚯蚓), Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (白芷), 2.5 don each, and Aconiti Ciliare Tuber (草烏) (baked wrapped in wet paper), Myrrha (沒藥), Olibanum (乳香), Realgar (雄黃) 1.25 don each. Grind these drugs and mix into tea or warm alcohol 0.5 don at a time.
Angelica Root Powder 白芷散 백지산 It treats various Wind syndromes in the head and face or dizziness due to Wind (風眩). Grind Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (白芷) soaked in white radish juice and dried in the sun, add to boiling water, and take 2 don at a time after meals.
Fragrant Head Powder 天香散 천향산 It treats old and new head wind. The symptoms include numbness and unbearable itchiness due to numbness of the skin (頑痺), bruises or boils, and vomiting and the inability to swallow due to phlegm stagnation. Take this twice to eradicate the disease. Arisaematis Rhizoma (南星), Pinelliae Tuber (半夏) (both washed together in boiling water 7 times), Aconiti Tuber (川烏) (raw), Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (白芷) 1 don each. Slice these drugs to make 1 package, decoct in water, and add half a cup of Zingiberis Rhizoma Crudus (生薑) juice. When there are mass tumors (腫塊) on the head, it is effective to perform acupuncture treatment.
Modified Chuanxiong and Magnolia Flower Decoction 加減芎辛湯 가감궁신탕 It treats head wind that attacks the eyes. Cnidii Rhizoma (川芎), Asiasari Radix et Rhizoma (細辛), Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (白芷), Gypsum Fibrosum (石膏), Angelicae Tenuissimae Radix (藁本), Gleditsiae Spina (皂角), Osterici Radix (羌活), Saposhnikoviae Radix (防風), Schizonepetae Spica (荊芥), Platycodonis Radix (桔梗), Viticis Fructus (蔓荊子), Chrysanthemi Flos (甘菊花), Menthae Herba (薄荷), Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草) 5 pun each. Slice these drugs to make 1 package and decoct in water to drink.
Chrysanthemum and Tea Powder 菊花茶調散 국화다조산 It treats stuffiness in the nose due to head wind, migraines and overall headaches. Chrysanthemi Flos (甘菊花), Cnidii Rhizoma (川芎), Schizonepetae Spica (荊芥), Osterici Radix (羌活), Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (白芷), Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草) 1 nyang each, Saposhnikoviae Radix (防風) 7.5 don, Asiasari Radix et Rhizoma (細辛) 5 don, and Cicadidae Periostracum (蟬退), Batryticatus Bombyx (白殭蠶), Menthae Herba (薄荷) 2.5 don each. Finely grind these drugs and add to tea 2 don at a time to drink after meals.
Maintain Blood and Disperse Wind Decoction 養血祛風湯 양혈거풍탕 It treats head wind syndrome in women. About half of the patients diagnosed with head wind syndrome experience dizziness like that experienced during motion sickness. It is because Wind has penetrated the inside due to a deficiency in the liver. Angelica Gigantis Radix (當歸), Cnidii Rhizoma (川芎), Rehmanniae Radix Crudus (生地黃), Saposhnikoviae Radix (防風), Schizonepetae Spica (荊芥), Osterici Radix (羌活), Asiasari Radix et Rhizoma (細辛), Angelicae Tenuissimae Radix (藁本), Gypsum Fibrosum (石膏), Viticis Fructus (蔓荊子), Pinelliae Tuber (半夏), Inulae Flos (旋覆花), Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草) 5 pun each. Slice these drugs to make one package, add 3 slices of Zingiberis Rhizoma Crudus (生薑) and 2 Zizyphi Fructus (大棗) and decoct in water to drink.

08 Dizziness 眩暈 어지러움

① When the upper body is deficient, one experiences dizziness. Furthermore, “When upper qi (上氣) is deficient, the eyes become dizzy. .”

② The eye system consists of the essence of viscera and bowels, sinews and bones, and blood and qi combined with the meridians. The eye system connects upward to the brain and ends at the center of the nape. Thus, if the pathogenic qi attacks the nape and succeeds in penetrating deeply into a weakened body, it flows into the brain through the eye system. Once it does penetrate the brain, the head feels dizzy, the eye system becomes tense, and the eyes become faint and spin around.

③ In the Inner Classic (內經), it is said, “Headaches and epilepsy (巓疾) are cases of a lower deficiency and upper excess (下虛上實). This is a problem in the kidney meridian and bladder meridian. If severe, the pathogenic qi penetrates the kidneys (腎).

④ The sensation of having something wrapped around the head, feeling dizzy, the eyes feeling dizzy, and the ears becoming deaf all indicate that there is a lower excess and an upper deficiency. This is a problem in the kidney meridian and liver meridian. If severe, the pathogenic qi enters the liver.”

⑤ A lower deficiency is a kidney deficiency. There is a headache when the kidneys are deficient. An upper deficiency is a liver deficiency. If the liver is deficient, there is dizziness. Feeling as if there is something wrapped around the head is called cloudy and blurred vision. Feeling dizzy, feeling faint in the eyes, and becoming deaf are all symptoms of dizziness. Dizziness caused by liver reversal and pain in the crown of the head due to kidney reversal (腎厥) are different as such.

⑥ In the Inner Classic (內經), it is said, “All convulsions and dizziness due to Wind are related to the liver (肝).” As Liu Hejian (河間) said, “Spasm (掉) means ‘to shake’. Dizziness (眩) means ‘to spin’.” It is because Wind is in charge of movement. The reason dizziness occurs in the head and the eyes when Wind qi moves is when Wind Wood becomes exuberant, Metal deceases and thus cannot control Wood producing Fire. Wind and Fire all belong to yang, and thus go through changes simultaneously. Because yang is in charge of movement, when the Wind and Fire both move and collide with each other, the head and the eyes experience dizziness. The Fire has a natural tendency to move. When the flames are exposed to wind, they automatically spin. Similarly, when a person rides a boat or wagon, or dances in circles, dizziness occurs. The movement does not stop but rather zig zags. Thus, it is said in the Classic (經), “Extension, flexion, movement, and shaking are all functioned by Wind.” Dizziness accompanied by vomiting is due to severe Wind Heat.

⑦ Dizziness is also called dizziness and fainting (眩冒). Dizziness (眩) means dimming of the eyes, dizziness (暈) means spinning in circles, and faint (冒) means dimming of the eyes. They are synonyms.

⑧ Dizziness is a precursor for a stroke. For obese and fair patients, use twice as much Astragali Radix (黃芪) (dipped in honey and baked) in a Four Gentlemen Decoction , add Pinelliae Tuber (半夏), Citrus Unshius Pericarpium (陳皮), and Cnidii Rhizoma (川芎), Schizonepetae Spica (荊芥) to clarify the head and the eyes. For dark-skinned and underweight patients, combine a Syzygii Flos Relieve Stomach Decoction with a Four Substances Decoction , add Bambusae Caulis in Liquamen (竹瀝), Zingiberis Rhizoma Crudus (生薑) juice, and urine of a young boy to Scutellariae Radix (黃芩) (thick ones with fragilesoft insides), Menthae Herba (薄荷).

⑨ Dizziness is said to be due to an upper excess and lower deficiency. Deficiency means there is a deficiency of qi and blood, and excess means there is an excess of congested liquids and Wind Fire.

⑩ Dizziness is phlegm put into motion by Fire. The reason dizziness does not occur without phlegm is that although dizziness is said to be initiated by Wind, there also must be phlegm.

⑪ Dizziness occurs when phlegm exists in the upper body and the Fire in the lower body burns up and moves the phelgm. Add Scutellariae Radix (黃芩) (processed with alcohol), Gardeniae Fructus (梔子), Coptidis Rhizoma (黃連), Atractylodis Rhizoma (蒼朮), Osterici Radix (羌活) to a Syzygii Flos Relieve Stomach Decoction.

⑫ Dizziness includes dizziness due to the invasion of Wind, vertigo due to the uprising of Heat, dizziness due to phlegm, dizziness due to qi stagnation, dizziness of a deficiency type, and Damp dizziness.

08-1 Dizziness Due to Invasion of Wind 風暈 풍훈

In cases where there is dizziness caused by Wind Damage, an aversion to wind, spontaneous perspiration, or cases where the patient originally had dizziness caused by head wind, use Chuanxiong Powder.

Chuanxiong Powder 川芎散 천궁산 It treats dizziness due to an invasion of Wind. Corni Fructus (山茱萸) 1 nyang, Dioscoreae Rhizoma (山藥), Chrysanthemi Flos (甘菊花), Ginseng Radix (人參), Cnidii Rhizoma (川芎), Hoelen cum Radix (茯神) 5 don each. Grind these drugs and add to alcohol 2 don at a time and drink.
Chuanxiong Powder 芎藭散 궁궁산 It treats dizziness due to head wind and also dizziness due to a liver deficiency. It is better for the women. Cnidii Rhizoma (川芎) 1 don, Angelica Gigantis Radix (當歸) 7.5 pun, and Osterici Radix (羌活), Inulae Flos (旋覆花), Viticis Fructus (蔓荊子), Asiasari Radix et Rhizoma (細辛), Gypsum Fibrosum (石膏), Angelicae Tenuissimae Radix (藁本), Schizonepetae Spica (荊芥穗), Pinelliae Tube Fermentata (半夏麴), Rehmanniae Radix Preparata (熟地黃), Saposhnikoviae Radix (防風), Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草) 5 pun each. Slice these drugs to make 1 package, add 3 slices of Zingiberis Rhizoma Crudus (生薑), and decoct.

08-2 Dizziness Due to Uprising of Heat 熱暈 열훈

When there is restlessness and thirst due to upsurging Fire Heat, or dizziness due to excess Heat in the summer, use Rhubarb Powder, Schizonopeta and Rhubarb Decoction.

Rhubarb Powder 大黃散 대황산 It treats unbearable dizziness due to uprising Fire. Soak in alcohol 3 times and roast Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (大黃), grind it, add to tea 1~2 don at a time.
Schizonopeta and Rhubarb Decoction 荊黃湯 형황탕 It treats dizziness due to Wind Heat. Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (大黃) (soaked in alcohol and roasted), Schizonepetae Spica (荊芥穗), Saposhnikoviae Radix (防風) 2 don each. Slice these drugs, decoct in water, and take until there is diarrhea.

08-3 Dizziness Due to Phlegm 痰暈 담훈

① When there is dizziness due to phlegm, there is excessive phlegm, vomiting and heaviness in the head.

② Dizziness and palpations are all symptoms of a fluid retention syndrome (飮證). A Pinellia and Poria Decoction , Water Plantain Decoction ought to be used.

③ For dizziness due to phlegm, use a Typhonium Pill, Gastrodia and Pinellia Decoction, Ginseng and Hogfennel Root Decoction, Settle Dizziness and Dissolve Phlegm Decoction.

Water Plantain Decoction 澤瀉湯 택사탕 It treats dizziness due to the retention of fluid in the lungs and chest (支飮). Slice 2.5 nyang of Alismatis Rhizoma (澤瀉) and 1.5 nyang of Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba (白朮) 1.5 nyang and decoct in water until the water halves and divides into two portions.
Typhonium Pill 白附子丸 백부자환 It treats dizziness or headaches due to wind-phlegm. Aconiti Koreani Tuber (白附子) (baked wrapped in damp paper), Arisaematis Rhizoma (南星) (baked wrapped in wet paper), Pinelliae Tuber (半夏) (soaked in Zingiberis Rhizoma Crudus (生薑) juice and dried), Inulae Flos (旋覆花), Chrysanthemi Flos (甘菊花), Gastrodiae Rhizoma (天麻), Cnidii Rhizoma (川芎), Citrus Unshius Exocarpium (橘紅), Batryticatus Bombyx (白殭蠶) (roasted), Zingiberis Rhizoma (乾薑) 1 nyang each, Scorpio (全蝎) (roasted) 5 don. Grind these drugs and knead in paste made with the juice of 0.5 gun of Zingiberis Rhizoma Crudus (生薑) and make into pills as big as the seed of the royal foxglove tree. Take 50 pills at a time with water decocted with Schizonepetae Spica (荊芥).
Gastrodia and Pinellia Decoction 天麻半夏湯 천마반하탕 It treats dizziness and nausea due to wind-phlegm. Gastrodiae Rhizoma (天麻), Pinelliae Tuber (半夏) (processes) 1 don each, Citrus Unshius Pericarpium (橘皮), Bupleuri Radix (柴胡) 7 pun each, Scutellariae Radix (黃芩) (soaked in alcohol roasted), Poria Sclerotium (白茯苓), Angelicae Decursivae Radix (前胡), Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草) (baked) 5 pun each, and Coptidis Rhizoma (黃連) 3 pun. Slice these drugs to make 1 package, add 3 slices of Zingiberis Rhizoma Crudus (生薑) and decoct in water.
Ginseng and Hogfennel Root Decoction 人參前胡湯 인삼전호탕 It treats dizziness and faintness due to wind-phlegm. Pinelliae Tube Fermentata (半夏麴) 1 don, Perillae Folium (紫蘇葉), Aruantii Fructus Immaturus (枳殼), Poria Sclerotium Rubra (赤茯苓), Arisaematis Rhizoma (南星) (baked wrapped in wet paper) Angelicae Decursivae Radix (前胡), Citrus Unshius Exocarpium (橘紅), Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草) (baked) 8 pun each, Aucklandiae Radix (木香), Ginseng Radix (人參) 3 pun each. Slice these drugs to make 1 package and add 5 slices of Zingiberis Rhizoma Crudus (生薑) and decoct in water.
Settle Dizziness and Dissolve Phlegm Decoction 淸暈化痰湯 청훈화담탕 It treats dizziness wind-phlegm or Heat phlegm. Citrus Unshius Pericarpium (陳皮), Pinelliae Tuber (半夏) (processed), Poria Sclerotium (白茯苓) 1 don each, Ponciri Fructus Immaturus (枳實), Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba (白朮) 7 pun each, Cnidii Rhizoma (川芎), Scutellariae Radix (黃芩), Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (白芷), Osterici Radix (羌活), Ginseng Radix (人參), Arisaematis Rhizoma (南星) (baked wrapped in wet paper), Saposhnikoviae Radix (防風) 5 pun each, and Asiasari Radix et Rhizoma (細辛), Coptidis Rhizoma (黃連), Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草) 3 pun each. Slice these drugs to make 1 package, add three slices of Zingiberis Rhizoma Crudus (生薑) and decoct in water. Or grind and add Zingiberis Rhizoma Crudus (生薑) juice and knead in flour paste to make into pills.

08-4 Dizziness Due to Qi Stagnation 氣暈 기훈

When the seven emotions are excessively damaged, congested liquids (痰涎) due to qi stagnation form. The congested liquids block the orifices in the heart and cause dizziness. When there is pain in the eyebrow bone and difficulty in opening the eyes, use a Jade Fluid Decoction ‧ Tonify Deficiency Drink.

Jade Fluid Decoction 玉液湯 옥액탕 It treats dizziness, palpitations, and pain in the eyebrow bone due to congested liquids caused by qi stagnation. Add Aquillariae Lignum (沈香) (ground in water) to a decoction of 4 don Pinelliae Tuber (半夏) (soaked in Zingiberis Rhizoma Crudus (生薑) juice and dried) and 10 pieces of Zingiberis Rhizoma Crudus (生薑).
Tonify Deficiency Drink 補虛飮 보허음 It treats congested liquids, fever, and palpations due to qi stagnation or dizziness due to a Wind deficiency. Ginseng Radix (人參), Liriopis Tuber (麥門冬), Dioscoreae Rhizoma (山藥) 1 don each, Poria Sclerotium (白茯苓), Hoelen cum Radix (茯神) 8 pun each, Pinelliae Tuber (半夏) (processed), Astragali Radix (黃芪) 7 pun each, Angelicae Decursivae Radix (前胡), Rehmanniae Radix Preparata (熟地黃) 5 pun each, and Aruantii Fructus Immaturus (枳殼), Polygalae Radix (遠志) (soaked in Zingiberis Rhizoma Crudus (生薑) juice and dried), Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草) (baked) 3 pun each. Slice these drugs, add 5 slices of Zingiberis Rhizoma Crudus (生薑) and 1 handful of Glutinous millet, decoct in water to take.

08-5 Dizziness of a Deficiency Type 虛暈 허훈

① When there is dizziness of the deficiency type caused by an internal injury, a Tonify the Center to Augment the qi Decoction ought to be used. When the dizziness is caused by excessive loss of blood (失血) a Chuanxiong and Angelica Decoction ought to be used.

② For dizziness of a deficiency type, use an Aucklandia, Cloves and Tangerine Peel Drink, Nourish Yin and Build Spleen Decoction.

③ The reason the elderly experience sudden dizziness rising from their beds every morning, which subsides after a while is because their yang is deficient. A Black Metal Elixir ought to be used. When qi cannot return to its origin due to a deficiency in the kidneys, use an All Inclusive Greatly Tonify Decoction .

Aucklandia, Cloves and Tangerine Peel Drink 香橘飮 향귤음 It treats dizziness due to a qi deficiency. Pinelliae Tuber (半夏) (processed) 2 don, Citrus Unshius Pericarpium (陳皮), Poria Sclerotium (白茯苓), Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba (白朮) 1 don each, and Aucklandiae Radix (木香), Syzygii Flos (丁香), Amomi Fructus (砂仁) (ground), Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草) (baked) 5 pun each. Slice these drugs to make 1 package, add 5 slices of Zingiberis Rhizoma Crudus (生薑) and decoct in water.
Nourish Yin and Build Spleen Decoction 滋陰健脾湯 자음건비탕 Feeling uneasy and dizzy, and experiencing discomfort in the mind and distress in the stomach are because the heart and spleen are deficient. This prescription is a miraculous medicine that treats dizziness due to fluid retention caused by a qi deficiency. Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba (白朮) 1.5 don, Citrus Unshius Pericarpium (陳皮) (washed in salt water with the white parts removed), Pinelliae Tuber (半夏) (processed), Poria Sclerotium (白茯苓) 1 don each, Angelica Gigantis Radix (當歸), Paeoniae Radix (芍藥), Rehmanniae Radix Crudus (生地黃) 7 pun each, Ginseng Radix (人參), Hoelen cum Radix (白茯神), Liriopis Tuber (麥門冬), Polygalae Radix (遠志) (processed) 5 pun each, and Cnidii Rhizoma (川芎), Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草) 3 pun each. Slice these drugs to make 1 package with 3 slices of Zingiberis Rhizoma Crudus (生薑) and 2 Zizyphi Fructus (大棗); decoct in water.

08-6 Damp Dizziness 濕暈 습훈

When affected by Damp pathogens after being in the rain, the voice becomes coarse, the nose becomes stuffy, and the patient experiences dizziness. Use a Chuanxiong and Atractylodes Decoction.

Chuanxiong and Atractylodes Decoction 芎朮湯 궁출탕 It treats heaviness in the head, stuffiness in the nose, and dizziness due to damage from Dampness from being in the rain. Cnidii Rhizoma (川芎), Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba (白朮), Pinelliae Tuber (半夏) (soaked in Zingiberis Rhizoma Crudus (生薑) juice and dried) 2 don each, and Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草) (baked) 5 pun. Slice these drugs to make 1 package, add 7 slices of Zingiberis Rhizoma Crudus (生薑) and decoct in water.