#12 TCM Headaches – 1 Gallbladder/Liver

We will begin our discussion of meridians, their associated organs, and their relationships to headaches by discussing the Gallbladder/Liver meridian pair.  We are beginning here because so many headaches – and other health problems – are related to problems in the liver and/or the gallbladder. The Gallbladder/Liver meridian pair is associated with the upsurging, new life energy of Spring, and with the element wood.  This meridian/element embodies the power, energy, confidence, and enthusiasm of new growth.  A wood phase in our lives involves the transformation of energy into matter. Ideas become genuine, productive and accomplished!  This element and season are referred to as “The Pioneer.”

Gallbladder and Liver Meridian – in balance

Emotional symptoms

• Sure of themselves but, at the same time, inspires others.
• Confident with a clear vision. Consequently, these people shine in any crisis situation.
• Organized with sound goals, good judgment.  As a result, they can be counted on to make wise decisions.
• Takes a strong stand on issues.  Furthermore, they always appear bold and decisive.
• Follows own hunches and inspiration.
• Seeks challenges and, therefore, pushes themselves to the limits.
• Loves action, movement, and adventure.
• Likes to be first, best, and only.  (Tigger-type energy)

Gallbladder and Liver Meridian – in balance

Physical symptoms

• Has over 400 separate functions that must be carried out for good health.
• Life flows more smoothly because we are better able to take things in stride.
• Greater resilience to stress as well as to illnesses.
• Manages blood, therefore nourishes our muscles and tissues and regulates menstruation.
• Strengthens both heart and mind.
• Absorbs what cannot be digested, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
• Lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
• Strengthens the pancreas.

Gallbladder/Liver – out of balance

Emotional symptoms

• Self-confidence becomes arrogance.
• Natural assertiveness becomes inflexible, self-centered, and opinionated.
• Tends to judge others opinions harshly and unfairly.
• Self-righteous. Vocally frustrated with others.
• Discouragement.  Lost vision.
• Angry when under stress.
• Indecisive.

Physical symptoms

• Stiff neck.
• Vascular headaches.
• Migraines with aura.
• High blood pressure.
• Nerve inflammation.

Balance Restored By

• Expressing themselves creatively.
• Yoga or other forms of flexibility and stretching exercises.
• Learning to back down from arguments.
• Learning to use good judgment in the adventures they choose to participate in.

Gallbladder/Liver-Related Headaches

Scenario One

The gallbladder, when in balance, is a Yang energy organ.   When the gallbladder is deficient, however, – in a Yin ascendency cycle – it does not function properly.  A deficient gallbladder fails to create, store, and disperse sufficient amounts of bile.  In addition, it fails to manage salts and calcium within itself.  Inflammation arises.  Gallstones form.  Inflammation is hyperactive Yang-type energy.  What has happened here?  Yin became deficient, thus allowing Yang energy to become hyperactive.  When the gallbladder is inflamed, filled with gallstones, or the bile ducts are blocked, this hyperactive Yang energy rises.  It may rise into the chest, creating heart issues.  As it rises further, into the neck and shoulders, there is stiffness there.  Eventually, and inevitably, it rises into the head.  Headaches and migraines occur. (Sidenote:  An inflamed gallbladder has been, scientifically and statistically, linked to unexpected heart attacks in otherwise healthy people.)

Scenario Two

The liver, has been linked to headaches and migraines.  Even mild liver dysfunction, because of the liver meridian’s link to the gallbladder meridian, can result in headache pain along that meridian.  Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease is an almost sure recipe for debilitating, chronic migraine episodes.  (More about Fatty Liver Disease, can be found in the information about Ledum Essential Oil.) There are many problems associated with a fatty liver.  Here is a very brief list of some of them.

• Fat cells soak up toxins, thus filling the liver with toxins it cannot process and expel.
• Red blood cells, “born” in the liver, become deformed.  In addition, they may then carry toxins into the bloodstream.
• Liver, compromised, fails to properly filter the blood.
• Weight problems, especially around the abdomen occur.
• To say nothing of great difficulty losing weight.
• Elevated cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
• Increased susceptibility to Type 2 Diabetes.
• Subsequently, and increased risk of insulin resistance.
• Great and pervasive fatigue.
• Lowered immune response.
• Migraine headaches, as well as other headaches.  

Scenario Three

The neurotransmitter, serotonin, is a major player in liver regeneration.  Since the liver is constantly under attack by the toxins it removes from the bloodstream, regeneration is important to it.

In addition, serotonin is responsible for such things as learning abilities, aiding sleep, regulating body temperature and metabolism, wound healing, and relieving anxiety and depression.  Importantly, where headaches are concerned, serotonin prevents the narrowing of blood vessels in small muscle groups such as those found in the neck!   Naturally, when the muscles and blood vessels of the neck constrict, headaches are one of the unfortunate results. 80% of the body’s supply of serotonin is manufactured in the intestinal tract (the gut).  Proper gallbladder and liver function is absolutely critical to gut health.  Proper manufacture and distribution of serotonin throughout the body is certainly impossible if the gut is clogged and poorly functioning. Also, there can be many variations and combinations of these three scenarios!

Location and Nature of the Pain

The gallbladder meridian runs across the shoulders then upward across the back of the neck and head.  It comes to a point just above the eyebrows before heading back down the head to the conjunction of the head with the neck (Meridian Point GB 20).  From there it moves up and runs along the top of the ears to the temporomandibular joint.  From this important joint, it moves to its final destination at the outside corner of the eyes.  It is easy to see, from where the gallbladder meridian runs, why hyperactivity of Yang energy along this meridian could be responsible for a great many types of nasty headaches.

Headache (and other) Symptoms – many and varied

• All over the head.  Head feels distending and about to burst.  Irritable and easily angered.  Dizziness and blurred vision.  There is ringing in the ears, numbness, and tingling of arms and legs, insomnia, lumbar soreness, weakness in the knees and a flushed face.  Caused by an upsurge of Liver Yang energy.

• All over the head.  Alternatively, the head feels dull, heavy, and fuzzy – the head feels wrapped in a cloth.  Accompanied by foggy thinking, dizziness, restlessness, paraphasia (using words incorrectly), chest heaviness, palpitations, nausea, rapid breathing, excess salivation, and cold limbs.  The entire digestive tract is likely out of balance.

• Localized pain.  Stabbing, splitting pain.  Pain manifests either along the gallbladder meridian in the head or along the collateral nerves this meridians energy feeds.  Localized to a small area.  It may be intermittent – coming and going – but the coming and going of the headache will be lingering, perhaps even chronic.

• Top of the head – Vertex.  The top of the head is, typically, the location of the pain.  Liver Yang rising may be responsible.  Alternatively, the problem may be related to a Liver Blood deficiency – anemia or poor circulation, for example.

• Behind or above the eyes.  Headache pain behind or just above the eyes.  Liver Yang rising.  Quite naturally,  it affects the gallbladder meridian point GB 14 as it rises.

• Side of the head – temporal.  Severe headache pain on the side of the head where the meridian is compromised.  The pain is often one-sided.  The right side is, more often than not, where the pain is felt with this type of one-sided headache.  Usually, this is caused by inflammation from yang hyperactivity along the gallbladder meridian at points 7 through 11.  (*Temporal tap, discussed below under Possible Meridian Points, is helpful here.)

Other Symptoms of Gallbladder Distress

• Sudden pain in the upper right or center of the abdomen.
• Sudden pain between the shoulder blades or, sometimes, only in the right shoulder.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eyes.
• High fever.

The most common symptom of gallbladder stress, however, is pain in the upper back.  This is where the gallbladder meridian crosses through the area between the neck and the shoulder.  Tight muscles and impingement of the nerve pathway there is, too often, the cause of gallbladder related headaches.

Possible Remedies

Essential Oils  

Angelica – and blends that contain Angelica.  Appropriate Butterfly blends containing Angelica include ^LeBenediction, ^LeConnection, ^LeTrust, and ^LeUnity. Essential oils specific to the gallbladder and liver meridians include Bergamot, Carrot Seed, Chamomile German, Clove, Fennel, Frankincense, Helichrysum, Lavender, Lemon, Lime, Mandarin, Melissa, Orange Bitter, Orange Sweet, Peppermint, Sandalwood, Yarrow. The gallbladder meridian responds well to Butterfly essential oils blends of  ^LeBelieve, ^LeConnection, ^LeKadence, ^LeLivN, ^LeMillenia, ^LePurify, ^LeReconciliation, ^LeSanctuary, ^LeWhispering Hope, and ^LeWisdom.  (For explanations of each of these oils as they apply to these meridians, please see  Butterfly Miracles with Essential Oils, Chapter 12 – Eastern Healing Philosophy, under the information for the #1 Wood/Season of Spring & Wind Meridian.)  

Diffuse any of these essential oils or dilute and apply to the body.   The bottoms of the feet make a very nice place to put essential oils.  A drop or two, literally, in the tub would also be nice.  Be a little careful with Peppermint and ^LePurify.  In fact, they are probably better used in another way rather than in the tub. Placing essential oils on Meridian points works very well.  The neurovascular points for the Gallbladder and Liver meridians, pictured below, would be especially appropriate.  Using an essential oil on your fingertips when holding any of the points below makes point holding even more effective.

Meridian Points

Place a drop of essential oil on the tip of your fingers.  Then, place your fingertip on the points.  Begin with the points behind the knee.  Next, hold the points just below the collar bone (K27s).  The anterior fontanel may be held with the other hand at the same time.  In fact, all of the points may be held at the same time if you have another person to hold some of them for you.  If not, follow the order discussed here.  Hold the points for as long as needed.  If you feel energy, you will feel the pulses settle into an even rhythm, both sides pulsing together.  If you don’t feel energy, simply hold the points for 2 or 3 minutes. Much more information about acupressure points and the use of them for emotional and physical healing is covered in the Chrysalis classes held by Butterfly Expressions.  

Herbal Solutions

Headaches, especially migraines, often either begin with or eventually strain the nerve pathways in the head and neck.  Therefore, a good place to start herbally, is with Nervine formulas.  Nervine herbs, more than any other class of herbs, tend to cause sensitivity reactions in susceptible people every once in a while.  For these reasons, the Butterfly line consists of more than one herbal formula.  NV is the classic, most complete formula.  Others are NS, NT (very mild), and NVC (a nervine remedy that is mild enough for children but also excellent for adults).   However,  BBL is, absolutely my favorite herbal nervine remedy. The HD remedy should also be considered.

Herbs specific to the gallbladder and liver are Agrimony, Alfalfa, Blue vervain, Burdock, Butcher’s Broom, Cape Aloes, Catnip, Cleavers, Cascara Sagrada, Cramp Bark, Dandelion, Devil’s Claw, Fennel, Gentian, Ginger, Horsetail, Hydrangea, Milk Thistle, Oregon Grape, Parsley, Peppermint, Slippery Elm, Turmeric, Wild Yam, Yarrow, Yellow Dock.  Lecithin and digestive enzymes are also helpful.  The combination, GI, is very effective.   Taken a few minutes – 10 or so – before eating, bitters notify the gallbladder to spill the bile needed for proper digestion.

Another excellent formula for the gallbladder is COLA.  This remedy is for digestive colic of any kind. My book, Butterfly Miracles with Herbal Remedies, discusses an herbal cleanse program that is gentle and can be individually tailored to each person’s needs.  This program was a big part of my own win in my battle with migraine headaches years ago. Other herbs to consider are Kelp/Dulse.  In addition, blackstrap molasses is a good way to nourish the liver.

Magnesium

Not exactly herbal but very important.  Magnesium is essential in more than 300 separate chemical reactions in the body.  It plays an important role in the assimilation and distribution of calcium in the body.  Thus, Magnesium helps prevent kidney stones and gallstones.  Magnesium also improves the cardiovascular system,  helps regulate blood sugar, and maintains normal nerve and muscle function. Herbs containing magnesium include Alfalfa, Catnip, Cascara Sagrada, Cayenne, Chamomile, Dandelion, Eyebright, Fennel, Fenugreek, Ginger, Hops, Horsetail, Kelp/Dulse, Lemongrass, Licorice, Mullein, Nettles, Oatstraw, Paprika, Parsley, Peppermint, Raspberry Leaf, Red Clover, Rosemary, Sage, Shepherd’s Purse, and Yarrow.

Potassium

Potassium is essential for the membranes responsible for nerve conduction and aids in muscle contraction, and, therefore, heart function.  This mineral is necessary for the regulation of water balance in the body and regulates acid/alkaline balance, as well. Herbs containing Potassium are Alfalfa, Blue Cohosh, Birch, Cascara Sagrada, Chamomile, Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Dandelion, Dulse, Eyebright, Fennel, Ginger, Kelp/Dulse, Mistletoe, Mullein, Nettles, Papaya, Parsley, Peppermint, Plantain, Raspberry, Rosemary, Shepherd’s Purse, White Oak Bark, and Yarrow.

Homeopathic Remedies 

Homeopathic low potency Blessed Water combinations to consider include Rescue Remedy, ER911, the Gallbladder Meridian Balance Remedy, the Liver Meridian Balance Remedy, Glandular Support #3, Migraine #1 and Migraine #2,  Headaches #1 and #2, CFS #3,  Nerve #1 and Nerve #2.   Low potency combination remedies, either homeopathic or Blessed Waters, are very helpful, especially if you are not really familiar with homeopathic principles.  They can bring relief, sometimes even instant relief.  Other remedies to consider Bap, Berb, Bry, Calc, Cham, Chin, Lach, Lyc, and Sep.  There are, also many other possible remedies. Deeper level healing usually requires a single remedy in a higher potency.  There are pages and pages of suggested remedies in decent homeopathic repertories.  Another segment of this series of articles discusses homeopathic remedies for headaches and migraines in more detail.

Meridian Points

I have listed remedies and Meridian points for the gallbladder and liver together because they are so very nearly the same list.  If one of these organs is struggling, the other one inevitably is struggling also.   Acupuncturists tell us that it is possible to release built-up tension and vascular constriction in the shoulder, neck, and head with acupressure points.  “If the tension is relieved,” they claim, “the headache is relieved.”  Many times, in my experience, the headache is prevented at the tight muscle stage, going away before it can even get established.  I  have found that the holding of these points is, often, equally as effective as going for an acupuncture treatment.  Energy is very forgiving with the holding of meridian points.  It is not necessary to be spot-on the point.  Intention (wanting to and intending to do good), if you are anywhere close, gets the job done nicely.

General Points for Gallbladder/Liver Headaches

GB 20 – (located at the base of the skull, on either side of the neck) – a major point for subduing Liver Yang as it rises.  Additionally, it will relax the muscles of the upper neck and bring light back into the eyes. Liv 2 and 3 – calms the Liver and quiets rising Yang. GB 9 – (located above the ears) – Reduces hyperactive Yang. Sp6 – The crossing point of the Liver, Spleen, and Kidney meridians.  This point will nourish Liver and Kidney Yin and, hence, provides water for the growth of wood.  Wood is this meridians earthly element.  Calms the mind and promotes restful, dream-free sleep. K 3 – also nourishes Kidney Yin.

Headache above the eyebrows

Bl 2 (located at the medial – inside – edge of the eyebrows) – headache with blurring of vision and, possibly, watery eyes. Use with GB 60 – a main point for headache from excess emotion or energy, ST 8 – headaches with eye pain, vision disturbance, nausea (in other words, a classic migraine), Liv 4 – specific to frontal headaches, and BL 20 – a major point for every type of spleen related issue.  Additionally, for all blood-related issues from menstrual problems to blood in the stool.  Very important for Spleen Chi deficiency and the accompanying debilitating fatigue.

Frontal Headache

St 8 – headaches with eye pain, vision disturbance, nausea (in other words, a classic migraine). St 44 – clears heat created by the stomach and digestive tract. GV 23 – sinus headache, visual dizziness. GB 14 – frontal headache, often with the involvement of the eyes.

Occipital Headache

Bl 10 – Occipital (back of the head, at the spinal connection) – If there is stiffness on one side of the neck, this point should be combined with SI 3  (discussed below) on the same side of the body and GB 39 – a bone marrow point (the head is the sea of marrow), held on the opposite side of the body. GV 19 – Headache with vertigo, dizziness, and neck pain.  Insomnia.  Manic symptoms. SI 3 – Master point of the gallbladder meridian.  Affects the entire pathway. Headache with neck stiffness and upper neck strain.

Headache at the Temple

TW 5 – The headache that this point addresses manifests at the temples but comes with stiffness and pain at the back and sides of the neck.  Often severe enough and chronic enough to be classed as a migraine. GB 8 – ( located directly above the eyes)  For a classic migraine, either one-sided or both sides of the head.  Usually manifests with nausea, vomiting and visual disturbances. GB 41 – For migraines of many sorts, especially menstrually related ones.  Headache pain may be temporal but may, alternatively, display as occipital or only at the vertex.

Headache at the Vertex

GV 20 – This point, as you might recall from TCM – Part One of this series, is a major point for the relief of headaches with dizziness and eye pain.  This is especially true when Yin deficiency has allowed for Yang hyperactivity in the upper body. SI 3 – Master point of the gallbladder meridian.  Therefore, it affects the entire pathway. Headache with neck stiffness and upper neck strain.  Also for occipital headaches. Bl 67 – Even though this point is located on the feet, it clears pain and/or stagnation from the opposite end of the channel – in the head and in the eyes. Bl 7 – Headaches with dizziness and neck pain.  Possibly with fainting. Liv 3 – Headache with dizziness, blurred vision, and pain in the eyes.  This is a major calming point for anger, irritability, anxiety, and insomnia.

Temporal Tapping

This “temporal tap'” is one of the best things I have learned from Donna Eden’s book, Energy Medicine.   The temporal tap may also be used at any time to calm you when you are feeling agitated.   Any phrase that seems appropriate may be “tapped in” as a way of dealing with stress or “triggered” emotional reactions.  This is done by tapping smoothly using your fingertips, along the gallbladder meridian from points beginning at the temples, tapping over and then behind the ears.  Do this procedure several times.  It is helpful to tap in some positive thing that you want to happen in your life.  For headaches, you might try something like, “I no longer respond to stress by getting agitated, tense, or having a headache.”

 

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This blog is part of a series on headaches.  This series includes. . . .