Sinus Headache - Wind-Cold Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Sinus Headache · Wind-Cold Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Head

Pattern Overview

Wind-Cold is a common pattern in sinus headache, characterized by acute sinus mucosal congestion and edema, headache radiating to the nose, nasal congestion with clear discharge, sneezing, and chills. The core pathogenesis is invasion of Wind-Cold pathogens into the nasal passages, causing Lung Qi to fail to disperse, nasal congestion, and headache.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Headache radiating to the nose, nasal congestion with clear discharge, sneezing |

| Associated Symptoms | Chills, fever, neck stiffness, no sweating |

| Tongue and Pulse | Pale red tongue with thin white coating, floating and tense pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Wind-Cold pathogens invading the nasal passages |

| Etiology | Cold exposure, sudden weather changes, air conditioning drafts |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| Fengchi (GB20) | Depression below the occipital bone, between the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius | Disperses Wind-Cold and clears the head |

| Hegu (LI4) | Dorsum of the hand, between the 1st and 2nd metacarpals | Disperses Wind and releases the exterior |

| Lieque (LU7) | Above the wrist, on the radial side, in the depression between the tendons | Diffuses the Lung and opens the nasal passages |

| Yingxiang (LI20) | In the nasolabial groove, at the level of the midpoint of the lateral border of the ala nasi | Opens the nasal passages and disperses Wind |

| Yintang (EX-HN3) | Midpoint between the eyebrows | Clears the head and opens the nasal passages |

Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reducing method; may combine with moxibustion on Fengmen (BL12) and Feishu (BL13) to warm and disperse Cold.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Cang Er Zi San (苍耳子散)

Composition:

Xanthium (Cang Er Zi), Magnolia Flower (Xin Yi), Angelica Dahurica (Bai Zhi), Mint (Bo He), Saposhnikovia (Fang Feng), Schizonepeta (Jing Jie), Licorice (Gan Cao)

Action: Disperses Wind-Cold, opens the nasal passages, and relieves headache.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Severe chills | Add Ma Huang, Gui Zhi to release the exterior and disperse Cold |

| Nasal congestion | Add Xi Xin, E Bu Shi Cao to open the nasal passages |

| Headache | Add Chuan Xiong, Qiang Huo to disperse Wind and stop pain |

| Neck stiffness | Add Ge Gen to relax sinews and unblock collaterals |

| Cough | Add Xing Ren, Jie Geng to diffuse the Lung and stop cough |

Western Mechanism Reference

Acute sinus mucosal congestion and edema with cold air-induced reflex vasodilation of nasal mucosa. Wind-Cold corresponds to acute viral sinusitis or vasomotor rhinitis triggered by cold exposure, where nasal mucosal vasodilation and congestion contribute to headache and nasal obstruction.

References

  1. Otolaryngology of TCM - Sinusitis with Wind-Cold.

  2. Zang-Fu Pattern Differentiation: Wind-Cold → Clearing Pathway.

  3. WHO. (2023). Respiratory health. World Health Organization.

Explore More

  • Find your solution at MendGod.com – Personalized herbal protocols and acupressure tools for sinus relief.

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