Causes of Depression and Anxiety

Most of us see depression and anxiety as brain problems caused by abnormal brain chemistry. Pharmaceutical drugs are used to alter the brain’s chemistry, creating the feeling of normalcy. Traditional Chinese medicine understands depression and anxiety as problems caused by constraint of emotion in the chest. We believe that changes in brain chemistry are secondary to and in some cases a consequence of this emotional constraint. Chinese Herbs for Depression and Anxiety help to create emotional space in the chest.

Constraint of Chest Energy, Liver Qi Stagnation

Loss, memory of loss, repressed expression, and other stressful events will cause constraint of energy in the chest, restraining the normal flows of qi and blood in the central and upper body. We call this Liver Qi Stagnation and it can affect more than the Liver.  Heat in the Liver can lead to Heat in the Heart, with symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks,  arrhythmias, and even some forms of psychosis.

Constrained Liver Qi can also attack the digestion causing symptoms of acid reflux, belching, constipation, and diarrhea.

Treating Liver Qi Stagnation

To Treat Liver Qi Stagnation we need to release the pent-up Qi of The Chest.
 This is be done by crying, laughing or vigorously exercising the chest to release this tension. .
Shadow boxing, breathing exercises, yogic techniques, massage can all help. Push-ups work like Prozac. Results are instantaneous and can last for hours or days.

Herbs for Depression and Anxiety

Most herbs used for depression and anxiety move the liver qi.

Chai hu, or bupleurum, is the best known of these herbs. Though it is classified as a surface relieving herb, which might be used for colds, etc., its most common use is to move the qi of the chest. Its ability to do this is greatly enhanced by combining it with a small amount of mint (bo he).

He Huan Pi, mimosa bark (albezzia) is classified as a heart nourishing herb. When combined with DAN SHEN (salvia miltiorrhiza), it strongly moves the qi of the chest.

Mu Li (oyster shell) and Long Gu (fossil bone) are said to settle the spirit. We use them as calming agents when someone is beginning to take flight of reality.

Other herbs used in these formulas include poria (fu shen), red dates (hong zao), and wheat berries (fu xiao mai), amber (hu po), and loadstone (ci shi) are also considered strong stabilizing agents, and are administered for limited periods of time to stabilize the spirit.

Taken alone, these herbs may exert only a mild effect. In certain combinations, however, the results can be quite powerful.

Formulas for Depression and Anxiety

Based on a 900-year-old formula, It uses bupleurum (CHAI HU) and other natural substances to relieve chest constraint and to promote the free flow of Qi in the chest.

Jia Wei Xiao Yao Wan
Similar to Free & Easy, this formula contains added herbs to clear heat from the heart. This makes it an excellent choice for those suffering from anxiety as well as depression.

Smiling Buddha Powder
Smiling Buddha is similar to Jia Wei Xiao Yao San, but uses a different combination of herbs, (HE HUAN PI and DAN SHEN) to clear heat from the heart and improve one's state of well-being.

Chai Hu jia Long Gu Mu Li Wan
Sedates and calms the Spirit. Relieves the chest. Alleviates spasms

An Shen Ding Zhi Wan
Heart and Gallbladder Deficiency due to shock or fright. Strengthens Qi, Calms the Shen, Alleviates fearfulness, Calms the mind

Jia Wei Xiao Yao Wan

Smiling Buddha Powder

Chai Hu jia Long Gu Mu Li Wan

An Shen Ding Zhi Wan

ACUPUNCTURE FOR DEPRESSION

ACUPUNCTURE FOR DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND STRESS

Studies have suggested that treating depression with acupuncture has a positive effect on depressed patients, particularly when used in combination with psychotherapy and herbal treatments.

Findings suggest that using acupuncture could be as effective as other types of treatments for relieving depression symptoms such as psychotherapy and drugs. While these results are promising and the United Nations World Health Organization has approved acupuncture as a treatment for depression, further clinical trials with larger samples are deemed necessary to endorse this new hope for relief.