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In Chinese medicine, the delicate interplay between the body's energies defines our well-being. As TCM practitioners, we understand that emotional turmoil is often a reflection of internal imbalances. Depression, anxiety, and stress, while seemingly modern afflictions, have been addressed in our tradition for centuries. With a focus on restoring harmony within, Chinese herbs stand as safe, natural and effective remedies toward mental and emotional equilibrium.
We have put together a list of six Chinese herbs rooted in centuries of observation and practice, as well as modern scientific research to understand how these remedies address the nuanced layers of depression, anxiety, and stress, alleviate the symptoms and rectify the imbalances that underlie them.
1. Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang
This unique herbal formulation, Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang, is a cornerstone in traditional Chinese medicine, specifically designed to address emotional imbalances arising from liver Qi stagnation.
Ingredients:
Chai Hu (Bupleurum): Known for its ability to regulate the flow of Qi in the liver, Chai Hu acts as the primary component in this blend. It gently soothes the liver, easing its tendency to become agitated or stagnant, which can lead to emotional upheaval, irritability, and mood swings.
Long Gu (Fossilized Bone) and Mu Li (Oyster Shell): These minerals, Long Gu and Mu Li, play a vital role. Long Gu has a calming effect on the heart and spirit, stabilizing emotions, while Mu Li anchors and calms the liver. Together, they create a synergistic balance that helps settle the mind and spirit.
Action and Effects: Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang works by harmonising the liver and heart meridians, ensuring a smooth flow of Qi throughout the body. It disperses stagnant Qi in the liver, which is often the root cause of emotional disturbances. Stagnant Qi, when left unaddressed, can lead to feelings of irritability, restlessness, and even palpitations.
Restoring Emotional Balance: In cases where emotional imbalances stem from liver Qi stagnation, this herbal blend acts as a gentle guide, redirecting the flow of energy, and promoting emotional harmony. By clearing the stagnation, Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang not only alleviates immediate symptoms but also addresses the underlying cause. As the liver Qi flows smoothly, emotional upheaval subsides, and a sense of calm is restored.
2. Xiao Yao Wan:
Xiao Yao Wan, the "Free and Easy Wanderer," combines Bupleurum, Dong Quai, and White Peony among others. It harmonises the liver and spleen, pacifying the liver's agitation and nourishing the spleen's weakened Qi. By addressing these imbalances, it soothes the mind, alleviating stress, and irritability.
Xiao Yao Wan, translating to the "Free and Easy Wanderer" in Chinese, is a renowned herbal formula deeply rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. Crafted with a blend of powerful herbs, it is specifically designed to harmonize the liver and spleen meridians, offering profound benefits for emotional well-being.
Ingredients:
Chai Hu (Bupleurum): Known for its ability to soothe liver Qi, Chai Hu forms the core of Xiao Yao Wan. By regulating the flow of Qi, it alleviates irritability, restlessness, and mood swings.
Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root): Nourishes the Blood and harmonizes the liver, enhancing emotional stability and calming the mind.
Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome): Strengthens the spleen, promoting digestion and ensuring the smooth flow of Qi and Blood.
Fu Ling (Poria Mushroom): Drains dampness, clears the mind, and calms the spirit, contributing to a sense of tranquility.
Bo He (Peppermint): Dispels liver heat, reducing feelings of anger and frustration.
Action and Effects: Xiao Yao Wan is renowned for its ability to relieve liver Qi stagnation, a common cause of emotional disturbances such as irritability and stress. By harmonizing the liver and spleen, this herbal blend restores the smooth flow of Qi and Blood throughout the body. As a result, it addresses symptoms of emotional imbalance, including mood swings, anxiety, and feelings of being overwhelmed.
3. Ren Shen Yang Rong Herbal Tea Granules
Ren Shen Yang Rong Herbal Tea Granules, a revered gem in traditional Chinese medicine, embodies the essence of rejuvenation. With Ren Shen, or Ginseng, at its heart, this herbal blend is meticulously crafted to invigorate the body's core, enhancing energy levels and fortifying the spirit. Its adaptogenic nature fortifies the body against the ravages of stress, enhancing endurance, and promoting mental clarity.
Ingredients:
Ren Shen (Ginseng): Renowned as the "King of Herbs," Ginseng boosts Qi, promoting vitality and overall stamina. It bolsters the body's ability to cope with stress, enhancing endurance and mental clarity.
Huang Qi (Astragalus): A Qi tonic, Huang Qi strengthens the body's immune system and enhances energy levels, combating fatigue and promoting a sense of well-being.
Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root): Nourishes the Blood, ensuring proper circulation and vitality. It supports the body's resilience, promoting emotional balance and stability.
Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome): Strengthens the spleen, aiding digestion, and ensuring efficient energy utilization. It reinforces the body's foundation, promoting a robust constitution.
Action and Effects: Ren Shen Yang Rong Herbal Tea Granules act as a potent adaptogen, enhancing the body's ability to adapt to stress and promoting overall vitality. By strengthening Qi and nourishing the Blood, it fosters resilience against physical and mental fatigue, promoting enduring energy and emotional stability.
Nourishing Vitality: This herbal tea is a powerhouse of natural vitality. Its precise combination of herbs ensures a harmonious balance between body and mind. By bolstering the body's core energies, it not only enhances physical endurance but also fortifies emotional resilience.
4. Jia Wei Xiao Yao Herbal Tea Granules: Cooling the Mind, Calming the Spirit
Jia Wei Xiao Yao Herbal Tea Granules, a revered formula in traditional Chinese medicine, embodies the essence of serenity and balance. Crafted with a delicate blend of cooling herbs, this herbal concoction is meticulously designed to pacify liver heat, dispel stagnation, and bring tranquility to the restless mind.
Ingredients:
Chai Hu (Bupleurum): Soothes liver Qi stagnation, alleviating irritability and restlessness.
Bo He (Peppermint): Clears liver heat, reducing feelings of anger and frustration.
Mu Dan Pi (Tree Peony Bark): Cools the blood and liver, dispelling heat and promoting emotional calmness.
Zhi Zi (Gardenia Fruit): Clears heat and reduces irritability, helping to pacify the mind and spirit.
Bai Shao (White Peony Root): Nourishes the blood, calming the liver and ensuring emotional stability.
Action and Effects: Jia Wei Xiao Yao Herbal Tea Granules work by harmonising the liver and spleen, addressing liver Qi stagnation and excessive liver heat. By clearing heat from the liver, this herbal blend restores emotional balance and dissipates feelings of irritability, frustration, and anxiety.
5. An Shen Ding Zhi Wan: Tranquilising the Mind, Settling the Will
An Shen Ding Zhi Wan, a revered herbal formula in traditional Chinese medicine, embodies the essence of peacefulness and inner calm. Expertly crafted, this blend of calming herbs is designed to quiet the heart, nourish the blood, and soothe the spirit, offering solace to those troubled by anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia.
Ingredients:
Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphus): Nourishes the heart, calms the spirit, and induces tranquil sleep, providing relief from insomnia and restlessness.
Yuan Zhi (Polygala Root): Clears the mind, dissipates phlegm, and soothes emotional agitation, aiding in mental clarity and focus.
Fu Shen (Poria Mushroom): Calms the heart, nourishes the spirit, and promotes deep relaxation, alleviating feelings of unease and restlessness.
Long Yan Rou (Longan Fruit): Tonifies the blood, calms the mind, and enhances emotional stability, fostering a sense of tranquility and inner peace.
Action and Effects: An Shen Ding Zhi Wan acts by nurturing the heart and calming the spirit. By tonifying the blood, it provides essential nourishment to the heart, ensuring stable emotions and a serene mind. It addresses symptoms of insomnia, palpitations, and emotional unease, restoring peacefulness to the troubled soul.
Tranquilising the Mind: This herbal formula serves as a gentle guide to quiet the restless mind. Its blend of calming herbs acts as a natural sedative, promoting restful sleep, dissipating anxiety, and restoring emotional balance. By addressing the root causes of insomnia and restlessness, An Shen Ding Zhi Wan offers a pathway to deep serenity and inner harmony.
6. Shi Quan Da Bu Wan: Nourishing the Body, Fortifying the Spirit
Shi Quan Da Bu Wan, a revered herbal masterpiece in traditional Chinese medicine, embodies the essence of vitality and resilience. This extraordinary blend of tonifying herbs is meticulously crafted to replenish Qi and Blood, strengthen the body's foundation, and enhance overall energy, offering endurance to those grappling with chronic fatigue, stress, and weakness.
Ingredients:
Huang Qi (Astragalus): A powerful Qi tonic, Huang Qi enhances the body's immune system, boosts energy, and combats fatigue, promoting overall vitality.
Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root): Nourishes the Blood, ensuring proper circulation and vitality. It strengthens the body's foundation, fostering emotional stability and inner strength.
Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome): Strengthens the spleen, aids digestion, and ensures efficient energy utilization. It reinforces the body's core, promoting endurance and stamina.
Ren Shen (Ginseng): A renowned adaptogen, Ginseng fortifies the body against stress, enhances mental clarity, and fosters resilience, allowing the body to cope with challenges.
Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber): Nourishes Yin, moistens the lungs, and quenches thirst, ensuring the body is well-hydrated and energized.
Action and Effects: Shi Quan Da Bu Wan acts by replenishing both Qi and Blood, addressing deficiencies that lead to chronic fatigue and weakness. By enhancing the body's core energies, it fosters endurance, mental clarity, and emotional stability. It serves as a foundation for overall well-being, promoting resilience against life's demands.
Fortifying the Body and Spirit: This herbal formula serves as a robust tonic for the body and spirit. Its blend of strengthening herbs fortifies the body's foundational energies, promoting enduring vitality and emotional stability. By addressing the root causes of fatigue and weakness, Shi Quan Da Bu Wan offers a pathway to sustained energy and inner fortitude.
These herbal formulas, crafted with precision, embody the essence of Chinese medicine. They not only provide symptomatic relief but also recalibrate the body's fundamental energies, fostering enduring mental and emotional well-being. As with any herbal remedy, if you have any queries please consult with one of our qualified Chinese Herbalists to ensure you receive the right remedy for your individual needs, and to ensure the most effective and safe results. All consultations are free.
At Care Cure our board certified Chinese medicine herbalists offer free advice on all herbal products to ensure you receive the right herbs for you. Please contact us if you have any queries, we are here to help.
Care Cure offer a full range of Chinese medicine treatments for stress, anxiety and depression. Learn more here.
Care Cure are Ireland's leading Traditional Chinese Medicine specialists. We have clinics in Dublin 4 and Dun Laoghaire.