For those suffering from mild depression, Chinese medicine’s multi-level approach may be of use. Lighter diets and exercises such as Qi Gong or Tai Qi can be helpful even in more serious cases. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, depression is often linked to Liver Qi Stagnation, but, there may be Spleen, Heart or Kidney Deficiency as well.
Mind-Body Exercise
Mind-body exercise is most useful in the morning when the Liver is sluggish from filtering the Blood during the night. The exercise need not be energetic but it is important that it include deep breathing and stretching. Tai Qi and Qi Gung are normally done out of doors with minimal footwear so that the person is ‘connected to the earth’ while performing the exercises. This may have the added advantage of encouraging people to spend some time outside which may also help ease depression symptoms.
Diet Changes to Calm the Liver
Foods that specifically help ease depression according to Traditional Chinese Medicine principles are the next part of the treatment. Wild blue-green micro algae (Aphanizomenon flos aquae) or apple cider vinegar diluted in a little water are both useful for mild symptoms. Adding a small amount of honey or stevia to the vinegar will increase the effectiveness of this treatment.
Other foods which may help include brown rice, cucumbers and cabbage. Mung beans and seaweeds cool and calm the Liver. The seaweeds have the added advantage of helping clear other toxins from the body. It is, however, important to use seaweeds from clean water sources as ocean contamination issues affect these plants.
Avoiding rich, heavy meals and eating lightly in the evening will also help the Liver to function more effectively which will help ease depression symptoms. For those who have strong digestive systems, fresh raw vegetables should be an important part of the diet. If digestion is a problem, lightly sautéing or steaming would be appropriate.
Herbal Formulas for Depression
Based on the depression symptoms the client is experiencing, the TCM practitioner will develop a formula for that individual. The formula may focus on clearing the Liver, moving Blood and/or tonifying the Spleen, Heart or Kidneys depending on what is indicated for the depressed client. Recently studies have shown that Ru Xiang, or incense, which has long been used in Chinese Medicine, has potential as a depression treatment.
For clients taking antidepressant medication, it will be critical that their Chinese Medicine practitioner know what those medications are as they will affect the choice of herbs used in the formula. Likewise, the physician should be aware of what herbal formula is being given. Both Western and Chinese medical practitioners have access to a great deal of information about herb and drug interactions and side effects which will allow them to safely combine depression treatments, provided that the client is clear about all medications being taken.
Dawn M. Smith - A vet nurse, Dawn has worked in wildlife rehabilitation and conservation around the world in addition to her veterinary hospital ...
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