A Chinese Medicine Formula for Treating Depression

Depression is common in adults, especially in women due to the double pressure for doing the job and fro taking care of her family. A number of drugs are used but the side effects are too severe to consider. Here is the Chinese formula – commonly used to treat depression or anxiety.

Chinese Name: Xiao Yao Wan
English Name: Free and Easy Wanderer

Formula Category based on Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Harmonize
Regulate and Harmonize the Liver and Spleen

Clinical Usage and Indications based on Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Depression, anxiety, Headache, vertigo, hypochondriac pain, fatigue, poor appetite, bitter taste in the mouth. In women – PMS, breast distention, irregular menstruation, fertility issues.

The Pulse will be wiry and deficient and the Tongue will be pale-red/purplish.
Related TCM Diagnostic Patterns
Liver Blood Deficiency
Liver Qi Stagnation
Spleen Qi Deficiency

Clinical Formula Combinations and Modifications:
Gui Pi Wan or Ba Zhen Wan – Irregular Menstruation, Infertility
Si Wu Wan – Irregular Menstruation due to Blood Deficiency and Qi Stagnation
Wu Ling San Wan – Premenstrual Fluid Retention

Related Western Medical Conditions:

Anxiety
Depression
Infertility
Irregular Menstruation
Postpartum Depression
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Individual Chinese Herbs In This Formula:

1.Bai Shao (Chinese peony root)
Herb Functions:
Nourishes the blood and regulates menstrual problems due to blood deficiency (pale, lusterless complexion and nails) – menstrual dysfunction, vaginal discharge, uterine bleeding – very common herb for gynecological disorders (Si Wu Tang).

Calms liver yang, alleviates pain from constrained liver qi or disharmony between the liver and the spleen due to liver yang rising – cramping and spasms (limbs and abdomen), abdominal pain from dysentery, headache and dizziness.

Preserves yin, adjusts ying and wei levels – vaginal discharge and spermatorrhea, exterior wind-cold from deficiency with continuous sweating, spontaneous sweating, night sweats.

Contraindications
Incompatible with Li Lu
Avoid in cases of yang deficiency and cold in the middle jiao – diarrhea, cold sensation in the stomach.

2. Bai Zhu (white atractylodes rhizome)
Herb Functions
Tonifies the spleen, augments qi, dries dampness – diarrhea, fatigue, lack of appetite, vomiting, edema.
Stabilizes the exterior and stops sweating – spontaneous sweating due to qi deficiency.
Calms the fetus – arising from spleen deficiency.

3. Chai Hu (bupleurum root)
Herb Functions:
Clears shao yang disorders and reduces fever – alternating chills and fever, bitter taste in the mouth, irritability, vomiting, stifling sensation in the chest.

Relieves liver qi stagnation (often used with Bai Shao) – vertigo, menstrual disorders, chest and flank pain, the most common herb to treat stress, irritability, depression, etc.; also for liver and spleen disharmony – bloating, nausea, indigestion, flank pain.

Raises yang qi in spleen and stomach deficiency patterns (often used with Sheng Ma) – prolapsed organ, diarrhea, hemorrhoids.

Contraindications
Due to its rising and dispersing nature avoid in yin deficiency or liver yang rising.
May cause nausea or vomiting – use a smaller dose if necessary.

4. Dang Gui (Chinese angelica root)
Herb Functions

Tonifies the blood, regulates menses – pallid, ashen complexion, tinnitus, blurred vision, palpitations, irregular menses, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea.

Invigorates/harmonizes the blood, disperses cold – important herb to stop pain due to blood stasis – abdominal pain, trauma, carbuncles due to blood stasis, chronic bi.

Moistens dry intestines due to blood deficiency.
Reduces swellings, expels pus, generates flesh – sores.

5. Fu Ling (tuckahoe mushroom)

Herb Functions
Promotes urination, drains dampness, transforms phlegm – urinary difficulty, diarrhea, edema, headache, dizziness, greasy tongue coat.

Strengthens the spleen, harmonizes the middle jiao – diarrhea, loss of appetite.
Quiets the heart and calms the spirit – palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness.

Contraindications
Avoid Vinegar While Using This Herb.

6. Zhi Gan Cao (Chinese liquorice root)
Herb Functions
This preparation increases the qi tonifying aspects of the heart and spleen along with its general harmonizing function within formulas.

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