Can Chinese Herbs Help Clients with Depression?

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, April, 2001 by Andrew Gaeddert

Ease Plus (Chai Hu Long Gu Mu Li. Tang) enters the liver meridian and is therefore best used for liver complaints such as irritability, anger, and frustration. Dragonbone (Long Gu) and Oystershell (Mu Li) help calm the liver. Empirically these herbs are used for anxiety states and insomnia. Also present in this formula is Bupleurum (Chai Hit) which invigorates liver qi. The remaining herbs: (Ginseng Ron Shen, Ginger Gan Jiang, Pinellia Ban Xia, Scute Huang Qin, Cinnamon Gui Zhi, Rhubarb Da Huang, Saussurea Mu Xiang); balance the specific effects of these herbs. The pulse is wiry or fast and the tongue may be red around the edges.

Calm Spirit is based on the traditional formula Ding Xin Wan. This formula is used to address heart yin deficiency. It is particularly useful for anxiety-based depression and insomnia. This formula contains Biota (Bai Zi Ren) which is traditionally used for irritability, insomnia, and forgetfulness. Enzymes quench free radicals created during stress, and the calming nutrients included are Magnesium and Taurine. Poria spirit (Fu Shen) is especially known for its spirit quieting effects. In addition, Calm Spirit contains: (Peony Bai Shao, Tang-kuei Dang Gui, Polygala Yuan Zhi, Zizyphus Suan Zao Ren, Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong, Codonopsis Dang Shen, Succinum Ha Po). The pulse may be fast, and the tongue dry.

Shen Gem (Gui Pi Wan) is indicated for heart blood deficiency. This formula is best suited for someone with pale complexion, who has difficulty falling asleep, withdrawal, forgetfulness, and palpitations. The chief herbs in this formula are Ginseng (Ren Shen) and Astragalus (Huang Qi) which are among the strongest Chinese herbs for improving the spleen. Longan (Long Gan Rou) and Zizyphus (Suan Zao Ren) are specific ingredients which have calming effects. The remaining herbs (Poria Fu Ling, White Atractylodes Bai Zhu, Tang-kuei Dang Gui, Salvia Dan Shen, Amber Ha Po, Polygala Yuan Zhi, Saussurea Mu Xiang, Ginger Gan Jiang, Licorice Gan Cao, Cardamon Sha Ren) are for dampness, Qi stagnation, blood stagnation, and blood deficiency. The pulse would be thin and weak, and the tongue pale. A specific formula, St. John's Seng, combines the classical Gui Pi Wan formula with the well-known antidepressant St. John's wort.

These formulas can be taken with pharmaceutical medications and are best used with counseling, daily stress reduction and exercise programs. Herbs should be considered for at least three months as they address long-standing patterns. Individuals who are on multiple medications should be advised to take herbs at least two hours apart from pharmaceuticals, in order to minimize potential interactions. Practitioners should also advise clients to watch for untoward signs and symptoms, and to notify them immediately if such effects appear. Clearly many patients who have been on pharmaceuticals for a long period cannot and should not stop abruptly, lest withdrawal symptoms set in. Many antidepressant medications are highly addictive. Therefore, when individuals do wish to reduce or discontinue their medications, it should be done slowly by tapering the dosage after consulting with their prescribing physician.