Can Chinese Herbs Help Clients with Depression?

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

We kept Allen on the same protocol of herbs, suggesting that he take the herbs and the antidepressant two hours apart. As Allen had a great deal of trouble taking the herbs four times a day, he took the same number of tablets two times per day. Gradually, we tapered down the dosage, so he was taking Astra Essence, 3 tablets bid, plus Aspiration, 2 tablets bid. After another month on the herbs and the antidepressant, Allen was no longer depressed, although he still felt sad about his divorce and fearful about the return of cancer. Allen remained on the protocol for over a year. Tests showed the cancer was not growing.

Case 3

Ed has been in a hunting accident 5 years ago where he was accidentally shot at close range with a shotgun, requiring numerous surgeries. Since this incident Ed was on disability. He was in chronic pain and suffered from insomnia, depression, fatigue and migraine headaches. He was currently on Desyrel (trazodone hydrochloride), and Effexor (venlafaxine); he also took ibuprofen every four hours. His pulse was wiry and his tongue was red and dry.

We started him on Ease Plus 3 tablets qid and Posomon oil, containing (Menthol, Peppermint oil, Cinnamon, Tea oil, Licorice, and Scutellariae root); massaged into painful joints and muscles twice or more per day. We suggested that Ed walk every day and try to enroll in a tai chi or yoga class. After two weeks there was little change, although Ed thought the Posomon massage administered by his wife was slightly helpful. At this point we changed Ed's protocol to Ease Plus (two tablets qid) and Channel Flow which contains: (Corydalis Yan Hu Suo, Angelica Bai Zhi, Peony Bai Shao, Cinnamon twig Gui Zhi, Tang-kuei Dang Gui, Salvia Dan Shen, Myrrh Mo Yao, Frankincense Ru Xiang, Licorice Gan Cao); 2 tablets qid. After one month there was little improvement. When questioning Ed further, he had failed to walk most days, and had not enrolled in a yoga or tai chi class. We suggested that if he wanted to function more normally that these activities would be necessary. At this point we decided to concentrate on pain reliev ing strategies. Therefore his new protocol was AC-Q, which is specific for joint and muscle pain. AC-Q contains: (Clematis Wei Ling Xian, Ginseng Ren Shen, Siler Fang Feng, Saussurea Mu Xiang, Ho-shou-wu He Shou Wu, Rehmannia Shu Di Huang, Lindera Wu Yao, Chiang-huo Qiang Huo, Tangkuei Dang Gui, Gastrodia Tian Ma, Cinnamon Bark Rou Gui, Aquilaria Chen Xiang, Frankincense Ru Xiang, Coptis Huang Lian, Blue Citrus Qing Pi, Cloves Ding Xiang, Gentiana Qin Jiao, Achyranthes Niu Xi, Loranthus Sang Ji Sheng, Borneol Bing Pian, Asarum Xi Xin); 2 tablets qid, and Channel Flow 2 tab qid as well as the Posomon massage. Three months later Ed was walking every day and had enrolled in a tai chi class. Over time we changed his protocol to a more tonifying regimen, using Marrow Plus which contains: (Milletia Ji Xue Teng, Hoshou-wu He Shou Wu, Salvia Dan Shen, Codonopsis Dang Shen, Astragalus Huang Qi, Ligusticum Chuan Xiong, Raw Rehmannia Sheng Di Huang, Cooked Rehmannia Shu Di Huang, Lycium Gou Ji Zi, Tang-kuei Dang Gui, Lo tus Seed Lian Zi, Citrus Chen Pi, Red Date Extract Da Zao, Oryza Gu Ya, Gelatinum E Jiao), to strengthen his blood and Qi.