🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Depression is a syndrome involving multiple symptoms and signs, affecting both physical and psychological aspects. Its diagnostic criteria include low mood or sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, accompanied by sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, significant memory decline, frequent anxiety and tension, and in severe cases, suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
According to statistics, approximately 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression, making it a common and widespread illness. Since the 1990s, awareness of depression among medical professionals in China has improved. Because most depression patients—especially those with mild to moderate cases—are often referred to various departments in general hospitals, including TCM clinics—medical staff must possess certain capabilities in identifying, managing, and referring such patients to ensure timely treatment and save substantial medical resources.
Depression is not merely a temporary emotional low; it is a disease caused by neurotransmitter imbalance, requiring both pharmacological and psychological treatments for recovery.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), depression falls within the category of "Yu Zheng" (Stagnation Syndrome). The classic text *The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon* mentioned this condition over two thousand years ago, and later schools of thought also discussed it. For instance, Wang Andao of the Yuan Dynasty stated: “All diseases originate from stagnation—the meaning of being blocked and unsmooth.” Similarly, Zhu Danxi in *Danxi’s Heart Methods* proposed: “When qi and blood are harmonious, all diseases will not arise. Once stagnation occurs, numerous illnesses emerge. Thus, most diseases in the human body stem from stagnation.” Numerous classical texts record diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, accumulating rich clinical experience.
TCM treats depression using the traditional method of syndrome differentiation and treatment. For patients presenting with mental confusion, dizziness, palpitations, forgetfulness, easy waking during sleep, pale tongue with thin coating, and fine pulse, Gui Pi Tang (Spleen-Nourishing Decoction) is used to tonify heart and spleen qi. For those with fatigue, eye discomfort, bitter mouth, rib distension, back pain, irritability, constipation, red tongue with thin coating, and wiry pulse, Chai Hu Shu Gan Yin (Bupleurum Liver-Soothing Decoction) or Xiao Yao Wan (Free and Easy Wanderer Pills) are modified accordingly. Some patients, besides irritability and insomnia, present with a sensation of a lump in the throat and seek medical help—this may be treated with Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang (Pinellia and Magnolia Decoction). Others who prefer solitude, fear social interaction, cannot sleep at night, and frequently feel sad and want to cry may benefit from Bai He Di Huang Tang (Lily and Rehmannia Decoction) with modifications. Clinically, many patients present with chest tightness and shortness of breath, frequently visiting emergency departments. Despite normal ECG and other tests, they report generalized weakness, dizziness, heaviness, occasional palpitations, restless sleep, dark or purple tongue, white greasy coating, and wiry slippery pulse. These patients may be treated with Ti Tan Tang (Phlegm-Dissolving Decoction) combined with Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang (Blood Mansion Stasis-Removing Decoction), adjusted as needed.
TCM theory holds that yin-yang balance is the foundation of physical and mental health; imbalance leads to disease. From a TCM perspective, depression arises from yin-yang disharmony and disconnection between body and spirit. Treatments aiming to regulate yin and yang, such as Gui Zhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction), can yield good results. In Western medicine, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Fluoxetine (Prozac) are commonly used, offering reliable and relatively safe efficacy. Combined use of TCM and Western drugs can enhance therapeutic effectiveness and patient compliance.
Although TCM and Western medicine differ in treatment models, they can complement each other. When using Western antidepressants, gastrointestinal discomfort is a common side effect. Concurrent use of aromatic and digestive TCM herbs such as Agastache (Huo Xiang), Eupatorium (Pei Lan), Aquilaria (Guang Mu Xiang), Amomum (Sha Ren), Citrus Peel (Chen Pi), Poria (Fu Ling), and Barley Sprout (Mai Ya) can alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort. Additionally, since Western antidepressants typically take one week or longer to take effect, patients may lose patience and discontinue medication. At this stage, administering TCM herbs that resolve phlegm and relieve depression—such as Calamus (Chang Pu), Curcuma (Yu Jin), Lily (Bai He), Mimosa Flower (He Huan Hua), Schisandra (Wu Wei Zi), Rhubarb (Chen Dan Xing), and Green-veined Plum Blossom (Lv E Ming Mei)—can improve symptoms, build patient confidence, and enhance adherence.
Moreover, sleep disturbances are a major source of suffering for depression patients, who often wake up at night unable to fall back asleep, feeling anxious and restless during the day. At such times, formulas that calm the mind and relieve restlessness—such as Polygala (Yuan Zhi), Oyster Shell (Long Chi), Magnetite (Ci Shi), Green-veined Plum Blossom (Lv E Ming Mei), Fried Jujube Seed (Zhuo Zao Ren), Dragon Bone (Long Gu), and Oyster Shell (Mu Li)—can be used. Alternatively, proprietary TCM preparations like An Shen Bu Xin Capsules or Qi Ye Shen An Tablets may also prove effective.
In summary, rational use of both Chinese and Western medicines will enable more depression patients to overcome their depressive shadows sooner.