Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 18th – 24th May annually and this year’s theme is kindness. With many people now entering their eighth week of lockdown, mental health awareness is more important now than ever. Growing stresses over isolation, job insecurity, bereavement and financial strain can all result in mental health problems.
Mental health disorders are medical conditions that can disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning which can result in a diminishing capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life.
The Coronavirus crisis has also resulted in a lot of people suffering from insomnia or sleep disturbances – which also has a detrimental effect on mental health. Feeling unrested and experiencing mood swings can compromise your immune system, leaving you vulnerable during this turbulent time.
Chinese Medicine for Mental Health
From a Chinese Medicine perspective, mental health disorders can cause a disruption in the flow of Qi. This imbalance can throw off the immune system or cause pain, sleep disturbances and headaches – to name a few. TCM does not recognize any mental disorder as one particular syndrome. Instead, it aims to treat the specific symptoms that are unique to each individual to restore imbalances found in the body.
Herbal medicine can be effective at improving mental health. We have recommended commonly used formulas that may benefit your patients. All formulas can be adapted and modified depending on the patient’s needs.
Chinese Medicine Formulas for Mental Health
1. Yang Xin Tan: Nourishes the Heart and calms the Shen to treat palpitation with anxiety and insomnia.
- Dang Gui
- Sheng Di Huang
- Shu Di Huang
- Fu Shen
- Ren Shen
- Mai Men Dong
- Suan Zao Ren
- Bai Zi Ren
- Zhi Gan Cao
- Wu Wei Zi
- Deng Xin Cao
- Lian Zi
2. Ban Xia Hou Po Tang: Activates Qi and relieves stagnation to help treat depression, insomnia, palpitations, and melancholy.
3. Gan Mai Da Zao Tang: Nourishes the Heart, calms the Shen and harmonises the Middle Jiao to treat extreme sadness, sensitivity, insomnia and depression.
4. Suan Zao Ren Tang: Nourishes the Heart, calms the Shen and eliminates irritability.
5. Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan: Enriches the Yin, calms the Shen and clears Heat to treat anxiety, irritability and insomnia.
- Sheng Di Huang
- Ren Shen
- Tian Men Dong
- Mai Men Dong
- Xuan Shen
- Dan Shen
- Fu Ling
- Yuan Zhi
- Dang Gui
- Wu Wei Zi
- Bai Zi Ren
- Suan Zao Ren
- Jie Geng
- Zhu Sha
Chinese Herbal Dispensary
At Phoenix, we operate an ATCM and RCHM approved Chinese herbal dispensary. We dispense both raw dried herbs and concentrated granules, in a variety of prescription formats. The dispensary remains open as a critical service providing herbal prescriptions to patients. Qualified herbalists may order customised herbal prescriptions by visiting our website www.chineseherbaldispensary.co.uk or by emailing dispensary@phoenixmd.co.uk
Disclaimer: Please note that this information is intended for qualified herbalists only. If you are a patient, please consult your practitioner for a diagnosis as these formulas may not be suitable for you. If you would like us to recommend a herbalist who uses Phoenix Medical products, contact us at info@phoenixmd.co.uk and we will gladly assist you.
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