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Ageless Herbs Acupressure and Herbs
Natural Depression Relief
By: Catherine Browne, L.Ac., MH, Dipl.Ac
In Chinese medicine, depression can be an expression of an imbalance that can be related to a number of different patterns. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) holds theories that interconnect the body and the mind, and a diagnosis cannot be accurate for any bodily disease without taking in to consideration the emotional
state of a patient/subject. Likewise, emotional disorders
such as depression will often relate to physical imbalances or diseases when being diagnosed; Chinese medicine is effective at bringing the body/mind/soul back in to balance, thus is effective at treating depression with naturally safe modalities that address the root problems rather than suppressing emotions. Some of the more common TCM patterns seen in depression:
Depression Related to Liver Qi Stagnation
Depression related to Liver Qi Stagnation is the most common type of depression in Western culture. The Liver is of the Wood Element and helps to keep us flexible, like the bow of a tree, and able to weather the winds of life’s changes and challenges. The negative emotions that are associated with the Wood Element are anger, frustration, and 'feeling stuck'; the positive attributes are the ability to have a a plan or vision for our life, and the motivation to actualize the vision.
Depression due to Liver Qi Stagnation is likely to present with an immobile feeling of frustration due to the inability to navigate the inevitable stresses of life with a purposeful drive. This type of depression is often seen as anger turned inward, and with self dissatisfaction due to the inability to deal with life’s disappointments. Our Free & Easy Wanderer Herbal Formula soothes the Liver and restores balance to the Wood Element when used for a number of months.
Release Acupressure Point LV 3 (Taichong or Great Surge) to Resolve Liver Qi Stagnation:
Liver 3 is located on the
dorsum of the foot, in
the depression just distal
to the junction of the first
and second metatarsal bones.
Depression Related to Metal Element Imbalances
Depression relating to a Metal Element Imbalance is typically associated with sadness, grief, and loss. With the loss of a loved one, there is a therapeutic process of grieving; however, there are also feelings of loss and grief with a business failure or divorce. Sadness and grief are normal during these times, and only becomes a clinical imbalance in TCM when the patient is unable to pass through the seven stages of grief, and becomes emotionally stuck for a long period of time. Some people turn to anti-depressants in the throws of grief. Unfortunately, this can prevent working through the grief process, and can result in a chronic grief-based depression.
The ability to maintain self esteem and positive personal boundaries
is also an attribute of the Metal Element. Most of us have a deep
concern over the state of the environment, the threat of terrorism, and ongoing conflicts throughout the world; however, when this deep concern turns to depression over world events, it would signify an inability to draw personal boundaries and a clear sense of where the self ends and the world begins. This type of depression is best treated with flower essence remedies and Five Element-Style Acupuncture.
Tonify Acupressure Point LU 9 (Taiyuan or Great Abyss) to Reinforce the Lung Energy:
Lung 9 is located at the
radial end of the transverse
crease of the wrist on the
lateral side of the radial artery.
Depression Related to Kidney Deficiency
This is the most distressing types of depression and is often referred to the ‘dark night of the soul’. Typically, severe bouts of deep depression would be experienced with Kidney-type depression, without any obvious cause for the emotional plunge. The Kidney energy is closely associated with Essence (Jing- DNA), and familial emotional disorders are likely. Those suffering from Kidney Deficieny induced depression are more likely to commit suicide than the other types of depression. This severe of a condition should be addressed with a health care professional, and a licensed Acupuncturist would be able to formulate an effective treatment plan. A less severe case of Kidney Deficient type depression would involve depression with anxiety.
Tonify Acupressure point KI 3 (Taixi or Great Stream) to strengthen the Kidney energy:
Kidney 3 is located in the depression
between the medial malleolus and the
tendo calcaneus, level with the tip of
the medial malleolus.
Depression Related to Spleen Qi Deficiency
Less common than other depression patterns in Chinese medicine, depression associated with Spleen Qi Deficiency would likely manifest as extreme worry, with a propensity for patients to overeat or completely loose their appetite when feeling down. An innate feeling of disconnect of natural grounding to the Earth, and life on this plain could also be patterns associated with depression with Spleen Qi Deficiency. A Chinese Spleen Qi Tonic such as our Restore the Middle Way Formula would be helpful in this type of depression.
Tonify Acupressure Point Sp 6 (Sanyinjiao or Three Yin Meetings) to strengthen the Spleen and Kidney Energy:
Spleen 6 is located 3 cun above
the tip of the medial malleolus
on the posterior border of the
medial aspect of the tibia.
For information on conventional treatments for depression, visit the Mayo Clinic, the National Institute of Mental Health, or the Medline. This is not an endorsement of these organization, just a resource guide.
Natural Depression
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The statements made have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. Herbal formulas, natural remedies, and aromatherapy products related to alternative health products on this site have not been evaluated by the U.S. FDA. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The statements on this website are based principally on traditional knowledge accumulated over thousands of years of Chinese medical practices. The content provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your health care professional. You should not use the information on this site to diagnose or treat any health issues. As always, you should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, beginning an exercise program, using herbs or other supplementation programs, before taking any pharmaceutical medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. Unless specifically mentioned in the product label, our herbal supplements, natural remedies, and alternative health products are not intended for children under the age of 18, pregnant women, or nursing mothers. Ingredients and dosage recommendations may change - see product label for current information. Please refer to our policy/FAQ’s page before making a purchase.
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