Chinese Herbs for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder OCD

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Chinese Herbs for OCD

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Chinese Medicine

By: Catherine Browne, L.Ac., MH, Dipl.Ac.

The Book of Plain Questions explains, "The five yin-organs of the human body produce five kinds of essential qi, which bring forth joy, anger, grief, worry, and fear."

The beauty of Chinese medicine is that one disease can be delineated in to many patterns; this allows Chinese medical practitioners such as Chinese acupuncturists and herbalists to design a treatment for a specific patient rather than using one treatment to address all patients. This makes Chinese medical treatments more specific and effective.

Many Westerners are not aware that Chinese medicine can be effective at treating mental and emotional disorders. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is treated with Chinese herbs according to the way it presents. It is important to know that more than one organ system imbalance is typically involved with OCD. Here are some of the possible patterns of imbalance that you may see with OCD according to Chinese medicine:

Spleen Imbalance

This type of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder would be marked with repeated unwanted thoughts. The emotion attached to the Spleen energetic system is worry. It is important with this type of OCD to not only nourish the Spleen energy with tonic herbs, but to also begin a practice of meditation to control the thoughts. For some suffering with OCD, mulling over thoughts becomes a distorted path to pleasure (or lack of pain) through self absorption.

Another Spleen imbalance sign would be OCD with eating disorders common to OCD. The Spleen belongs to the Earth Element and is all about feeling nourished and well cared for by Mother Earth, and nourished by your mother. In situations of neglect or early abandonment, Earth Element emotional imbalances are common.

Kidney Imbalance

When fear leads to compulsions or rituals, it is typically due to a Deficiency in the Kidney Organ System in Chinese medicine as the emotion related to Kidney energy is fear. Fear of dirt or contamination by germs leading to excessive hand washing is a typical portrayal of OCD, but other fears such as harming others or thinking sinful thoughts can also be prevalent. Compulsions are a direct result of the fear and represent a way to deal with the fear through distraction. Anxiety and panic disorder associated with OCD would indicate Kidney Deficiency also.

Kidney - Lung Imbalance

The Lung Energy system is related to self esteem in Chinese medicine, and the fear of being embarrassed, making a mistake, or acting in a socially unacceptable way would relate to this type of OCD manifestation.

Lung Imbalance

Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) does not involve the rituals and compulsions but rather involves an unhealthy preoccupation with traits that relate directly to a Metal Element (Lung) imbalance in Chinese medicine. A person with a Metal imbalance would have a preoccupation with rules, schedules, and lists; would be critical and demand perfectionism; would be excessively devoted to work; and would seem emotionally rigid and inflexible. While OCPD is not technically OCD, it is well differentiated through Chinese medicine.

Other Metal Element imbalances common in OCD indications according to Chinese medicine would include fear of death and the inability to 'let go'.

Heart Imbalance

Technically, all emotions originate in the Heart energetic system, so any emotional disorder is going to have an indication of an imbalance of the Fire Element. In Chinese medicine the Blood helps to 'anchor' emotions and Blood Deficiency, especially Heart Blood Deficiency, can be prevalent.

The Heart organ system is paired with the Small Intestine energetic system in Chinese medicine. Emotionally, the Small Intestine helps to sort through information and emotions and decide what is precious and should be kept, and what should be let go of (as it does with food). When this ability is impaired, someone may have a tendency to begin hoarding items, which is yet another common indication with OCD.

Heart - Spleen Imbalance

For many with OCD, obsessive thought and worry disrupt their sleep and often prevent them from falling asleep. In Chinese medicine, the heart houses the mind at night and insomnia indicates and imbalance in the Fire Element.

Liver Imbalances

OCD is often complicated with episodes of depression. Liver Qi Stagnation is one of the more common root disturbances that leads to depression. A person with a Liver or Wood Element imbalance would have a fear of making the wrong decision possibly. Emotions relating to Liver imbalances include anger, frustration, and a feeling of being stuck in a particular circumstance or situation.

As you can see, OCD is a very complicated condition in Chinese medicine, and requires a close evaluation in order to be addressed with Chinese herbs and Chinese medicine. It is recommended that an online evaluation is fully filled out so that you can have professional guidance in choosing the correct herb formulas.

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