Anti-Dep

To be used as a supplement to a balanced diet during bouts of depression, unhappiness or pre-menstrual tension.

From the Western scientific perspective chronic stress and anxiety can lead to depression. Hormonal imbalance preceding the female menstrual cycle can lead to unstable emotions and tensions referred to as premenstrual tension. Currently the Western practitioner often turns to St. John's wort or one of the many mood enhancers such as Prozac. The latter medication is shown to prevent seratonin re-uptake from brain synapses. Seratonin is a neurotransmitter which has been implicated in mood enhancement. It is secreted from the brain mainly at night and is detected at high levels during the morning hours and low levels during evening hours. Moderate, joyful exercise has been shown to cause an outflow of seratonin as well as other brain neurotransmitters such as endorphins.

Traditional Chinese Medicine states that extreme emotions such as sadness or anger can damage the Liver Qi, Spleen Qi and Heart Yin. Also these organs will affect each other in positive ways if healthy and negative ways if imbalanced or weak. Clinical research shows that Liver Qi invades the Spleen, brings about excessive fire of the Heart and Liver, and all of this can weaken the Heart and Spleen.

The goal of this formula is not so much calming as invigorating and uplifting without sleepiness, much the way dancing, sports or various types of moderate and fun exercise can be invigorating. While this formula relieves tension, it does not cause drowsiness. It is more powerful at enhancing mood than extracts of St. John's wort. This formula broadly applies to the physical pathologies surrounding depressed mood and can be used over a long period of time to slowly enhance mood and productivity.

TCM Indications: Epigastric distension caused by stagnation of Liver Qi; headache, dizziness, palpitation, insomnia, dreaminess, dysphoria, flushed face, and feelings of anger or sadness.

Tongue: Red tongue.

Pulse: Bowstring or small, fast pulse.