Anxiety disorder is a common psychological disorder, with main symptoms including excessive worries, tension, palpitations, fear, and more. These symptoms not only have a serious impact on the physical and mental health of patients but also cause various troubles in their daily lives and work. Modern medicine mainly uses medication and psychological therapy in treating anxiety disorders, but these methods often have certain side effects and limitations. Traditional Chinese medicine, as a traditional medical practice in our country with a long history and rich experience, may provide a safe and effective treatment approach for dealing with anxiety, palpitations, and fear.
Traditional Chinese Medicine’s Understanding of Anxiety, Palpitations, and Fear
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that anxiety, palpitations, and fear are mainly caused by emotional imbalance and disorder of organ functions, mainly related to the heart, liver, spleen, and kidneys.
The heart governs the spirit; unsettled heart spirit easily leads to palpitations and fear. Prolonged anxiety and tension can deplete the heart’s energy, leading to heart palpitations, insomnia, and other symptoms.
The liver governs smooth flow and the regulation of emotions. If liver qi stagnation occurs, emotional regulation is affected, exacerbating anxiety symptoms. Moreover, liver qi stagnation leading to liver fire flaring up can disturb the spirit, causing palpitations and fear.
The spleen governs transformation and is the source of blood production. Excessive worrying can damage spleen qi, leading to insufficient blood and energy, resulting in the lack of nourishment for the spirit. Additionally, spleen deficiency can generate dampness, obstructing the flow of qi, which can also affect the tranquility of the spirit.
The kidneys store essence and nourish the brain. Deficiency of kidney essence and insufficient nourishment of the brain marrow can result in symptoms such as dizziness, tinnitus, and memory loss, and can also affect the stability of the spirit.
Methods of Calming the Mind and Settling the Spirit in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Anshen Dingzhi Pill: Composed of acorus, yuanzhi, fu shen, longchi, etc., with the effects of calming the spirit, benefiting qi, and calming the heart, suitable for anxiety with deficiency of heart and gallbladder qi.
Suanzaoren Decoction: Composed of sour jujube seed, zhimu, fuling, chuanxiong, etc., with the functions of nourishing blood, calming the spirit, and clearing heat and vexation, suitable for anxiety due to deficiency of liver blood and internal heat disturbance.
Guipi Decoction: Composed of dang shen, baizhu, huangqi, danggui, etc., with the effects of tonifying the spleen, nourishing the heart, benefiting qi, and supplementing blood, suitable for anxiety with deficiency of both heart and spleen.
Traditional Chinese medicine has unique advantages in dealing with anxiety, palpitations, and fear. Through comprehensive treatment methods involving Chinese herbal medicine, organ function can be regulated, yin and yang balanced, and qi and blood harmonized to achieve the goal of stabilizing the mind and settling the spirit. However, traditional Chinese medicine treatment for anxiety disorders also has certain limitations, such as long treatment periods and significant individual differences. Therefore, in clinical practice, it is important to combine modern medical diagnosis and treatment methods, consider patients’ specific conditions, and develop personalized treatment plans. Patients should actively cooperate with treatment, adjust their mindset, maintain good lifestyle habits to enhance treatment effectiveness. In the future, with continuous in-depth research on traditional Chinese medicine theory and clinical practice, it is believed that traditional Chinese medicine will play a greater role in treating anxiety disorders and other mental health issues.
