Common qi-regulating medicines include dried tangerine peel, Buddha’s hand, perilla, clove, agarwood, bitter orange, and immature bitter orange. These medicines are mostly pungent and aromatic, and they have the effect of soothing the liver and relieving depression, particularly effective for liver qi stagnation. They can help regulate emotions and open the chest, effectively improving the neuropsychiatric symptoms of patients.
·Dried Tangerine Peel
Dried tangerine peel is first recorded in the “Shennong’s Herbal Classic.” It is made from the dried mature peel of the fruit of the Citrus reticulata and its cultivated varieties. It has a bitter taste and is associated with the spleen and stomach meridians. It is used to regulate qi, strengthen the spleen, dry dampness, and resolve phlegm. The primary components of dried tangerine peel include flavonoids, alkaloids, triterpenes, and volatile oils. The essential oil of dried tangerine peel, when inhaled, can improve the depressive behavior induced by reserpine and increase the number of normal neurons in the hippocampal region of mice. Its mechanism is related to the upregulation of the expression levels of 5-HT-1A receptors, glucocorticoid receptors, and BDNF in brain tissue. Meanwhile, component analysis of the essential oil of dried tangerine peel by GC-MS shows that D-limonene is its main component, indicating that the antidepressant effect of the essential oil may be associated with D-limonene.
From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the harmonious balance of qi and blood within the body is key to maintaining mental and physical health. When the qi and blood are out of balance, and phlegm and stagnation accumulate, the functions of various organs may become abnormal. They interact with each other, forming a vicious cycle that gradually weakens the body’s strength and may ultimately lead to the occurrence of depression.
TCM’s qi-regulating medicines provide us with an effective way to treat depression. Most of these medicines have benefits such as regulating qi and strengthening the spleen, soothing the liver and relieving depression, and opening the chest to promote qi flow. They can not only effectively improve the symptoms of depression but also slow down the progression of the disease and enhance the quality of life for patients. It is believed that in the future, TCM’s qi-regulating medicines will play an increasingly important role in the treatment of depression, bringing hope and recovery to more patients.
References:
[1] Liu Riqun, Li Ziqi, Xiao Shuhua, et al. Progress in Research on the Antidepressant Effects and Mechanisms of Qi-Regulating Medicines. Chinese Herbal Medicine, 2024, DOI:10.7501/j.issn.0253-2670.2024.10.033.
