Mental Wellbeing with Chinese Medicine

When it comes to looking after our mental wellbeing, Australians are increasing their use of herbal and natural medicines...

72.9% of Australians who sought help for a mental health issue, used some form of natural medication in 2001 (National Health Survey, 2001). 

According to the National Health Survey (2004-5), the three leading conditions Australians sought help for with a Complementary Medicine Practitioner* were Arthritis, Asthama and mental or behavoural disorders.

As mental illness becomes more prominent in Australia, it is increasingly important to be aware of what natural and herbal medicines are available, and how we can use them.

Many patients want to stop using or avoid using western drugs or are looking to treat some symptoms that drugs are not tackling in their situation. It's important to consult with health professionals including your western doctor if you are going to change any Western medicine (drugs). 


Chinese herbs have been used routinely in China for centuries to treat a variety of mental illnesses.  For conditions ranging from anxiety and insomnia to psychosis and mania, they can be used by themselves or in conjunction with western drugs. 

One reason why Aussies are turning to herbal medicine is because they are dissatisfied with the treatment options Western medicine presents them.  In some cases patients find the side effects of drugs are worse than the disease itself.  Because a Chinese herbal prescription is matched according to the patients constitution and disease symptoms, there are rarely any side effects.
However, the answer is not necessarily in one or the other. In China, there is widespread integration of the two medical systems, therefore many patients are treated with a combination of western and Chinese medicine. In Australia, patients have increasing health options and, while drugs are not the only solution, they are not necessarily bad either. 

To understand Chinese medicines' role in mental health, we must first understand a little Chinese medical theory.  The system of Chinese medicine is a unique and very different system to what we commonly associate with medicine (pertaining to Western medicine).  Chinese medicine looks more at the body as a whole rather than one diseased or malfunctioning part. 

If one organ or area of the body is inadequately performing, this will ultimately impact the entire body.  This is one fundamental difference between Chinese and Western medicine. 

Chinese medicine considers the cause of disease as internal or external.  Internal causes include prolonged poor dietary habits (overeating, eating too much of cold or hot foods, eating during mental activities such as watching TV,  business lunches, eating while arguing etc) and excess emotions (worry, over thinking, hate or anger, sadness/grief, joy).  Emotions are linked with a specific major organ.  An excess of an emotion can damage that organ, leading to symptoms showing that organs functions have been impaired.
A famous saying in Chinese medicine is "Worry knots Spleen Qi". (Qi is a Chinese word,  pronounced Chee.  It roughly translates into “energy”, although the western concept of energy does not include all the functions of the Chinese word, Qi) 
Worry, over thinking or pensiveness, is the emotion liked with the Spleen.  The Spleens main job in Chinese medicine is to digest food (transports and transforms food and fluids). An example of worry knotting Spleen Qi is when a person has a problem weighing heavily on their mind, they can't stop circling over and over it.  This leads to decreased appetite (a symptom that the Spleen's function of digestion has been impaired).    

External causes of disease are the six pathogenic factors: wind, damp, fire, cold, dryness and sumerheat.  Fire may invade, initially causing a sore throat and other common cold symptoms. Fire can also arise internally, from stress (causing stagnation initially then transforming into heat), from diet and emotions. In a mental illness such as depression, fire can rise upwards, harassing the Heart-Spirit (know as the "Shen" in Chinese).  Fire causes symptoms of insomnia with excessive dreams, red face and eyes, feeling hot, headache, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), easily angry/ bad temper, irritability.   

Chinese herbs are used to move stagnant energy, clear fire or other pathogens, nourish (or boost up) deficient Blood, Energy, yin or yang, according to the diagnosis.      

Common Patterns 

In Western countries like USA, Australia and the UK,  "Liver Qi stagnation” is one of the most common patterns.  The Liver has the chief function to ensure smooth flow of Qi.  Without this smooth flow, there will be stagnant Qi. More about how to help this below...

If you are in a predominantly sitting position all day, (work at a desk) with increased mental activity, there is more opportunity for Liver Qi to become stagnant.  Depression, Anxiety, decreased mental clarity can all arise from Liver Qi stagnation.  Serious mental illness such as Bipolar Affective Disorder (Manic depressive) and Schizophrenia can be seen as complications of this same pattern. 

It is important to keep Liver Qi flowing smoothly. Apart from Acupuncture, massage and Chinese herbs, there are things you can do yourself to promote smooth flow of Liver Qi.  Gentle, regular exercise is the best thing to move Liver Qi.   Singing is another fun way to move Liver Qi.  (Loud belly singing is very therapeutic). Next time you feel depressed or sad, try singing!

See More about Liver Energy Stagnation Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i308M4Ff7eg

Diet Advice

Beneficial foods for the Liver Qi; Pungent flavors & small amounts of mild spices, onions, garlic, mustard greens, watercress, turmeric, basil, mint, peppermint, horseradish, pepper, cardamon, cumin, fenel and  ginger.
Sour Flavors such as citrus', vinegar, pickles, sour cherry and plum in small amounts.
Fresh vegetables, some fruits, sprouted grains, asparagus, taro, cabbage, turnip, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, beetroot, Jerusalem Artichoke, sourdough rye bread, extra virgin olive oil, molasses, small quantities of high quality meat, protein and fish.





*Complementary Medicine Practitioner includes 7 practitioners -  Chiropractor, Acupuncturist, Naturopath, Osteopath, Herbalist, Traditional Healer and Hypnotherapist