Depression — TCM Food Therapy & Dietary Approach

A traditional Chinese medicine perspective on Depression, combining dietary therapy with syndrome differentiation.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Patterns

In TCM, this condition is differentiated into several patterns, each with a classical herbal formula:

Liver Qi Depression

Treatment principle: Soothe the Liver and Resolve Depression, Regulate Qi and Harmonize the Middle

Formula: Chaihu Shugan San (Bupleurum Liver-Coursing Powder) — from *Jingyue's Complete Works*

Qi Depression Transforming into Fire

Treatment principle: Soothe the Liver and Resolve Depression, Clear the Liver and Purge Fire

Formula: Xiaoyao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder)

Phlegm and Qi Binding

Treatment principle: Move Qi and Resolve Depression, Resolve Phlegm and Dissipate Masses

Formula: Banxia Houpo Tang (Pinellia and Magnolia Bark Decoction)

Malnourishment of the Heart Spirit

Treatment principle: Sweet-Moistening to Relieve Spasm, Nourish the Heart and Quiet the Spirit

Formula: Ganmai Dazao Tang (Licorice, Wheat and Jujube Decoction)

Deficiency of Both Heart and Spleen

Treatment principle: Fortify the Spleen and Nourish the Heart, Boost Qi and Nourish Blood

Formula: Guipi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction) — from *Formulas to Aid the Living*

Heart-Kidney Yin Deficiency

Treatment principle: Nourish the Heart and Kidney

Formula: Tianwang Buxin Dan (Celestial Emperor's Heart-Tonifying Pill) — from *A Complete Book of Effective Prescriptions for Women*; Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) — from *Key to Therapeutics of Children's Diseases*

These formulas are for reference under TCM syndrome differentiation and should only be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.

Food Therapy & Diet

Dietary Therapy Recipes

Heart-Nourishing and Calming Congee: Cook 20g each of lotus seeds, longan flesh and lily bulbs with 150g rice into congee; take once every night. Nourishes the heart and calms the mind.
Licorice, Wheat and Jujube Decoction: Decoct 10g licorice, 30g light wheat and 6 pitted jujubes in water, strain and drink the soup. Nourishes the heart and calms the mind.
Lily Bulb Sweet Soup: Cook 100g lily bulbs in water over low heat until very tender, add an appropriate amount of sugar, take in two divided doses. Clears the heart and calms the mind.
Day Lily Worry-Relieving Soup: Make soup with 15g silktree bark, 12g poria, 10g turmeric root tuber, 30g light wheat, 15g lily bulbs, 30g day lily buds, 6 jujubes and 150g lean pork, eat the meat; relieves depression and calms the mind.
Polygala, Jujube Seed and Wolfberry Congee: Cook 15g each of polygala root (yuanzhi), stir-fried sour jujube seeds and wolfberry fruit with 150g rice into congee; take 1 hour before sleep. Relieves depression and calms the mind.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.