Symptom family: Depression and Sadness

What is Melancholia?

Melancholia, a term with ancient roots, describes a profound state of persistent sadness, often accompanied by a lack of interest in activities that once brought joy. This condition, characterized by deeper and more severe feelings than typical sadness or depression, can significantly impact an individual's daily life and overall well-being.

Historically, melancholia was considered to encompass a wide range of psychological disturbances, including what modern psychiatry might classify under depressive disorders.

How does TCM View Melancholia?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), melancholia is seen as a manifestation of disharmony in the body's Qi, or vital energy. The concept of a 'pattern' is crucial as it encapsulates the unique constellation of symptoms and imbalances within a person. Identifying this pattern is critical for TCM practitioners because it determines the personalized treatment approach, ensuring that the root cause of melancholia is addressed for effective and holistic healing.

Root Causes of Melancholia in TCM

TCM attributes melancholia to several potential internal disharmonies. Liver Qi Stagnation is commonly implicated, where emotional repression or life stress leads to the stagnation of Qi, manifesting as melancholia alongside physical symptoms like hypochondriac pain. Another pattern, Heart Blood Deficiency with Liver Qi Stagnation, highlights the interplay between the emotional and physical, where insufficient Blood fails to nourish the Heart, affecting mental states.

Additionally, Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire suggests an escalation of constrained emotions into more intense feelings of irritability and unrest. These patterns underscore TCM's holistic view, where emotional health is deeply intertwined with physical states.

Explore below more details about what might cause Melancholia according to TCM.

  • By Syndrome
  • By Organ
  • Qi Stagnation
  • Blood Deficiency
  • Heat
  • Liver
  • Heart
Detailed description of the cause

Qi Stagnation

Qi Stagnation in TCM is like having a traffic jam in your body's energy system. Qi, the vital life force that flows through your body, is supposed to move smoothly to maintain health and balance. But with Qi Stagnation, this flow gets blocked or slowed down, like cars stuck on a highway. This can lead to symptoms like feeling stressed, emotional mood swings, and physical discomfort, often described as a feeling of fullness or tightness, especially in the chest or abdomen. It's as though the body's internal energy circulation is disrupted, causing various issues. TCM sees this as an energy flow problem, different from modern medicine's focus on specific physiological processes.... see more

Qi Stagnation Patterns That Can Lead to Melancholia

Common Symptoms: Insomnia Hypochondriac Distention Upper Abdominal Distension Depression Mood Swings Irregular Periods Globus Sensation Pre Menstrual Breast Distension

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Heart Blood Deficiency with Liver Qi Stagnation Melancholy, Confusion, Melancholia, Crying, Abnormal behavior, Insomnia, Yawning Gan Mai Da Zao Tang
Liver Qi Stagnation Melancholy, Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia, Depression, Mood swings, Irregular periods, Globus sensation, Pre menstrual breast distension, Pre menstrual tension, Anxiety, Anger... see more Xiao Yao San | Jia Wei Xiao Yao San | Yue Ju Wan | Chai Hu Shu Gan San | Yi Guan Jian
Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire Melancholy, Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Irritability, Melancholia, Depression, Mood swings, Globus sensation, Feeling of heat, Flushed face, Thirst, Anger, Pre menstrual tension, Irregular periods, Pre menstrual breast distension, Excessive menstruation... see more Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San
Detailed description of the cause

Blood Deficiency

Blood Deficiency in TCM is like when your body's tank runs low on the vital energy that blood provides. It's not exactly the same as anemia in modern medicine, which is about having too few red blood cells. Instead, Blood Deficiency in TCM is about your body not having enough of the life-giving qualities that blood brings, like nourishment and moisture. This can make you feel tired, look pale, and even feel dizzy or have blurry vision. It's like a garden not getting enough water to stay lush and vibrant. TCM sees this as an imbalance where the body isn't being nourished as it should be, impacting overall health and well-being.... see more

Blood Deficiency Patterns That Can Lead to Melancholia

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Heart Blood Deficiency with Liver Qi Stagnation Melancholy, Confusion, Melancholia, Crying, Abnormal behavior, Insomnia, Yawning Gan Mai Da Zao Tang
Detailed description of the cause

Heat

In TCM "Heat" signifies an excess of Yang energy, leading to an imbalance where heat predominates over the body's cool Yin aspects. This condition is metaphorically akin to an internal over-heating. Symptoms indicative of Heat can include feelings of warmth, fever, sweating, irritability, red face, thirst with a preference for cold drinks, and a rapid pulse. The tongue may appear red with a yellow coating. Unlike the common interpretation of heat in terms of temperature, in TCM, it represents a state of hyperactivity or inflammation in the body.... see more

Heat Patterns That Can Lead to Melancholia

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire Melancholy, Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Irritability, Melancholia, Depression, Mood swings, Globus sensation, Feeling of heat, Flushed face, Thirst, Anger, Pre menstrual tension, Irregular periods, Pre menstrual breast distension, Excessive menstruation... see more Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San
Detailed description of the cause

Liver

In TCM the Liver is viewed as the organ responsible for the smooth flow of Qi, Blood, and emotions throughout the body. It plays a key role in regulating mood, storing blood, supporting digestion, and ensuring the health of tendons and eyes. When the Liver malfunctions or is imbalanced in TCM, it can lead to a range of issues such as irritability, mood swings, menstrual irregularities, eye problems, and muscular stiffness or pain. A malfunctioning Liver in TCM reflects not only physical disturbances but also emotional and mental disharmony, emphasizing the holistic approach of TCM in addressing health and wellness.... see more

Liver Patterns That Can Lead to Melancholia

Common Symptoms: Insomnia Hypochondriac Distention Upper Abdominal Distension Depression Mood Swings Irregular Periods Globus Sensation Pre Menstrual Breast Distension

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Heart Blood Deficiency with Liver Qi Stagnation Melancholy, Confusion, Melancholia, Crying, Abnormal behavior, Insomnia, Yawning Gan Mai Da Zao Tang
Liver Qi Stagnation Melancholy, Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia, Depression, Mood swings, Irregular periods, Globus sensation, Pre menstrual breast distension, Pre menstrual tension, Anxiety, Anger... see more Xiao Yao San | Jia Wei Xiao Yao San | Yue Ju Wan | Chai Hu Shu Gan San | Yi Guan Jian
Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire Melancholy, Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Irritability, Melancholia, Depression, Mood swings, Globus sensation, Feeling of heat, Flushed face, Thirst, Anger, Pre menstrual tension, Irregular periods, Pre menstrual breast distension, Excessive menstruation... see more Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San
Detailed description of the cause

Heart

In TCM the Heart is considered the "emperor" of all organs, primarily responsible for governing Blood and housing the mind, known as "Shen." It plays a crucial role in maintaining mental-emotional equilibrium and controlling the circulation of Qi and blood throughout the body. When the Heart is imbalanced or malfunctions in TCM, it can lead to a range of issues like heart palpitations, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, anxiety, and a flushed complexion. Emotional disturbances such as excessive joy or lack of joy are also seen as signs of Heart disharmony. These symptoms reflect not just physical heart conditions but also the state of one's Shen, indicating the interconnectedness of physical and emotional well-being in TCM.... see more

Heart Patterns That Can Lead to Melancholia

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Heart Blood Deficiency with Liver Qi Stagnation Melancholy, Confusion, Melancholia, Crying, Abnormal behavior, Insomnia, Yawning Gan Mai Da Zao Tang

TCM Herbal Formulas for Melancholia

To address the underlying causes of melancholia, TCM employs specific herbal formulas. For Liver Qi Stagnation, Xiao Yao San is favored to soothe the Liver and regulate Qi. When melancholia stems from Heart Blood Deficiency, Gan Mai Da Zao Tang is recommended to nourish the Heart and calm the Mind.

In cases where Liver Qi Stagnation has escalated to Heat, Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San helps clear Heat and alleviate emotional distress. These formulas exemplify TCM's nuanced approach, targeting the root causes of melancholia with a blend of herbs tailored to the individual's specific pattern of imbalance.

Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address melancholia, organized by cause and by formula type.

  • By Cause
  • By Formula Type
  • Qi Stagnation
  • Blood Deficiency
  • Heat
  • Formulas that harmonize liver-Spleen
  • Formulas that promote qi movement
  • Formulas that nourish the heart and calm the mind
  • Formulas that nourish yin and tonify
  • Formulas that clear liver-Heat

All Formulas Recommended for Melancholia Caused by Qi Stagnation

Formula Patterns Suitable For
Gan Mai Da Zao Tang Heart Blood Deficiency with Liver Qi Stagnation
Xiao Yao San Liver Qi Stagnation
Jia Wei Xiao Yao San Liver Qi Stagnation
Yue Ju Wan Liver Qi Stagnation
Chai Hu Shu Gan San Liver Qi Stagnation
Yi Guan Jian Liver Qi Stagnation
Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire

All "formulas that harmonize liver-Spleen" recommended for melancholia

Formula Patterns Suitable For (if applicable)
Xiao Yao San Liver Qi Stagnation
Jia Wei Xiao Yao San Liver Qi Stagnation

All "formulas that promote qi movement" recommended for melancholia

Formula Patterns Suitable For (if applicable)
Yue Ju Wan Liver Qi Stagnation
Chai Hu Shu Gan San Liver Qi Stagnation

Acupoints for Melancholia

TCM also utilizes acupuncture to treat melancholia, targeting specific acupoints to rebalance Qi flow. Shangqiu SP-5, located on the Spleen meridian, is utilized to strengthen the Spleen, remove obstructions from the Channel, and calm the Mind, reflecting TCM's comprehensive approach to treating melancholia by harmonizing the body's internal energies and supporting emotional well-being.

See more details below about Shangqiu SP-5, an acupoint used to address melancholia.

  • By Meridian
  • Spleen Channel
Shangqiu SP-5

Shangqiu SP-5

In the depression distal and inferior to the medial malleolus, midway between the navicular bone tubercle and the tip of the medial malleolus.