Postpartum Depressionaccording to TCM

What is Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a complex, emotional, and mental health condition that affects new mothers following childbirth. It encompasses a range of symptoms from mild baby blues to severe depression, characterized by feelings of extreme sadness, exhaustion, anxiety, and changes in sleeping or eating patterns.

This condition not only affects the wellbeing of the mother but can also impact her ability to bond with and care for her newborn. Unlike the more transient "baby blues," postpartum depression is more intense and can persist if not addressed properly.

How does TCM view Postpartum Depression?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches postpartum depression as an imbalance of the body's vital energies and organ systems. Contrasting with Western medicine's focus on psychological and hormonal factors, TCM views PPD as a manifestation of disharmony in Qi (energy), Blood, and Yin.

TCM practitioners believe that childbirth can disrupt the body's balance, leading to deficiencies and stagnations that manifest as postpartum depression. Treatment is focused on restoring balance and nourishing the body at a deeper level.

Root Causes of Postpartum Depression in TCM

In TCM, postpartum depression is often attributed to a couple of key patterns. First, Blood Deficiency, particularly Heart Blood Deficiency, can lead to PPD symptoms like vivid dreaming and a general sense of unease. This pattern reflects a deficiency in the vital substances that nourish the Heart and Mind.

Secondly, Heart Yin Deficiency, characterized by symptoms like night sweats and a feeling of heat, indicates a deeper imbalance where the cooling, calming aspects of the body are depleted.

Additionally, Heart Blood Stagnation, marked by chest pain and emotional constriction, signifies a stagnation of blood affecting the emotional state. These patterns highlight the importance of a holistic approach in TCM to treat not just the symptoms but the root causes of postpartum depression.

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

  • By Syndrome
  • By Organ
  • Blood Deficiency
  • Yin Deficiency
  • Blood Stasis
  • Heart
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 Postpartum Depression

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Heart Blood Deficiency depression after giving birth, postnatal depression, postpartum depression, ppd, Easily startled, Vivid dreaming Gui Pi Tang
Detailed description of the cause

Yin Deficiency

Yin deficiency in TCM is a pattern of disharmony characterized by a depletion of the body's Yin energy, which represents the cooling, moistening, and nurturing aspects of our physiology. This condition often arises from factors like chronic stress, overwork, insufficient rest, or prolonged illness. Symptoms of Yin deficiency can include a sensation of heat, especially in the afternoon or evening, night sweats, insomnia, a dry mouth or throat, and a red tongue with little coating. There might also be a general feeling of restlessness or irritability. Since Yin is essential for balancing the body's active and warm Yang energy, its deficiency leads to a relative excess of Yang, manifesting as heat or dryness symptoms.... see more

Yin Deficiency Patterns That Can Lead to Postpartum Depression

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Heart Yin Deficiency depression after giving birth, postnatal depression, postpartum depression, ppd, Night sweats, Feeling of uneasiness, Feeling of heat, Heat sensation in palms Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan | Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang
Detailed description of the cause

Blood Stasis

Blood Stasis in TCM is a concept where the blood flow in the body is not as smooth or efficient as it should be. Imagine a river that's supposed to flow freely, but instead, it's getting blocked or moving too slowly in some parts. This can lead to various health issues, like pain that feels sharp or stabbing, dark bruises, and a complexion that looks purplish. TCM believes that good health relies on the smooth and vibrant flow of Qi and blood throughout the body, so when blood gets stuck, it's like a traffic jam in your body, leading to discomfort or health problems.... see more

Blood Stasis Patterns That Can Lead to Postpartum Depression

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Heart Blood Stagnation depression after giving birth, postnatal depression, postpartum depression, ppd, Stabbing chest pain, Chest constriction, Stifling sensation in the chest Xiao Tiao Jing Tang
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 Postpartum Depression

Common Symptoms: Palpitations Easily Startled Vivid Dreaming Insomnia Poor Memory Dizziness Anxiety Restlessness

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Heart Blood Deficiency depression after giving birth, postnatal depression, postpartum depression, ppd, Easily startled, Vivid dreaming Gui Pi Tang
Heart Yin Deficiency depression after giving birth, postnatal depression, postpartum depression, ppd, Night sweats, Feeling of uneasiness, Feeling of heat, Heat sensation in palms Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan | Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang
Heart Blood Stagnation depression after giving birth, postnatal depression, postpartum depression, ppd, Stabbing chest pain, Chest constriction, Stifling sensation in the chest Xiao Tiao Jing Tang

TCM Herbal Formulas for Postpartum Depression

To address these patterns, TCM recommends specific formulas and herbs. For Heart Blood Deficiency, Gui Pi Tang, which includes Ginseng (Ren Shen), is used to tonify Qi and Blood. In cases of Heart Yin Deficiency, Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan, with Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang), is prescribed to nourish the heart and calm the mind.

For Heart Blood Stagnation, a condition that can deeply impact the emotional wellbeing, Xiao Tiao Jing Tang with White Peony Roots (Bai Shao) is utilized to regulate Blood and alleviate emotional distress. These treatments are tailored to the individual, considering their unique presentation of postpartum depression, with the goal of restoring balance and promoting emotional and physical healing.

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

  • By Cause
  • By Formula Type
  • Blood Deficiency
  • Yin Deficiency
  • Blood Stasis
  • Formulas that tonify qi and blood
  • Formulas that nourish the heart and calm the mind
  • Formulas that nourish yin and tonify
  • Formulas that regulate blood
  • Formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation

All Formulas Recommended for Postpartum Depression Caused by Yin Deficiency

Formula Patterns Suitable For
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan Heart Yin Deficiency
Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang Heart Yin Deficiency

TCM Herbs for Postpartum Depression

Explore below some TCM herbs used to address postpartum depression, organized by herb category.

  • By Herb Category
  • Tonic herbs for qi deficiency
  • Tonic herbs for blood deficiency
  • Herbs that cool the blood

"Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency" recommended for postpartum depression

Herb Formulas they belong to (if applicable)
Ginseng (Ren Shen) Gui Pi Tang | Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang
Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) Gui Pi Tang
Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu) Gui Pi Tang
Liquorice (Gan Cao) Gui Pi Tang

"Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency" recommended for postpartum depression

Herb Formulas they belong to (if applicable)
Dong Quai (Dang Gui) Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang | Xiao Tiao Jing Tang
White Peony Roots (Bai Shao) Xiao Tiao Jing Tang | Dang Gui Shao Yao San