10 Traditional Chinese Medicine Methods to Boost Your Mental Health

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?Traditional Chinese Medicine Approaches to Mental HealthIntegrating Chinese Medicine with Western Approaches to Mental Health

Table of ContentsView All

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Table of Contents

What Is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?

Traditional Chinese Medicine Approaches to Mental Health

Integrating Chinese Medicine with Western Approaches to Mental Health

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Taking care of your mental health is equally important as caring for your physical health. From the East to the West, there are manydifferent forms of medicationbut none is more ancient than Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Its techniques have existed since the age of time and are known to optimize your mental well-being. But what exactly is traditional Chinese medicine and should you practice it?

At a GlanceLike Western medicine, TCM offers different methods to treat mood issues and improve mental well-being. You probably have heard of popular TCM methods like meditation or feng shui and may have incorporated them into your daily wellness routine. But there are other methods, from herbal medicine to acupuncture, that can treat anxiety and stress-related disorders.

At a Glance

Like Western medicine, TCM offers different methods to treat mood issues and improve mental well-being. You probably have heard of popular TCM methods like meditation or feng shui and may have incorporated them into your daily wellness routine. But there are other methods, from herbal medicine to acupuncture, that can treat anxiety and stress-related disorders.

What Is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?

Dr. Tedi Fisher, RAc, a kinesiologist and owner ofThe Nest Clinic, a wellness clinic that practices TCM, says that Western medicine believes inregulating hormones and neurotransmitterssuch as dopamine, serotonin, and cortisol to help balance the nervous system and bring a person out of “fight or flight” and into “rest and digest.”

A TCM perspective, in comparison, looks at each organ system—the Qi and blood and the yin and the yang—to help bring the body back into balance, so a person can feel their optimal self.

For example, anger often comes up when there is a TCM diagnosis of liver Qi stagnation or liver yang hyperactivity. Acupuncture and herbal medicine can move the liver Qi, clear the hyperactive yang Qi, and calm the anger.

Dr. Danielle Baert, BSc, RAc, adds that in TCM, the patient’s health history and symptoms need to be known before the practitioner can determine the TCM diagnosis. A person’s TCM treatment is unique and customized to their needs.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Approaches to Mental Health

TCM does more than “boost mental health," explains Dr. Baert. It helps treat specific mood issues including frustration, being quick to anger, moodiness, grief, depression, fearfulness, and anxiety.

She adds that TCM can treat mood issues, no matter how they came to be. For example, say you’re experiencing moodiness from pre-menstrual syndrome or depression from the death of a friend. TCM can treat these symptoms equally, despite their different causes.

Herbal Medicine

TCM utilizes a wide range of herbal formulas tailored to individual needs that can help improve mood, reduce stress, and enhance overall mental well-being.

Michelle Oravitz, AP, LAc, the owner and founder of the Wholesome Lotus, a fertility acupuncture wellness clinic, says the herbal formula prescribed to an individual is based on patterns. Different patterns dictate which herbal medicine can improve their mental and emotional well-being. For example, most liver and heart patterns are connected to one’s emotions. To improve issues like depression or moodiness, one would take herbal medicine designed to improve liver and heart function.

Tatiana Rivera Cruz, MSW, LCSW,says some common herbs used in TCM include Red Ginseng root, Codonopsis root, Astragalus root, and more. These herbs help restore energy balance and help with opposing forces of energy.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate energy flow (Qi) and promote balance within the body.

Acupressure

Acupressure involves applying pressure to specific points on the body. These points correspond to the same meridians, the channels through which our Qi flows, used in acupuncture. By stimulating these points, acupressure aims to promote balance and improve the flow of energy within the body.

During an acupressure session, pressure is typically applied using fingers, thumbs, palms, or specialized tools. The pressure may be gentle or firm, depending on the individual’s tolerance and the specific condition being treated.

Moxibustion

Qi Gong

Qi Gong consists of gentle movements, breathing exercises, andmeditation techniquesaimed at cultivating and balancing Qi in the body. Regular practice of Qi Gong can help calm the mind, reduce stress, and promote emotional stability.

Tai Chi

Similar to Qi Gong, Tai Chi is a mind-body practice that combines slow, flowing movements with deep breathing and mental focus. Practicing Tai Chi can help promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, improve mood, and enhance cognitive function.

Dietary Therapy

According to TCM principles,certain foods can have a significant impact on mental health. Eating a balanced diet that includes nourishing foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can support emotional well-being.

Tuina Massage

Tuina is a form of Chinese therapeutic massage that focuses on stimulating acupressure points and manipulating the body’s energy channels. Tuina massage can help release tension, reduce anxiety and depression, and improve insomnia and sleep quality.

Feng Shui

Feng Shuiis the practice of arranging your environment to promote harmony and balance. Creating a supportive and harmonious living or working space can positively influence mental health and emotional well-being, according to TCM principles.

Mindfulness and Meditation

TCM emphasizes the importance ofmindfulness and meditationpractices to create inner peace and mental clarity. Engaging inmindfulness meditationregularly can help reduce stress, enhance self-awareness, and improve emotional resilience.

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Integrating Chinese Medicine with Western Approaches to Mental Health

Dr. Baert says that many TCM patients use Chinese medicine in combination with Western medication to manage their mood issues. She adds that some patients stay on their medication while getting TCM treatment and then gradually taper off (under the guidance of their physician) once their mood is more stable. Other patients prefer to stay on Western medication but use TCM to treat any side effects or help them reduce the dosage so that the side effects are less bothersome. Either approach is fine.

Oravtiz recommends using Western and Chinese medicines in tandem, as she believes “all medicines have their strengths” and that both approaches can “help improve certain conditions.”

If you’re looking to explore TCM therapies, Dr. Fisher suggests finding a practitioner you connect with. Practitioners have different ways of looking at health, philosophy, medicine, and the world. Be sure to go with one that is professionally licensed and registered in the specific modality they are providing.

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4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Marshall AC.Traditional chinese medicine and clinical pharmacology.Drug Discovery and Evaluation: Methods in Clinical Pharmacology.Liu, X., Li, R., Cui, J., Liu, F., Smith, L., Chen, X., & Zhang, D. (2021).The effects of tai chi and qigong exercise on psychological status in adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Frontiers in Psychology,12, 746975.Zhao X, Tan X, Shi H, Xia D.Nutrition and traditional Chinese medicine (Tcm): a system’s theoretical perspective.Eur J Clin Nutr. 2021;75(2):267-273.New item …Wang, Z., Xu, H., Zhou, H., Lei, Y., Yang, L., Guo, J., Wang, Y., & Zhou, Y. (2023).A systematic review with meta-analysis: Traditional Chinese tuina therapy for insomnia.Frontiers in Neuroscience,16, 1096003.

4 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Marshall AC.Traditional chinese medicine and clinical pharmacology.Drug Discovery and Evaluation: Methods in Clinical Pharmacology.Liu, X., Li, R., Cui, J., Liu, F., Smith, L., Chen, X., & Zhang, D. (2021).The effects of tai chi and qigong exercise on psychological status in adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Frontiers in Psychology,12, 746975.Zhao X, Tan X, Shi H, Xia D.Nutrition and traditional Chinese medicine (Tcm): a system’s theoretical perspective.Eur J Clin Nutr. 2021;75(2):267-273.New item …Wang, Z., Xu, H., Zhou, H., Lei, Y., Yang, L., Guo, J., Wang, Y., & Zhou, Y. (2023).A systematic review with meta-analysis: Traditional Chinese tuina therapy for insomnia.Frontiers in Neuroscience,16, 1096003.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Marshall AC.Traditional chinese medicine and clinical pharmacology.Drug Discovery and Evaluation: Methods in Clinical Pharmacology.Liu, X., Li, R., Cui, J., Liu, F., Smith, L., Chen, X., & Zhang, D. (2021).The effects of tai chi and qigong exercise on psychological status in adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Frontiers in Psychology,12, 746975.Zhao X, Tan X, Shi H, Xia D.Nutrition and traditional Chinese medicine (Tcm): a system’s theoretical perspective.Eur J Clin Nutr. 2021;75(2):267-273.New item …Wang, Z., Xu, H., Zhou, H., Lei, Y., Yang, L., Guo, J., Wang, Y., & Zhou, Y. (2023).A systematic review with meta-analysis: Traditional Chinese tuina therapy for insomnia.Frontiers in Neuroscience,16, 1096003.

Marshall AC.Traditional chinese medicine and clinical pharmacology.Drug Discovery and Evaluation: Methods in Clinical Pharmacology.

Liu, X., Li, R., Cui, J., Liu, F., Smith, L., Chen, X., & Zhang, D. (2021).The effects of tai chi and qigong exercise on psychological status in adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Frontiers in Psychology,12, 746975.

Zhao X, Tan X, Shi H, Xia D.Nutrition and traditional Chinese medicine (Tcm): a system’s theoretical perspective.Eur J Clin Nutr. 2021;75(2):267-273.

New item …Wang, Z., Xu, H., Zhou, H., Lei, Y., Yang, L., Guo, J., Wang, Y., & Zhou, Y. (2023).A systematic review with meta-analysis: Traditional Chinese tuina therapy for insomnia.Frontiers in Neuroscience,16, 1096003.

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