- Clear pathogenic factors, nourish the Heart and calm the Mind: this is applicable
to deficiency of Yin leading to Empty-Heat, causing Mind Unsettled. - Resolve Phlegm, open the orifices and calm the Mind: this is applicable to
Phlegm or Phlegm-Fire, causing Mind Obstructed. - Sink and calm the Mind: this consists in the use of heavy minerals to sink rising
Qi and is used as an addition to other methods of treatment to treat the
Manifestation when the Mind is very unsettled.
It should be noted that "calm the Mind" is an expression that recurs, as a method of treatment, in
all cases of mental-emotional problems. It should be interpreted broadly to include not only the
strict sense of calming the Mind (as in anxiety), but also the broader sense of lifting mood (as in
depression).
The various pathologies and relevant methods of treatment may be summarized in tabular form
(Table 9.4Table 9.4).
Before discussing the acupuncture and herbal treatment of each pattern, it is worth mentioning
the action of some of the most frequently used points in mental-emotional problems.
Acupuncture
Outer Bladder Points
These are interesting and intriguing points for mental-emotional problems. They are situated on
the outer Bladder line on the back, 3 cun from the midline, in correspondence with the
Back-Transporting points of the five Yin organs. Their names clearly relate each point to the
mental-spiritual aspect of the relevant Yin organ.
Bl-42 Pohu ("Window of the Corporeal Soul")
This point, in correspondence with BL-13 Feishu Back-Transporting point of the Lungs,
strengthens and roots the Corporeal Soul in the Lungs. It frees breathing when the Corporeal
Soul is constricted by worry, sadness or grief. It calms the Mind and settles the Corporeal Soul to
make the person turn inwards and be comfortable with oneself.
From a physical point of view, it also nourishes Lung-Yin in chronic diseases such as
Lung-exhaustion.
Bl-44 Shentang ("Hall of the Mind")
This point, in correspondence with BL-15 Xinshu Back-Transporting point of the Heart,