noted that, when nourishing Kidney-Yin in mental-emotional problems, it is advisable to add one
or two Kidney-Yang tonics in a small dosage. This is necessary to make the formula more
moving and dynamic and thus affect the Mind and Will-Power more readily. In chronic
depression especially, one of the clear features of the condition is the way the patient is "stuck"
in a mental-emotional pattern from which it is very difficult to break out. A certain resistance to
treatment, hopelessness and despair are typical of chronic depression. In such cases, assuming
they present with a configuration of Yin deficiency, it is important to add some Kidney-Yang
tonics to invigorate Yang and provide movement to the prescription. In particular, one would
choose those Kidney-Yang tonics which are pungent in taste as this taste moves and invigorates.
Two examples are Du Zhong Cortex Eucommiae ulmoidis and Ba Ji Tian Radix Morindae
officinalis. Of course, some of the above four prescriptions already contain some Kidney-Yang
tonics.
Another frequent addition to the above Yin-nourishing prescriptions is Shi Chang Pu Rhizoma
Acori graminei to open the Mind's orifices, clear the Mind and lift mood. This would be an
essential addition to all four previous prescriptions. It is also pungent in taste and would
therefore also have a beneficial moving effect as the Yang tonics mentioned above.
Finally, if there is deep depression and exhaustion, Lu Rong Cornu Cervi parvum should be
added even though it is a Yang tonic. It tonifies Kidney-Yang without drying, stokes up the Fire
of the Gate of Vitality without creating Empty-Heat, benefits the Essence and powerfully lifts
mood.
Note
As will be remembered, the main treatment methods used in mental-emotional problems were
five:
- Nourish the Heart and calm the Mind
- Clear pathogenic factors and calm the Mind
- Clear pathogenic factors, nourish the Heart and calm the Mind
- Resolve Phlegm, open the orifices and calm the Mind
- Sink and calm the Mind.
The first four have all been discussed when dealing with the various patterns of
mental-emotional problems. We should now discuss the fifth method of treatment and that is to
sink and clam the Mind. This consists in the use of minerals and shells which have a high density
and are heavy. The traditional idea is that they weigh upon the Heart to sink the Mind, thus
relieving anxiety, agitation and insomnia when these are caused by rebellious Qi. This is usually
either Liver-Yang or Liver-Wind rising or Heart Empty-Heat.