Introduction:
Anxiety is a growing concern in today’s fast-paced world, affecting millions of people globally. While modern medications offer relief, many seek natural remedies for anxiety that don’t come with the side effects of pharmaceuticals. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), documented in the classic text ‘Bencao Gangmu’ (Compendium of Materia Medica), provides a wealth of knowledge on how herbs can help calm the mind and ease anxiety. This article explores specific herbs from TCM that effectively address anxiety, their dosages, and how they work to promote mental well-being.
Natural Anxiety Relief with Traditional Chinese Medicine: Insights from Bencao Gangmu
Key Herbs for Treating Anxiety
- Jujube Seed (Suan Zao Ren – 酸枣仁)
- Dosage: 9-18 grams
- Properties: Jujube Seed is highly regarded in TCM for its ability to calm the mind, nourish the heart, and promote sleep. It’s effective in treating anxiety, insomnia, and restlessness.
- How to Use: Often brewed into a tea or ground into powder, it can be taken regularly to reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality.
- Poria (Fu Ling – 茯苓)
- Dosage: 9-15 grams
- Properties: Poria is known for its ability to calm the spirit and relieve anxiety by balancing the heart and spleen. It also promotes water metabolism, which can help ease symptoms of anxiety related to excess dampness in the body.
- How to Use: Poria is typically used in teas or soups, and can be combined with other herbs to strengthen its calming effects.
- Licorice Root (Gan Cao – 甘草)
- Dosage: 3-9 grams
- Properties: Licorice Root is a harmonizer in TCM, often added to herbal formulas to balance the effects of other herbs. It helps alleviate anxiety by soothing the nervous system and reducing tension.
- How to Use: Licorice Root is often included in herbal decoctions for its mild calming and harmonizing effects.
- Polygala (Yuan Zhi – 远志)
- Dosage: 6-12 grams
- Properties: Polygala is used in TCM to open the heart, calm the mind, and resolve pent-up emotions. It is particularly useful for anxiety that manifests with restlessness, irritability, or insomnia.
- How to Use: It is typically brewed in tea or made into a powder that can be consumed to ease emotional tension and anxiety.
Herbal Formula for Anxiety Relief (Based on Bencao Gangmu)
Ingredients:
- Jujube Seed (Suan Zao Ren): 12 grams
- Poria (Fu Ling): 10 grams
- Licorice Root (Gan Cao): 5 grams
- Polygala (Yuan Zhi): 8 grams
Preparation:
- Combine all herbs in 500ml of water.
- Boil the mixture for 20 minutes until the water reduces by half.
- Strain the liquid and divide it into two servings.
- Drink one serving in the morning and one in the evening to help calm anxiety and promote mental clarity.
External Application for Calming Anxiety
For immediate relief from anxiety, create a soothing herbal bath by steeping Jujube Seed and Poria in hot water. Soak in the bath for 20 minutes to help calm the nerves and reduce stress.
Why TCM is Effective for Anxiety
Traditional Chinese Medicine views anxiety as a result of imbalances in the heart, spleen, or kidneys, and uses herbs to restore these organs’ functions. By nourishing the heart, calming the spirit, and balancing the body’s energy, TCM offers a holistic approach to treating anxiety. These remedies not only ease symptoms but also address the root cause of anxiety, promoting long-term mental wellness.
Conclusion:
The remedies for anxiety outlined in ‘Bencao Gangmu’ provide a natural alternative to modern pharmaceuticals. These herbs work synergistically to calm the mind, reduce restlessness, and restore emotional balance. For those looking for a holistic approach to managing anxiety, Traditional Chinese Medicine offers safe and effective solutions.
References:
- Li Shizhen. “Compendium of Materia Medica” (Bencao Gangmu), 1596.