When Qi Does Not Flow and the Heart is Not Nourished
In the West, feelings of depression are often seen as a purely mental or chemical imbalance. Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a complementary perspective by examining the body’s energetic state. Two patterns are central to this.
1. Liver Qi Stagnation: The Trapped Energy
The Pattern:With this type, the person feels stuck, frustrated, and irritable. There’s a heaviness in the chest, a tendency to sigh, and a lack of motivation. It’s as if the life energy (Qi) has nowhere to go. This is the classic “burnout” or stress-related depression.
The Approach:Physical movement (walking, yoga), creative expression, and herbs that move the energy can provide relief here.
2. Heart Blood Emptiness: The Unnourished Heart
The Pattern:Here, the person doesn’t feel so much frustrated as empty, apathetic, and restless. Poor memory, worry, and insomnia are often present. The “Heart,” the seat of the mind, lacks enough “Blood” (nourishment) to remain stable and calm.
The Approach:Nourishing food (soups, beetroot), sufficient rest and herbs that nourish the blood and mind can provide support here.
The Integration
A Western psychotherapeutic approach can help process the thought patterns and traumas behind depression. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can support this process by strengthening the physical and energetic foundation, creating greater resilience and vitality to face mental challenges.