Chinese herbs can help bipolar disorder.
Nearly 2.3 million people in the United States have bipolar disorder, which is characterized by impulsive alternating states of mania and depression. The cause of bipolar is still being investigated although two-thirds of bipolar cases have been linked to genetics. Chinese herbs are considered an alternative treatment for bipolar and are generally used in conjunction with conventional therapies and should be monitored by a trained Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner.
Mood
Chinese herbs soften mood swings.
The bipolar person suffers intense mood swings which result in a yo-yo effect between high states of mania and low states of depression. Along with the general recommendations which include a calm environment, avoiding over-stimulation, ample rest, regular exercise and a healthful diet, Chinese herbs administered by a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner can not only treat mood swings, but actually stabilize them.
Formulas
Chinese herb combinations make this form of treatment effective.
Traditional Chinese medicine upholds that it is the formula of herbs, not one specific herb, that treats a condition. Formulas are generally composed of principal herbs, assisting herbs, directional herbs and herbs that buffer the side-effects of other herbs.
Tradition
Herbal recipes are blended and simmered by a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner.
Traditional Chinese Medicine dates back 1,000s of years and us used by 25 percent of the world's population. Chinese herbal formulas are made from roots, stems, bark, leaves, flowers and seeds of many plants. Herbal recipes are blended and simmered by a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner and administered by cup 1 to 3 times daily. Some formulas are available in pill and powder form, which are easier to use.
Remedy
Healing teas
Chinese herbs can help the bipolar person by stabilizing their mood swings. A Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner could, for example, recommend a formula called "The Iron Filings Combination," which includes: aparagas, ophiopogon, fritillaria, arosaema, orange peel, polygala, acorus, forsythia, hoelin, fu-shen, scrophularia, uncaria stem, salvia and iron filings. This recipe is said to calm the emotions and reduce mania and impulsivity, which is characteristic of bipolar disorder.
Alternatives
Chinese herbs, roots, seeds and flowers
A trained TCM practitioner may also use any of the following Chinese herbs which have shown to relieve the symptoms of mania and depression that define bipolar disorder. These popular Chinese herbs include: A Mien Pian for anxiety and mental exhaustion; Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan for insomnia, anxiety and mental restlessness; Bu Lai Cas for dementia; Buplerum also known as Hare's ear root or Chai hu for anxiety; Da T'soa for calming effect; Ding Xin Wan for restlessness and anxiety, and Schizandra for fatigue and depression.
Mainstream
Other herbs for bipolar
Some of the more easily recognizable herbs that are used to alleviate bipolar are: ginseng, which increases energy and alleviates depression; ginko bilboa, which improves blood flow to the brain enhancing brain function and mood; and gotu kola, which treats anxiety and depression.
Administration
A TCM practitioner will choose a specific formula for each bi polar patient based on the patients overall constitution and display of symptoms. Another formula that a TCM could, for example, administer to treat the depression and mania of bi polar disorder is called "Bupleurum Dragaon Bone and Oyster shell: Chai Hu Long Gu MU Li Wan." This recipe would include the following herbal ingredients: Bupleurum, or Hare's ear root, aka chai hu, with pinellia, poria, Cinnamon branch, scullcap, sour date, condonpsis, fossilized bone, oystershell, ginger and rhubarb.
Tags: Chinese herbs, Traditional Chinese, Chinese Medicine, Chinese Medicine practitioner, Medicine practitioner, mood swings, Traditional Chinese Medicine