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Seeking calm amid the storm

Due to recent events, many of us are coping with waves of emotions that have overtaken our once peaceful life. In these trying times where uncertainty, frustration, and anxiety disrupt the regularity of one's life, one is likely to experience symptoms such as insomnia, restlessness, and drastic emotional changes. According to traditional Chinese medicine, these symptoms are commonly classified as the unbalance of the "zang-fu" organs: the heart and liver.

Unbalance of the heart

In TCM, one of the main function of the heart is "the residence of the spirit" (Chapter 71, Miraculous Pivot). The word, "spirit" (shen) not only means the spiritual path, that is, consciousness and thinking, but also the outward appearance of the vital activities of the whole body. Hence, mental activities, thinking, memory, consciousness, and sleep are all related to the function of the heart housing the spirit.

The main material basis for mental activities is blood. It is controlled and regulated by the heart. Common complaints associated with the unbalance of the heart (insufficiency of heart blood or heart yin deficient) are insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, restlessness, emotional disturbances, fidgetyness, and palpitation with fear. The main reason for these symptoms is the inability for the heart to house the spirit (shen). When "shen" is not tranquilized and the blood fails to nourish the heart, it is difficult for one to calm down.

The formulas used for these symptoms nourish the heart blood/heart yin and calm the spirit. They are:

Suan Zao Ren Tang

Gui Pi Wan

Daan's Relaxing Tea

Tien Wang Pu Xin (Shin) Tan

Unbalance of the liver

Two of the main physiological functions of the liver are storing blood and maintaining the free flow of chi (energy). The liver stores blood and regulates the volume in circulation. As explained in the tenth chapter of the Plain Questions: "The liver stores blood…the blood circulates in the vessels during exertion and remain in the liver during rest." A characteristic of the liver is its dislike for anxiety and depression, which hinders the unrestrained, harmonious flow of chi. When the liver chi is stagnant, one is likely to be restless, depressed, anxious, and easily angered.

There are three commonly used formulas that work specifically in calming the liver and redirect a good flow of chi. They are:

Shu Kan Wan

Hsiao Yao Wan

Jia Wei Hsiao Yao Wan

The herbs in Shu Kan Wan are mainly used to soothe and maintain a good flow of the liver chi. Hsiao Yao Wan and Jia Wei Hsiao Yao Wan are formulas that not only deal with liver chi stagnation, but also restoring blood back to the liver. Hence, for those who have capricious mood swings and trouble sleeping, these two formulas might be what you need.

In this modern day world, it is difficult for us to control the events that happen around us. With this in mind, it is even more important for us to strive a better balance of our internal being.