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A Chinese formula of medicinal plants is effective in treating depression

A herbal-based traditional Chinese medicine formula called “xiao yao san” is effective in treating depression and has fewer and less serious side effects than the most frequently used antidepressant drugs, according to several studies cited by the prestigious Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York.

“Xiao yao san” not only does not produce serious side effects, but also has protective properties on the liver, the organ that is usually hit hardest by synthetic medicines.

Medicinal plants to treat depression and anxiety

“Xiao yao san” is a blend with a long medicinal history as a treatment for depression, anxiety and stress. A review of studies conducted by researchers at Guang’anmen Hospital concluded that the combination of traditional medicine with drugs improved outcomes in the treatment of depression.

A modified version of the mixture, called “jia wei xiao yao san”, achieves even longer lasting effects and a lower rate of complications compared to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant medications such as fluoxetine, paroxetine and sertraline. Also, this formula improves the symptoms of sleep disorder.

Effective in relieving the symptoms of menopause

According to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), “xiao yan san” is indicated for the treatment of symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, such as tiredness, mood swings, depression and insomnia.

In Taiwan, on the other hand, it is the traditional medicine most prescribed to breast cancer patients, for alleviate the effects of chemotherapy. It also reduces the risk of endometrial cancer, always according to studies collected by the MSKCC.

The biological mechanisms that explain the effects of these mixtures of medicinal plants have not yet been fully clarified, but the researchers suggest that they act on mood by regulating the levels of arginine, alanine, lactic acid, glycerol, glutamine, glutamic acid, hypoxanthine , myo-inositol and cholesterol, which are involved in the metabolism of aspartate, D-glutamine and D-glutamate.

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A study published in Phytotherapy Research suggests that “xiao yao san” may alleviate depression by modify the intestinal microbiota, which would improve the metabolism of amino acids.

The plants that make up the “xiao yao san” mixture

“Xiao yao san” is composed of 8 medicinal plants:

Chinese peony root or bush rose (Paeonia lactiflora Pall)Root of Bupleurum chinensePoria (extensive wolfiporia)Rhizome of Atractylodis macrocephalaeRoot of Angelicae sinensis (dong quai)Liquorice root (Glycyrrhizae uralensis)Ginger (Zingiber officinale)Japanese mint (Mentha haplocalyx)

The “jia wei xiao yao san” version adds two plants:

peony bark (moutan cortex)Fruits of Gardenia jasminoides

The formulas “xiao yao san” and “jia wei xiao yao san” are marketed in the form of capsules, tablets, mixture to infuse and extracts.

Scientific references:

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