Q For postpartum depression, is Korean medicine treatment just taking herbal medicine? Do you also do acupuncture or other treatments?
A Herbal medicine of the Guibi-tang and postpartum-tonic class is the foundation, combined with acupuncture that enhances the spirit-calming effect. When the body is cold or energy is extremely depleted, moxibustion may also be added.
Detailed Answer
Korean medicine treatment for postpartum depression largely consists of three parts. First, blood-nourishing, spirit-calming herbal medicine. Based on Guibi-tang (Restore the Spleen decoction) and postpartum tonics, we add spirit-calming herbs that settle the mind, such as Korean angelica (danggwi), sour jujube seed (sanjoin), polygala (wonji), and poria (boksin), to replenish the blood of the Heart and manage anxiety and insomnia. Second, spirit-calming and liver-coursing, qi-regulating acupuncture. We needle acupoints that harmonize the energy of the Heart and Liver to relieve mood swings and tension. Third, when energy is extremely low, moxibustion on the navel and lower abdomen to replenish yang energy. We combine these three according to your body's condition.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
The core of Dongjedang's postpartum depression treatment lies in the two axes of nourishing blood and calming the spirit (bohyeol-ansin) and coursing the Liver and regulating qi (sogan-igi). While replenishing the insufficient blood that leaves the Heart unstable, we work to release the Liver's energy so that suppressed emotions can circulate, combining herbal medicine, acupuncture, and moxibustion.
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