Chinese herbalists believe that all disease is caused by the interruption of Chi and the resulting imbalance of Yin and Yang and that this interruption is caused by excesses....either excesses of heat and cold, or yin and yang, or internal/external, full/empty conditions AND/OR an emotional excess. The seven excess emotions are:

1.      Joy

2.      Anger

3.      Anxiety

4.      Brooding

5.      Sorrow

6.      Fear

7.      Fright

It is believed that an excess of each emotion has a corresponding element, organ that is affected and effect on the Qi of a patient.

Excessive joy calms the Qi, the related element is fire and the organ affected is the heart.

Excessive anger stimulates the Qi, the related element is wood and the organ affected is the liver.

Excessive Anxiety obstructs the Qi, the related element is water and the organ affected is the kidney.

Excessive brooding coagulates the Qi, the related element is earth and the organ affected is the spleen.

Excessive sorrow reduces the Qi, the related element is metal and the organ affected is the lung.

Excessive fear suppresses the Qi, the related element is water and the organ affected is the kidney.

Excessive fright disturbs the Qi, the related element is water and the organ affected is the kidney.

Chinese herbalists have long known that our emotions affect our bodies. Western medicine has only recognized this since it has been scientifically proven beyond any reasonable doubt. Our emotions affect our physical health and the opposite is also true...our physical health affects our emotions.

There are herbs that can calm the nerves, help us to sleep, and raise our spirits that Chinese herbalists prescribe after they have diagnosed the cause and the source of a patient's illness. Chinese herbal medicine practitioners treat the whole person...not just the physical body.