Chinese Medicine for the Mind: A Science-Backed Guide to Improving Mental Health with Traditional Chinese Medicine-Includes 35+ Herbal Formulas for Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, and More

by Nina Cheng

Genres: Health

160 pages, Hardcover

Published November 19, 2024

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Chinese Medicine for the Mind is a science backed guide to using traditional Chinese medicine practices to improve mental health and mental wellbeing. The book is a treasure trove of information and was very interesting to read from start to finish. Many herbs I hadn't heard of, so I'm not sure how easy they will be to find, and I suppose it depends where you live too. There's many 'recipes', I'd like to try out as, as a sufferer of depression I'd like to try healthier and more natural approaches to medicine to help control it.

[Tove R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am quite impressed with how much I've learned from this book! I have always been interested in Chinese medicine for my own benefit, and this book gave me food for thought. There are many things to go back to in this book, when needed. Some of the herbs might be hard to get hold of, but otherwise I think this is brilliant. Many people could benefit from this book and the vast knowledge it provides.

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mostly loved this book, which talks about traditional Chinese remedies for mental health issues like brain fog, anxiety, depression and more. I appreciated the deep dive into the historical spiritual view of each issue, the herbal recommendations, the addition of acupressure and other remedies. I also really appreciated the references and mention of studies regarding the effectiveness of remedies.

The two factors that keep me from ordering this book for myself:

1. The herbs are generally only given by their Chinese names, other than occasionally when you learn that’s the name for cinnamon or oyster shell or whatever. I grow and forage the vast majority of the herbs I use for remedies and I don’t want to buy formulas. I do this for a multitude of reasons— it’s more sustainable and better for the environment than shipping things from the other side of the world, I can be sure of the purity of where they’re grown, it’s virtually free, and I believe that we are best served by what we live near. Cheng mentions many herbs that I can grow or forage like licorice root and American ginseng (grow this one, as it’s overharvested). Most of the time though, it’s a long list of only the Chinese names when it lists what’s in each blend.

2. Cheng purposely does not give dosage or mixing instructions, because she says you should buy the blends from Chinese herbalists and herbal companies. She does not even give proportions for you to buy individual herbs from them and mix your own even though many ingredients are used in multiple remedies and it could get expensive having to buy a lot of different blends. Since companies are just mixing them in the standard proportions themselves and sticking a label on them, I can’t see why the reader can’t be trusted to do the same. Cheng herself founded a company that sells these blends but I am much more a fan of herbalists who pass on their knowledge.

It’s a fascinating book and will be great for those who just want to know what to buy and what to try. Recommended.

I read a temporary digital loan of this book for review.

[Georgina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and found the history and introductory explanations of the concepts of traditional Chinese medicine fascinating. I also loved the intention behind the book and agree with the author that it is the perfect time for this renewed interest in TCM in the west.

However I was confused about who the target audience for this was. It seems like it was intended to educate those already working with a TCM practitioner who would provide the prepared formulations described in this book for the reader. The author provides information regarding herbal formulas, but not how to mix them and advices not to mix them yourself. Of course there is real expertise held by TCM practitioners, but many of these formulas are also being sold by companies in standard formulations that could actually be replicated by the reader. A reader not already working with an expert and merely purchasing the herbal medicines online or from a shop may be being overcharged or given unsuitable mixes. I would have appreciated some more practical advice and recommendations that I, as the reader, could implement myself. This book felt more like a helpful resource for somebody with access to a TCM practitioner.

Thank you to NetGalley and Fair Winds Press for a copy of this ARC.

[Andy Boehm · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Chinese Medicine for the Mind” frames many western mental health patterns within a Traditional Chinese Medicine context. The book is organized clearly for reference, however I found it ultimately confusing who this text is written for.

In the ‘How to Use This Book’ section, the author states that “this book does not focus as much on theory but rather more on applied practice”. By this acknowledgment, it is implied that the reader will already have a working knowledge of theory if they are to understand the applications of the herbal prescriptions. However in the notes, the author says “none of the formulas presented here are meant to be prepared on your own”, suggesting a prepared form of herbal formulas in pills, granules or tablets vs raw herbs. Dosages of each herb within the context of formulas are left out, leaving the intentions of this book confusing. Overall the book appears too complex for a layman and oversimplified for a practitioner.

[MarryAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a very interesting read and a great introduction into Chinese Medicine.

It is a great resource if you want to learn about it and how it can help you, but it's not giving actual instruction on how actually mix the formulations presented here (which in my opinion is actually a good thing, because self-medicating can be very dangerous, but this way you get to learn about the herbs and how they connect to the issues, but it kinda forces you to work with a professional which is always safer).

It is very easy to read, providing information in a simple and clear manner, with interviews, tables, diagrams and illustrations. I especially like the conclusions at the end of each chapter.

All in all, a great book if you are curios about TCM, but it only provides de basics.

Disclaimer: I received a free e-book copy in exchange for an honest review

[A. Reiter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb. Intricately illustrated and cogently expressed, this is a succinct, thorough introduction into Traditional Chinese Medicine. Covers Insomnia, Depression, Anxiety, ADHD/Lack of Focus, and Trauma. Highly recommend adding this to your personal library of culture, wellness, and home medicine.

[Eli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doing the good work of translating old texts into modern day psychiatric treatments and diagnoses. Just wish there were psychiatric case studies.