What are the Psychopharmacological Effects of Herbs which calm the Shen? An exploratory review
By Philip Trubshaw - MSc Chinese Herbal Medicine
Abstract
Introduction
Shen is a concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine which relates to the aspects of the mind. Several Chinese herbs are attributed to ‘Calm the Shen’ and used to settle the mind. However the pharmacology and biomedical activity of the herbs is not always understood.
Objectives
To identify the psychopharmacological action of herbs which influence the Shen in order to understand how the herbs work in a biomedical context.
Methodology
Searches were carried out in databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Alt HealthWatch and AMED. 22 Herbs were identified in the category Nourish the Heart, Calm the Shen or with the Chinese Herbal Medicine action ‘Calm the Shen’. Searches were carried out including their pin yin, English, botanical and pharmaceutical names. These were alongside terms including psychopharmacology, pharmacology, psychiatry, psychiatric disorders. Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome & Setting (PICOS) and CAPO (Clinical situation, Assay, Predicate & Outcome) were used to select suitable papers. Critical appraisal of studies was carried out using CASP checklists for systematic reviews and clinical trials, the SYRCLE risk of bias tool for animal studies and the guidelines for evidence based laboratory testing for in vitro studies. Psychopharmacological actions of herbs and their phytochemicals were established and discussed in relation to their biomedical medicine in comparison to the Chinese medical uses.
Results
Common findings included anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, regulation of neurotransmitters and their receptors, neuroprotective effects, anti-apoptosis, promotion of neurogenesis, sedative and hypnotic activity, anti-depressant activity, anxiolytic effects and several herbs indicated to be beneficial in the pathophysiology in Alzheimer’s disease processes including the inhibition and reversal of amyloid beta and neurofibrillary tangles with promotion of memory, cognition and learning capabilities.
Conclusion
Chinese herbs with the action ‘Calm the Shen’ and their phytochemicals have a range of psychopharmacological influences which could prove beneficial in the treatment of a range of mentally associated illnesses including depression, anxiety, insomnia and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. The study achieved the aim to provide the biomedical terminology to comprehend the use of Chinese herbs in treating mental illness which can allow practitioners from both disciplines to communicate.
