Depression, known as the ' first psychological killer ', can bring negative hints to people, produce negative emotions, and affect the daily life of patients. With the increasing pressure of modern life, the incidence of depression is more and more frequent. At present, the most common pathogenesis of depression research is monoamine neurotransmitters and their receptors. Therefore, Western medicine in the treatment of antidepressants is mainly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, but studies have pointed out that such drugs have a slow onset of depression, only about 60 % of the clinical efficiency and obvious adverse drug reactions, so they should not be taken for a long time. [1] The traditional Chinese medicine is based on the basic theory of each system established for thousands of years to treat depression and other emotional diseases. The good curative effect is also obtained through the practice of ancient doctors. Through a large number of literatures, the author summarizes the understanding of depression in traditional Chinese medicine from five zang organs, six meridians, ying and wei, qi, blood and body fluid, brain-gut axis theory and so on. These theories are inherited and innovated in modern times. Based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, modern medicine has explored a variety of methods for the treatment of depression, such as acupuncture, Baduanjin, light therapy, exercise therapy and five-element music therapy. Under the theoretical system of traditional Chinese medicine, a diversified treatment method for depression with reliable curative effect, good compliance, economical and practical, and small side effects has been derived. Through the integration and combing of depression-related literature in recent years, the author aims to provide new ideas for TCM treatment of depression.

Wang Li, Zhang Wenwen, Guo Yawen, Wang Ling. Research progress of depression in TCM. Frontiers in Medical Science Research (2023) Vol. 5, Issue 4: 67-74. https://doi.org/10.25236/FMSR.2023.050412.

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