A TCM Prescription for Postpartum Depression: Danzhuru Tang (Bamboo-Shavings Decoction)

Postpartum depression is a very common disease. Many women are tormented by it; some are affected for life, and severe cases even lead to suicide. Not long ago there was news of a woman who, suffering from postpartum depression, killed her child and then killed herself—very regrettable.

Postpartum-depression patients develop symptoms such as headache, shortness of breath, anxiety, and an irritable temper. The Danzhuru Tang (Light Bamboo-Shavings Decoction) in the Medicine King Sun Simiao's Qianjin Yaofang (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) may be the best prescription for postpartum depression.

In the Qianjin Yaofang, Danzhuru Tang is specifically for women after childbirth with deficiency vexation, headache, shortness of breath verging on collapse, and a feeling of oppression and confusion in the heart—it is highly on-pattern. This shows the disease was also common in ancient times, and that as early as the Tang dynasty a physician like Sun Simiao had already studied its treatment.

This prescription is actually a modified version of Ganmai Dazao Tang (Grain, Wheat and Jujube Decoction), a famous formula for treating depression. I have used it many times to treat depression, always with good results. The formula is as follows:

Sheng Gancao (raw Licorice) 10 g, Huai Xiaomai (Huai wheat) 30 g, Dazao (Jujube) 6-10 pieces (broken up)

This formula is very simple; some people may find it unbelievable to use it for depression, but I have used it clinically and the effect is indeed excellent. I have also used it very effectively for insomnia caused by anxiety. I often use this formula for anxiety and insomnia in cancer patients, also with good results; this is the mind-calming formula that Professor He Ren most liked to combine into large prescriptions for cancer patients.

The composition of Danzhuru Tang is as follows:

Sheng Danzhuru (raw light bamboo shavings) 9 g, Maidong (Ophiopogon) 12 g, Sheng Gancao (raw Licorice) 3 g, Huai Xiaomai (Huai wheat) 12 g, Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) 9 g (sliced), Dazao (Jujube) 14 pieces (broken up)

If the patient is deficient and fatigued, add Renshen (Ginseng) 3 g, or Fuling (Poria) 4.5 g; if there is counterflow qi, add Fabanxia (processed Pinellia) 6 g.

The Danzhuru in this formula is the bamboo shavings sold in Chinese herb shops. Huai wheat is not the same as the floating wheat (Fuxiaomai) commonly sold in pharmacies; here Huai wheat is ordinary edible wheat.