Mental Illness
Mental Illness was traditionally classed as Insanity, Madness, Mania, Melancholy, etc. Since ancient times, Evil Spirits, Ghosts, Demons and Witchcraft were often blamed for Mental Illness, and this belief still holds firm in many traditional cultures today.
Traditional texts and names of formula often use terms such as “Madness” which would be viewed as inappropriate today. However, this had no intended derogatory implications at the time of writing.
Traditional Classifications of Mental Illness
- Frenzy–loss of understanding; comes with Fever; associated with Inflammation or swelling of the Brain. There is restlessness, talkative, dry and black tongue, forgetful, crying out in their sleep. If there is a red tongue with yellow coating and Fever, it is a classical Frenzy. There was said to be many kinds, but can generally be divided into three:
- Blood–“they may adjudge all things as they be, know what it is; but how to think of it and use It do they know nothing at all”. Bloodletting is especially indicated.
- Bile–”they do know in their thoughts or forecast nothing at all: but adjudge much otherwise of all that ever they see then it is”. Purging and Cooling enemas is especially indicated.
- Melancholy–”they be so distracted of their wits, that they can neither discern right, nor adjudge right”
- Mania or Madness–altered understanding with raging and madness, but without Fever. “
alterations In words or deeds done without sense or reason, like as much talk and prating, much Waking, leaping; great troubles, and such like” (Wirtzung) This was commonly believed to be Possession in ancient times.. - Melancholy–”corruption of the judgement and thoughts. altered from their natural kind, into an unnatural and spoiled manner, tempered with fear and care [worry]” (Wirtzung)
- Hysteria–occurs in women, often likened to Epilepsy. Said to be caused through retention of menstruation or “retention of the natural seed, especially to them that be accustomed to have the company of a man, and must then forbear it, as widows, and aged maidens” (Wirtzung). Symptoms include dizziness, headache, madness, shortness of breath, palpitations, sometimes with redness of the face and eyes, gnashing of teeth. However, they retain their Memory and Knowledge. This is dealt with under PMS & Hysteria.
Humoral Differentiation
The Western Humoral system classifies most mental illness as being associated with Melancholy humor. However, some cases are caused of Heat, being like the classification of Mania in TCM: a Hot or Yang disorder. The other type is more Damp or Phlegm which is similar to the Yin-Withdrawal patho-mechanism of TCM. It can also be classified according to the Humors:
- Blood: sings, merry, thinks they are in heaven, or an Angel or God talks to him, or believes himself to be rich, or a King etc. Maybe over joyous or maniacal. They have a rosey face and a full pulse.
- Congealed or Burnt Blood: maybe a little Merry, then gets angry, cries, beats themselves etc. Dull complexion, cyanosis, choppy pulse.
- Melancholy: Gloomy, sad, fearful (without cause), may see inanimate objects such as serpents or venomous beats, sits in the dark alone, hands clasped together; crows like a rooster or barks like a dog etc. Also maybe cruel or suicidal. The have a thin frame, dull complexion, small pulse and a scared look in their eyes.
- Phlegm: mind is heavy and dull, withdrawn, introverted. Their face is pale, excess phlegm, pale or flabby tongue with a white coating, and a slow pulse.
avoids the strange thoughts and imaginations, the pensiveness and
Melancholy is driven out, and the Brains get again their force or strength,
and are increased. Wherefore if this be done, then is the evil Spirit or
Will driven out, and all wicked thoughts are forgotten.’ (Brunschwig, 1561)
TCM Differentiation
TCM divides mental illness broadly into ‘Withdrawal’ and ‘Mania’. The first is Yin (Cold/Phlegm/Deficient) withdrawn into oneself; the second is Yang (Hot/ Excess), is extroverted, aggressive and outwardly expressive: talkative, dancing etc.
Older texts gave a number of causes: Bad Food, Excess drinking, Dampness or undigested Humors in the Stomach, Infected Air, Anger or excess other emotions etc.
Traditional Psychotherapy
Various forms of Psychotherapy were recommended in Traditional texts. Surrounding the patient with pleasant sights, smells and sounds was long seen as beneficial. Keeping them occupied and encouraging them to partake in social activities. Those with sadness and heaviness of mind should be made joyful and told happy things. Brunschwig (1561) had other useful advice: “Many things should be promised him, and some given’. Also ‘If it is a man, the same ought to be refreshed with women, the same avoids Anger. But if it is a Woman, the same ought to be refreshed with men, and to their company admitted: the same brings them to their right Mind again’.
Diet was long recognised as important. Easy to digest foods such as Lamb, Chicken, Eggs, Bread and avoiding strong drinks or heavy foods. Avoid overeating, and allow food to digest once eaten, avoiding eating upon half digested food.
Treatment
A regular Purge in those with an excess type Mental Illness is beneficial. Pills of Cochia, Pills of Lapis Lazuli or Confectio Hamech are examples of those suitable as a purge. Restorative medicines that strengthen the Heart and calm the Mind and Nerves may be given in the interim.
Those with excess Blood or an excess condition can be Bled. If there is Frenzy with Fever, a red tongue with yellow coat, the Head vein was opened even until they feel weak, then 4 days later the vein of the Forehead. Another version suggested opening the Forehead vein, then 6 days later the the vein between the Thumb and Forefinger. In Unani, Cupping with Bloodletting (Hijama) on the head (the head being shaved) is highly regarded.
Various scents have long been used in such cases. The fumes of equal parts of Frankincense and St. Johns wort were claimed to repel Evil Spirits and Witchcraft. They appear to have given relief to those affected with mental illness. Likewise in the East, Sandalwood is said to have a positive effect in lifting the vibration of areas such as temples, and is beneficial to the frantic and those with insanity.
Certain medicines can also be worn to promote a positive effect. These include Pearl, Coral, Amber, various precious stones, Gold etc.
Special Formula
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ACUTE INSANITY 1. Digitalis Tincture every 3 hours. 2. “Acute Insanity (with intense congestion of head, face, hands and feet).—Cured with Fluid Extract of Ustilago, adult, I drachm, every 6 hours.” (The medical genius – a guide to the cure, Jones, 1887) A DRINK FOR INSANITY i. Lapis Lazuli infused in Aqua Vitae ii. Aqua Vitae 2 tablespoonfuls Wine 6 tablespoonfuls Senna powder 2 drams Mix and give every morning. (Brunschwig, 1561) FRENZY Lily of the Valley flowers, steeped 2 weeks in old wine, then distilled in a water bath was “much commended above all things” (Wirtzung) ‘THE HEREDITARY SPECIFIC OF SENNERTUS FOR MADNESS’. Balm flowers (or leaf) 1 handful Powdered Pearls ½ dram Brandy 4 oz. Chop the Balm small, then mix and make a Tincture, SA. A supposed specific for Madness. Dose: 2 spoonfuls as a dose. (Salmon, Synopsis Medicinae, 1695) TRIPHERA OF DODDER OF THYME Myrobalans Chebula Emblic Belleric Black 1 part each Dodder of Thyme 2 parts Hiera Picra ½ parts Mix with Honey of Emblic or ChebulIc Myrobalans. For Mania and Melancholy. (De Morbis Internis Curandis, Mesue, 1551) MADNESS FROM PHLEGM OR COLD Senna 2 drams Sugar ½ oz. Aqua Vitae Bugloss Water 1 tablespoonful each Pea Broth equal to the rest Mix and take each morning for 3 morning. On the third day give him 3 Pills of Cochia. (Brunschwig, 1561) ANOTHER FOR MADNESS FROM COLD Saffron 2 drams Cinnamon ½ oz. Aqua Vitae ½ oz. Sew the Saffron and Cinnamon in a cloth and infuse them in a pint of white wine. Give some morning and evening. Clove can also be added. |
POWDER FOR MADNESS (1) Coriander 2 drams Water Lily flower 3 drams Violet flower Rose flower 2 drams each Lettuce seed Poppy seed 1 dram each Red Coral 1 ½ drams Red Sandalwood 2 scruples Form powder. (Rondeletius) POWDER FOR MADNESS (2) Violet flower Water Lily flower 1 oz. each Rose ½ oz. Camomile flower White Poppy seed Poppy capsule Mandrake root bark 2 drams each Aniseed Dill seed Granorum tinctorum 1 scruple each Form powder. (Rondeletius) COMPOUND TINCTURE OF ST. JOHN’S WORT St. John’s wort 20 grams Scarlet Pimpernel 10 grams Bugloss flowers Rosemary Rose 5 grams each Cinnamon 3 grams Saffron 1 grams Prepare a tincture. This is an abbreviated version used for ‘Madness, foolishness of Mind, Enchantments, Sorcery, Witchcraft and Melancholy’. Dose: 1-2 oz. (Mynsichts) |
See also
Black Bile & Melancholy
Treatment of Melancholy by Wirtzung
Research
1. The most common native medicinal plants used for psychiatric and neurological disorders in Urmia city, northwest of Iran
2. Popular Herbal and Natural Remedies Used in Psychiatry
3. A Review of Herbal Medicines for Psychiatric Disorders
4. Ayurvedic concepts related to psychotherapy – PMC – NCBI
5. CONCEPT OF MENTAL HEALTH IN AYURVEDA
6. Traditional Chinese medicine in psychiatric practice in Singapore