Natural Remedies For Your Anger and TCM Tips on How to Manage It
Over the last few years, more and more people seem to have gotten angrier and more emotionally dysregulated, possibly due to new health threats, rising inflation, or increased stress at work. However, it’s essential to recognize that feeling angry is a completely normal human emotion, typically healthy until it gets out of control.
In this blog, get tips and insights from Dr. Carolyn Cook of Miami Acupuncture and Classical Herbs about the natural remedies and Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) that you can apply to address anger before it worsens.
What is anger?
Anger, as explained by the American Psychological Association, is feeling mad at someone or something you think has wronged you on purpose. It can be useful for expressing negativity or pushing you to solve issues. However, too much anger can also lead to physical trouble, such as headaches, increased blood pressure, and anxiety.
The good news is that there are natural and easy ways to help you calm down and manage your anger. These natural solutions aim to lessen the strong feelings and the physical tension that anger brings. Remember: You can’t make the things or people that make you angry disappear. However, you can learn to control how you react.
Natural Remedies and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to Treat Anger
There are many natural ways to positively manage your emotions and lessen anger. These natural remedies can be as simple as changing your way of thinking, adding more physical activity, or getting natural treatments made from plants, herbs, minerals, or other natural things.
On the other hand, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) takes a complete approach to health, looking at how emotions affect the body. It includes practices like acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, and tai chi. In the US, more and more people have been turning to TCM since the 1970s. Today, about 27,000 licensed TCM practitioners like Dr. Cook are actively helping out those who need emotional interventions.
How emotions and organs are connected in Chinese Medicine
TCM emphasizes the strong connection between emotions and physical health, suggesting that emotions impact the body’s well-being and vice versa. For example, in TCM theory, when you tend to be very irritable or angry, this emotion can have a negative impact on your physical well-being, too, like harming your liver and causing various problems like headaches, redness in your face and eyes, and dizziness. Peppermint, ginger, and chamomile are herbal therapies used in TCM that can help improve these conditions.
Moreover, emotions like anger can also trigger anxiety. A patient of Dr. Cook shared how TCM helped improve her daughter’s anxiety and panic attacks, highlighting its potential benefits:
“My daughter was suffering from anxiety and panic attacks. I wanted to avoid medication and decided to give acupuncture a shot. I am thankful everyday that we went this route. Not only did Dr Cook introduce her to acupuncture but she also put her on natural herbs that targeted different issues. My daughter is doing so much better!”
Understanding how your mind and body are connected, and using tailored natural and TCM remedies like herbal treatments or acupuncture can help you better control your disposition, which includes controlling your emotions like anger and anxiety.
Holistic approaches to anger management
Effective anger management begins with self-awareness. Dr. Cook recommends a blend of natural and TCM remedies to aid in controlling and managing your emotions. Here are some tips to consider:
- Express your feelings. While “think before you speak” can minimize arguments, you should also allow yourself to express emotions rather than hold them back. This could be as simple as having private conversations with someone you trust or writing in your journal.
- Practice mindfulness and self-care. The mind and body are connected in many ways. You can try natural mindfulness techniques like deep breathing and meditation to help you observe and accept your feelings. Also, practice self-care, as no one will do it for you except you. Get enough sleep, eat nutritious food, and do activities that you enjoy and feel alive. Adopting a healthy lifestyle can support emotional balance.
- Try adding a massage for extra relief. Anger often tightens muscles and can even lead to injuries. If your body needs extra attention, you can use a massage technique that targets these tense areas, promoting relaxation and reducing stress. This can ultimately contribute to a happier, more relaxed state of mind.
- Consider herbal therapy. A variety of Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) can help address emotional imbalances. Dr. Cook uses a combination of formulas like herbal tea and plants like chamomile, peppermint, and valerian root. These herbs are personalized to suit your needs and treat your general well-being.
- Try acupuncture. This effective therapy can be a valuable intervention for managing anger. In TCM, it’s often the initial treatment choice. By inserting needles at precise points along meridians, acupuncture addresses Qi stagnation, which underlies emotional barriers. Dr. Cook is highly skilled in effectively addressing emotional disorders like anger, anxiety, and depression using this approach.
- Seek support. Be open to asking for help from others, especially those who can help you navigate and understand your condition. A licensed TCM doctor can help determine the right blend for your condition, whether you need acupuncture, stress management, or tailored classical herbs. Miami Acupuncture & Classical Herbs has over 25 years of experience delivering quality and effective TCM care.
Managing emotions such as anger involves using different natural methods together. Using these natural remedies and TCM tips from Dr. Cook can help you feel calmer and happier. At Miami Acupuncture & Classical Herbs, we are ready to see what is going on with your body and how we can improve your quality of health. You may contact us at cc@miamiherbs.com or call us for an appointment at (305) 665-9711.
Research:
https://fourflowerswellness.com/chinese-medicine-art-letting-go/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/anger-management/art-20045434
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/how-to-control-anger#1
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/anger-management/art-20045434