TCM treatment with the modified wendan tang in 40 cases of melancholia.

Melancholia is a syndrome caused by emotional stress and stagnation of qi, involving the liver, affecting the heart and spleen, and leading to disharmony of qi of the zang-fu organs. Because of the complicated condition, it is not easy to determine the therapeutic principles. In this series of 40 cases, the modified Wen Dan Tang (Decoction for Clearing Away Gallbladder-Heat) was used for the treatment. Of them, 19 cases were cured, 16 improved, and 5 failed, with total effective rate of 87.5%.