I am currently eliminating my anti convulsant and reducing my dosage of an SNRI (both for mood stabilization/depression) over the next two months in order to reduce the likelihood of birth defects should I become pregnant. Would Xiao Yao Wan be safe and wise to incorporate in my regimen instead?
Comment by Chad J. Dupuis, L.Ac.
In the most general terms possible, yes, xiao yao wan is probably a reasonably safe option for your set of conditions. That said, Chinese Medicine needs to be properly based on -your- tcm diagnosis, not on your general western conditions/symptoms (see “What Does Acupuncture Treat?” for more on this). So the best care for yourself would be to find and work with a practitioner locally who can properly diagnose you and choose appropriate treatments methods/herbal formulas. With proper treatment not only should you get a better result with your mood disorder, but also for your goal of conception.