Objective To analyze the formation regulations of formulas of Chinese medicines for calming the mind to discuss the pathogenesis

syndromes

and characteristics of treatment methods of mental disorders.Methods Statastical analysis was made on classification

prescribed frequency and meridian tropism of medicines

applied frequency of various treatment methods

and compatibility frequency of medicines of 247 formulas for calming the mind.Results The medicines prescribed for mental disorders were based on disease differentiation and syndrome differentiation. In the syndrome differentiation

the tonifying medicines were used most frequently

the tonifying method was applied most frequently

and it was mostly applied together with the method of dispelling excess factors such as dissolving phlegm damp. As for meridian tropism

kidney

liver and spleen meridian are considered the main.Conclusion Deficiency

especially the kidney deficiency

is the main pathogenesis of mental disorders

which are characterized by complicated pathological condition with both deficiency and excess in syndromes. Tonifying the deficiency in combination with removing the excess

dissolving phlegm damp in particular

is the important principle to follow in the treatment of mental disorders.