Glutamate is a major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and a potential neurotoxin. During the development of depression, there is an increase in glutamate concentration in the hippocampus, and when glutamate accumulates, it will cause serious damage to neurons and brain tissue, aggravating the depressive state. Therefore, glutamate accumulation may be an important mechanism for depression. Astrocytes, glutamate transporters and glutamate receptors play important regulatory roles in the concentration of glutamate. This article reviews the mechanism of action of traditional Chinese medicine therapy on the treatment of depression by regulating astrocytes, glutamate transporters, and glutamate receptors, and provides new ideas for exploring the treatment of depression by traditional Chinese medicine.