What is the best medicine for insomnia due to kidney yin deficiency?

Dec 12, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Sun Lianqing

Introduction

In general, insomnia due to kidney yin deficiency is often caused by insufficiency of kidney yin and disturbance of the heart by deficient fire. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as Liuwei Dihuang Pills, Zhibai Dihuang Pills, Tianwang Buxin Dan, Qiju Dihuang Pills, and Jiaotai Pills for treatment. It is important in daily life to develop healthy habits, avoid staying up late and excessive fatigue, and reduce intake of spicy or stimulating foods. Before bedtime, relaxation techniques such as foot soaking or meditation can help relax both body and mind.

Generally, insomnia due to kidney yin deficiency is mainly caused by insufficiency of kidney yin and ascending deficient fire disturbing the heart. Patients may follow medical advice to use traditional Chinese medicine formulas such as Liuwei Dihuang Pills, Zhibai Dihuang Pills, Tianwang Buxin Dan, Qiju Dihuang Pills, and Jiaotai Pills for treatment. The specific analysis is as follows:

1. Liuwei Dihuang Pills (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pills)

Liuwei Dihuang Pills consist of herbs such as Rehmannia glutinosa (prepared) and Cornus officinalis, which nourish kidney yin. When kidney yin is sufficient, the deficient fire naturally subsides, calming the mind and improving symptoms such as insomnia with vivid dreams, dizziness, tinnitus, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees—commonly seen in kidney yin deficiency. It serves as a fundamental formula for constitutional regulation.

2. Zhibai Dihuang Pills

Zhibai Dihuang Pills are based on Liuwei Dihuang Pills with the addition of Anemarrhena rhizome (Zhimu) and Phellodendron bark (Huangbai), enhancing the effect of nourishing yin and reducing deficient fire. This formula is suitable for individuals with pronounced internal heat due to severe kidney yin deficiency. By clearing away the false fire that disturbs the heart, it effectively relieves insomnia accompanied by symptoms such as night sweats, tidal fever, and hot palms and soles.

3. Tianwang Buxin Dan (King of Heaven's Heart-Nourishing Pill)

Tianwang Buxin Dan contains yin-nourishing ingredients like raw Rehmannia and Scrophularia, combined with sedative herbs such as sour jujube seed (Ziziphus spinosa) and Polygala root. It nourishes yin and blood, enriches the heart, and calms the spirit. It is particularly effective for treating insomnia, forgetfulness, palpitations, and anxiety caused by kidney yin deficiency and insufficient heart blood.

4. Qiju Dihuang Pills

Qiju Dihuang Pills are derived from Liuwei Dihuang Pills with added Lycium fruit (Gouqizi) and chrysanthemum flowers. These additions enhance its ability to nourish both the kidneys and liver. Since the liver and kidneys share a common source in TCM theory, nourishing liver yin supports the recovery of kidney yin. This formula is ideal for insomnia caused by kidney yin deficiency associated with upward flare-up of liver fire, especially when accompanied by dry eyes, blurred vision, and other visual disturbances.

5. Jiaotai Pills

Jiaotai Pills contain Coptis rhizome (Huanglian) and cinnamon bark (Rougui), promoting communication between the heart and kidneys. In kidney yin deficiency, heart fire tends to become hyperactive, leading to disharmony between the heart and kidneys and resulting in insomnia. This formula balances the two organs by clearing heart fire and warming kidney yang, thus improving insomnia associated with irritability, cold pain in the lower back and knees, and other related symptoms.

In daily life, it's important to develop healthy habits: avoid staying up late and overexertion, reduce intake of spicy and stimulating foods. Before bedtime, practices such as foot soaking and meditation can help relax the body and mind, minimize emotional fluctuations, and support medication in improving sleep quality.

View All

Does traditional Chinese medicine treat aplastic anemia?

For chronic aplastic anemia, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) generally differentiates the condition within categories such as "deficiency fatigue" (xulao) and "blood deficiency" (xue xu), aiming to improve symptoms by regulating the zang-fu organs and qi-blood balance. Common syndrome patterns include kidney yin deficiency, kidney yang deficiency, and dual deficiency of qi and blood. Corresponding herbal formulas should be selected according to the specific pattern, combined with acupuncture and other therapies, to help alleviate symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, and bleeding tendency, assist in increasing blood cell levels, and reduce side effects associated with Western medical treatments.

View Full Answer

How to regulate heart and kidney yin deficiency

Regulating deficiency of yin in the heart and kidneys should focus on nourishing yin, replenishing the kidneys, and nourishing the heart to calm the spirit. Specific approaches mainly include dietary therapy, herbal medicine, daily lifestyle adjustments, emotional regulation, and moderate exercise. During regulation, it is also important to observe contraindications and precautions, persist in long-term comprehensive management, tailor the plan according to individual constitution, and strictly follow medical advice to ensure safety and effectiveness.

View Full Answer

What Chinese herbs can tonify both kidney yang deficiency and kidney yin deficiency?

Kidney yin and kidney yang are the foundation of the body's yin and yang. Kidney yin deficiency is often accompanied by tidal fever, night sweats, dry mouth, and sore throat, while kidney yang deficiency commonly manifests as aversion to cold, cold limbs, and soreness in the lower back and knees. Some Chinese herbs can regulate both conditions. Patients may use traditional Chinese medicines such as Rehmannia glutinosa tablets, Cornus officinalis flesh, Lycium barbarum granules, Cuscuta chinensis slices, and Polygonum multiflorum tablets under medical guidance. It is important to maintain regular作息 (daily routines), avoid staying up late and overexertion, and incorporate Chinese yam appropriately into the diet.

View Full Answer

What should one with kidney deficiency due to excessive masturbation eat?

"Hand多了" usually refers to excessive masturbation. Kidney deficiency caused by frequent masturbation is mostly kidney yin deficiency, and commonly used regulating medicines include Liuwei Dihuang Pills, Zuogui Pills, etc. Liuwei Dihuang Pills consist of Rehmannia glutinosa, Cornus officinalis, Chinese yam, and other ingredients, and have the fundamental effect of nourishing yin and tonifying the kidneys. They specifically nourish kidney yin and help improve symptoms such as soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, dizziness, tinnitus, tidal fever, and night sweats caused by excessive masturbation.