What is the traditional Chinese medicine treatment for insomnia?
Disease description:
I have been suffering from severe insomnia recently, and I strongly believe in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), thinking that TCM treatment may be more effective. What are the TCM treatments for insomnia?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Lv Zhiqin
There are various TCM treatment methods for insomnia, which can primarily be summarized as follows:
1. Heart and Spleen Deficiency Pattern: Characterized by symptoms such as palpitations, forgetfulness, pallor, and weakness in the limbs. Treatment focuses on nourishing the heart and spleen, and calming the mind with blood-nourishing methods. Commonly used prescriptions include modified Guipi Tang.
2. Liver Fire Flaring Up Pattern: Symptoms include irritability, anger, flushed face, red eyes, bitter taste, and dry throat. The treatment emphasizes clearing liver fire and subduing hyperactive liver yang. Prescriptions such as Longdan Xiegan Tang may be selected.
3. Heart-Kidney Disconnection Pattern: Commonly seen in elderly patients, this pattern presents with symptoms including mental restlessness with insomnia, soreness and weakness of the waist and knees, and tinnitus. The treatment principle is nourishing yin to reduce fire, and harmonizing heart and kidney functions. Commonly used prescriptions include Liuwei Dihuang Wan combined with Jiaotai Wan.
4. Gallbladder Heat Disturbing the Heart Pattern: Characterized by palpitations, timidity, insomnia with vivid dreams, bitter taste, and dry throat. Treatment focuses on clearing heat from the gallbladder, calming the heart, and stabilizing the mind. Prescriptions such as Wendan Tang may be selected.
5. Internal Disturbance due to Phlegm-Heat Pattern: Symptoms include chest tightness, epigastric fullness, belching, acid regurgitation, nausea, and vomiting. The treatment principle involves clearing heat, resolving phlegm, harmonizing the stomach, and calming the mind. Commonly used prescriptions include Huanglian Wendan Tang.
