A 38-year-old female has difficulty falling asleep at night, accompanied by symptoms of spleen, stomach, and kidney deficiency, seeking TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) regulation methods.
Disease description:
Recently, I have had difficulty falling asleep at night, poor sleep quality, and feel lethargic during the day. I also experience physical weakness, fatigue, poor appetite, indigestion, cold hands and feet, and soreness in the lower back and knees. Could these symptoms indicate weakness in the functions of the spleen, stomach, and kidneys? I would like to improve these conditions through traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) regulation.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
It may be related to liver qi stagnation with spleen deficiency and insufficient kidney yang. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the liver governs free coursing and is responsible for regulating the flow of qi; liver qi stagnation can lead to mental restlessness and affect sleep. The spleen governs transformation and transportation, while the kidney stores essence. Dysfunction of the spleen, stomach, and kidney can impact digestion, absorption, and the generation of essential qi and blood, thereby leading to various deficiency symptoms.
For difficulty falling asleep, blood-nourishing and tranquilizing herbs such as Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (Suanzaoren), Polygoni Multiflori Caulis (Yejiaoteng), and Albizziae Cortex (Hehuanpi) can be used. For those with a weak spleen and stomach, spleen-strengthening and stomach-benefiting herbs such as Codonopsis Radix (Dangshen), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu), and Dioscoreae Rhizoma (Shanyao) may be selected to enhance spleen and stomach function. For kidney qi deficiency, kidney-tonifying and essence-consolidating herbs such as Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Heifuzi), Cinnamomi Cortex (Rougui), and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (Shudihuang) can be taken to nourish kidney qi.
Acupuncture at specific points such as Neiguan (PC6), Shenmen (HT7), and Sanyinjiao (SP6), under a physician's guidance, can also promote blood circulation, relieve muscle tension, and help induce sleep more quickly.
It is recommended to undergo comprehensive regulation under the guidance of a qualified TCM practitioner.
