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Insomnia, a seemingly simple phenomenon, actually encompasses multiple factors related to the body, mind, and society. It is not only about a fatigued body but also involves the hidden psyche. According to TCM theory, sleep is the result of the interplay between Yin and Yang. When there is an imbalance, “Yang” cannot smoothly enter “Yin,” or “Yin” cannot contain “Yang,” leading to the onset of insomnia. Therefore, harmonizing Yin and Yang, allowing them to coexist in harmony, becomes the core method of TCM in treating insomnia.
For elderly patients with insomnia, nourishing Yin is crucial.
Why does the imbalance of Yin and Yang occur? For many middle-aged and elderly patients with insomnia, their main issue is often due to insufficient Yin blood. This is especially evident in some menopausal women. Due to the deficiency of Yin fluids, they cannot contain Yang energy, causing Yang to float outside the body, leading to an inability for Yin and Yang to coexist harmoniously. This primarily manifests as difficulty falling asleep at night, poor sleep quality, frequent dreams, and difficulty returning to sleep after waking.
To resolve this insomnia issue, the key lies in nourishing Yin and replenishing blood. Only when Yin fluids are sufficient can Yang energy be effectively contained. On this basis, we can add some calming herbs to help Yang energy quickly return to Yin fluids, achieving harmonious coexistence of Yin and Yang. As a result, sleep quality will naturally improve.
In traditional Chinese medicine, there are several commonly used Yin-nourishing herbs, such as Shudi Huang (Rehmannia Root), Shanzhuyu (Cornus Fruit), Suanzaoren (Sour Jujube Seed), Baiziren (Platycladus Seed), and Baihe (Lily Bulb). Calming herbs include Sheng Longgu (Raw Dragon Bone), Sheng Muli (Raw Oyster Shell), and Zhenzhu Mu (Mother of Pearl). The application of these herbs can help patients adjust the balance of Yin and Yang and improve insomnia symptoms.
Today, the market is flooded with various Western medications for sleep, which are widely popular due to their strong sedative effects. However, relying excessively on sedatives does not cure the problem of insomnia and may instead lead to bodily deficiency. This is akin to treating the symptoms without addressing the root cause, merely alleviating superficial symptoms while ignoring the fundamental reasons for insomnia. Therefore, choosing the right sleep aid is crucial; one should not blindly follow trends but focus on overall health.
For young people, insomnia is primarily about clearing Liver Fire.
In the depths of night, insomnia is like an invisible poem, troubling the young souls. Unlike the insomnia of the elderly, it is more a mark of external pressures from life and work. These pressures act like a heavy millstone, affecting the liver’s ability to regulate, causing Liver Qi stagnation, which over time transforms into heat. This Liver Fire, like wild grass spreading, disturbs the mind, making it restless and preventing peaceful sleep in the quiet night.
Their insomnia has a unique rhythm. It often occurs between 1-3 AM, as if out of sync with nature’s rhythm, leading to easy awakenings. This is the time when the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian is most active, and Liver Qi is at its peak, like a storm, easily disturbing the mind. Nighttime awakenings are the melody of their insomnia, filled with anxiety and unrest. Of course, excessive Liver Qi and Yang exuberance can also lead to difficulty falling asleep for some individuals. For this type of insomnia, the primary treatment task is to clear Liver Fire. Only by reducing Liver Fire can the mind find peace. At this time, calming herbs may be effective, but only clearing Liver Fire can achieve a fundamental cure. Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San (Dan Zhi Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) acts like a gentle breeze, calming Liver Fire, and when combined with Ban Xia (Pinellia), Xia Ku Cao (Selfheal), and Ye Jiao Teng (Polygala), it helps to harmonize Yin and Yang, promoting sleep and calming the mind, with significant efficacy. Overall, insomnia is a difficult-to-express suffering, and the treatment process is also full of twists and turns. However, when we understand and grasp it from the perspective of Yin and Yang, it seems we have found a clear path to peaceful sleep. This path may be winding, but with determination and patience, one will eventually find their own tranquility.
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