Herbs for Better Sleep

Chinese Herbs for Better Sleep

In Chinese medicine, insomnia is not considered a single disorder with a single remedy. Difficulty falling asleep, frequent waking, vivid dreams and waking too early may arise from very different underlying patterns. Herbal treatment is therefore selected according to the cause of the sleep disturbance.

Some cases of insomnia are associated with deficiency. Blood or Yin may be insufficient to nourish and calm the Heart and spirit. People with these patterns may feel tired but unable to sleep, experience anxiety or palpitations, awaken frequently, or have persistent sleep problems that gradually developed over many months or years.

Dr. Shen’s Good Sleep and No Worries Pills are an example of a formula intended for long-term insomnia and anxiety associated with Heart Blood deficiency. Rather than simply making a person sleepy, this type of formula is traditionally used to nourish the deficiency that may be contributing to ongoing restlessness and poor sleep.

Other sleep problems arise from excess patterns. Excitement, fear, frustration, anger, emotional shocks and unresolved life problems can agitate the mind and prevent it from settling at night. Some people feel mentally overstimulated, tense or irritable. Others continually replay worries and conversations when they should be sleeping.

For acute episodes, a practitioner may consider a more directly calming or sedating formula. Examples include An Mian Pian, formulas containing calming substances such as Suan Zao Ren, Ye Jiao Teng, Long Gu or Mu Li, and formulas such as Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang for certain patterns of agitation, fear and emotional tension. Wen Dan Tang or Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang may be considered when restlessness is accompanied by digestive congestion, phlegm or heat. The correct choice depends on the person’s complete pattern rather than the symptom of insomnia alone. Traditionally, commonly used insomnia formulas have included Suan Zao Ren Tang, Wen Dan Tang, Ban Xia Shu Mi Tang and Gui Pi Tang.

Research suggests that formulas containing Suan Zao Ren may improve short-term, patient-reported sleep quality, although the available studies vary in quality and stronger clinical trials are still needed.

Chinese sleep formulas should be selected carefully, so persistent insomnia should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional.

SAVE NOW