How does traditional Chinese medicine believe insomnia is caused

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that insomnia is often caused by factors such as emotional disorders, irregular diet, loss of balance between work and rest, deficiency of qi and blood, and dysfunction of organs, and is closely related to organs such as the heart, liver, spleen, and kidneys.

1. Emotional disorders

Long term depression, anger, or excessive thinking can lead to liver qi stagnation and disturbance of the mind. Liver depression can manifest as difficulty falling asleep, frequent dreaming and easy awakening, often accompanied by symptoms such as bitter mouth, dry throat, dizziness, and red eyes. This type of patient needs to maintain a comfortable mood and can be adjusted with Xiaoyao Pill.

2. Irregular diet

Overeating spicy, fatty, and sweet foods or overeating at night can lead to phlegm and heat, and discomfort in the stomach. Manifested as tossing and turning, bloating in the epigastric region, and often with thick and greasy tongue coating. It is recommended to have a light dinner and use Banxia Fumi Tang to balance the spleen and stomach.

3. Loss of work and rest

Excessive fatigue can damage qi and blood, or prolonged sitting and lack of movement can lead to poor qi circulation. Commonly seen in mental workers, it manifests as easy awakening from light sleep and fatigue after waking up. To balance work and rest, one can practice guiding techniques such as Eight Section Brocade to regulate the air flow.

4. Deficiency of Qi and Blood

Elderly, weak, or chronically ill individuals are prone to heart and spleen deficiency, manifested as insufficient sleep, difficulty in returning to sleep early, accompanied by pale complexion, palpitations, and forgetfulness. Formulas such as Guipi Tang can strengthen the spleen and nourish the heart, but excessive thinking should be avoided.

5. Disorders of visceral function

Patients with heart kidney dysfunction caused by insufficient kidney yin often experience hot flashes, night sweats, and restlessness of the five hearts; Patients with liver yang hyperactivity often have headaches and dizziness. The former can use coptis ass hide glue soup to nourish yin and reduce fire, while the latter should drink gastrodia elata and uncaria elata to calm the liver and suppress yang.

It is important to maintain a regular daily routine, such as soaking feet in hot water or massaging the Yongquan acupoint before bedtime. Avoid drinking strong tea and coffee before bedtime, and the bedroom environment should be quiet and dark. Those who suffer from long-term insomnia or severe symptoms need to seek medical advice in a timely manner, cooperate with traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion and other comprehensive treatments under the guidance of doctors, and should not abuse sedative drugs on their own.