What is the classification of insomnia in traditional Chinese medicine

Insomnia in traditional Chinese medicine is mainly divided into five syndrome types: liver depression and fire transformation type, phlegm heat internal disturbance type, yin deficiency and fire hyperactivity type, heart and spleen deficiency type, and heart and gallbladder qi deficiency type.

1. Liver Stagnation and Fire Transformation Type

Liver Stagnation and Fire Transformation Type Insomnia is often caused by poor emotions leading to liver qi stagnation, and prolonged stagnation and fire transformation can disturb the mind and spirit. Patients often have difficulty falling asleep, frequent dreams and easy awakening, accompanied by symptoms such as bitter mouth and dry throat, dizziness, red eyes, and rib pain. The treatment requires soothing the liver, purging fire and calming the nerves. Common prescriptions such as Longdan Xiegan Decoction, traditional Chinese patent medicines and simple preparations can choose Jieyu Anshen Granule, Shugan Jieyu Capsule, etc. In daily life, one should avoid emotional excitement and drink chrysanthemum and cassia seed tea to assist in regulation.

2. Phlegm heat internal disturbance type

Phlegm heat internal disturbance type insomnia is often caused by irregular diet or spleen dysfunction, leading to stagnation of phlegm dampness and heat dissipation. Typical symptoms include shallow sleep, easy awakening, chest tightness, abdominal distension, phlegm accumulation, sticky mouth, and yellow and greasy tongue coating. The treatment should clear away heat, transform phlegm and calm down nerves, and the representative prescription Wendan Decoction is applicable to traditional Chinese patent medicines and simple preparations such as Mengshi Guntan Pill, Anshen Wendan Pill, etc. Diet should avoid fatty, sweet, and rich flavors. It is recommended to consume moderate amounts of phlegm reducing ingredients such as white radish and coix seed.

Thirdly, Yin deficiency and fire excess type

Yin deficiency and fire excess type insomnia is more common in patients with chronic physical deficiency or excessive fatigue, with insufficient Yin fluid and internal deficiency of fire. The characteristics include difficulty sleeping again after waking up early, restlessness and heat in the five hearts, night sweats, red cheekbones, and red tongue with little coating. The treatment is to nourish yin and reduce fire. The classic prescription is Huanglian ass hide glue Decoction, and traditional Chinese patent medicines and simple preparations such as Tianwang Buxin Pill, Zhibai Dihuang Pill, etc. It is recommended to avoid staying up late and damaging the yin, and to consume nourishing foods such as Tremella and Lily Soup.

Fourth, Heart and Spleen Deficiency Type

Heart and Spleen Deficiency Type Insomnia is caused by excessive thinking or fatigue in diet, which damages the heart and spleen and leads to insufficient Qi and blood biochemistry. Manifested as mild sleep, fatigue upon waking up, palpitations, forgetfulness, loss of appetite, and pale complexion. The treatment needs to invigorate the heart and spleen. Guipi Decoction is the representative prescription. traditional Chinese patent medicines and simple preparations such as ginseng Guipi Pill, cypress seed Yangxin Pill, etc. You can eat red dates, millet porridge and other spleen and heart nourishing foods in daily life, and cooperate with acupoint massage to improve qi and blood.

Fifth, Heart Gallbladder Qi Deficiency

Heart Gallbladder Qi Deficiency Insomnia is often caused by physical weakness or sudden fright. It is common to experience frequent startles, frequent dreams, timidity, palpitations, waking up at the slightest sound, accompanied by shortness of breath and sweating. The method of treatment is suitable for invigorating qi and calming nerves. The representative prescription is Anshen Dingzhi Pill. traditional Chinese patent medicines and simple preparations such as Amber Baolong Pill and Cinnabar Anshen Pill are applicable. You can use jujube seeds soaked in water before bedtime to avoid watching thrilling and stimulating content. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment for insomnia requires differentiation of symptoms and treatment. Different types of insomnia have different dietary taboos and preferences. Avoid spicy and hot foods for liver stagnation and fire transformation type, avoid warm and nourishing foods for yin deficiency and fire hyperactivity type, and control greasy diet for phlegm heat internal disturbance type. It is recommended that insomnia patients maintain a regular sleep routine. Before going to bed, they can soak their feet in 40 ℃ warm water for 20 minutes, combined with massaging acupoints such as Yongquan and Shenmen to aid sleep. If the symptoms persist for more than one month or are accompanied by severe daytime dysfunction, it is necessary to promptly seek medical attention from a traditional Chinese medicine department for systematic adjustment.