How can I improve my insomnia that has lasted for more than 20 years?
Mr. Tong, 46 years old
Suffering from insomnia for more than 20 years, he needs to take sleeping pills every night to fall asleep. Now he has a blue complexion, dizziness, irritability, many dreams at night, poor appetite, and a red tongue with a dry white coating. The syndrome is liver and gallbladder heat stagnation, qi stagnation, and heat disturbing the mind. The treatment is to relieve liver heat and regulate qi to achieve a good sleep.
Herbal Prescription
蝉衣 (Periostracum Cicadae / Cicada Slough) 6g
TCM Use: Sedative, relieves night terrors
片姜黄 (Rhizoma Curcumae Longae Slices / Sliced Turmeric) 6g
Active Compound: Curcumin (anti-inflammatory)
柴胡 (Radix Bupleuri / Bupleurum Root) 6g
Key Function: Regulates Liver Qi
黄芩 (Radix Scutellariae / Scutellaria Root) 6g
Modern Research: Neuroprotective (J Ethnopharmacol 2023)
川楝子 (Fructus Toosendan / Sichuan Chinaberry) 6g
Caution: Contains toosendanin (use under supervision)
枳壳 (Fructus Aurantii / Bitter Orange Peel) 6g
Western Equivalent: Citrus aurantium
竹茹 (Caulis Bambusae in Taeniam / Bamboo Shavings) 6g
Preparation: Ginger-processed for warmth
僵蚕 (Bombyx Batryticatus / Silkworm Larva) 10g
Unique: Animal-derived TCM ingredient
焦三仙 (Charred Three Wonders) 10g
水红花子 (Fructus Polygoni Orientalis / Prince’s Feather Fruit) 10g
Alternative Name: Kochia Seed
大黄 (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei / Rhubarb Root) 1g
Dose Note: Minimal amount as purgative
After 3 doses):**
Insomnia symptoms significantly improved, (After 10 doses):**
Achieved natural sleep without hypnotics , (After 30+ doses):**
Sleep normalization with formula adjustments
Insomnia is a symptom that many prescription books blame on the heart, and they usually use drugs such as jujube, cypress seed, albizzia, and night clover to nourish the heart and calm the mind to help sleep. In this case, the patient had insomnia for more than 20 years, and tried all the methods, but none of them worked. This was because the treatment was not appropriate. His insomnia was accompanied by irritability and restlessness, and he had many dreams at night, which was a sign of liver meridian stagnation and heat. His blue face and dizziness were also symptoms of liver disease, and also signs of liver heat.
Therefore, the treatment is to relieve liver heat, regulate qi and seek a good sleep. Shengjiang San is added with Radix Bupleuri, Radix Scutellariae, and Fructus Toosendan to relieve liver heat, and Charred Three Wonders and Fructus Polygoni Orientalis are added to regulate the stomach and intestines. Caulis Bambusae in Taeniam and Fructus Aurantii are added, which is combined with the idea of Wendan Decoction. Therefore, it can be effective after three doses and cured in one month. For insomnia, Mr. Wang often treats it from the liver, using Shengjiang San with additions and subtractions, which is always very effective. The key to his diagnosis is to be irritable, sleepy and dreamy, with a stringy and rapid pulse, and a red tongue. Whenever these pulses and symptoms are seen, they are all caused by liver meridian stagnation and heat, and the treatment is always effective.