What are the methods of TCM to treat insomnia?

Insomnia is sometimes a symptom but can also be a disease. The main symptom of insomnia is difficulty falling asleep, which has a great impact on people's lives. There are many ways to treat insomnia. Traditional Chinese medicine is also very effective in treating insomnia, and it can be relieved through massage.

1. Deficiency of both heart and spleen

The main symptoms are frequent dreams, easy awakening, palpitations and forgetfulness. Symptoms may also include dizziness, fatigue, loss of appetite, pale complexion, or abdominal distension and poor appetite. Long-term illness damages the spleen and stomach, and the production of qi and blood is deficient. Or for women who have lost a lot of blood after childbirth, the blood cannot nourish the heart, the heart and spleen are deficient, and the spirit is not at home, so they have frequent dreams, are easily startled, forgetful, and have palpitations. Deficiency of Qi and blood causes the marrow to lack nourishment and the clear yang to fail to rise, which will lead to dizziness and vertigo. Blood deficiency cannot nourish the face, so the complexion becomes dull. If the spleen fails to function properly, food will become tasteless. Due to lack of blood and deficiency of qi, one feels listless and tired in the limbs. Treatment should be aimed at nourishing the heart and spleen, replenishing qi and generating blood.

2. Yin deficiency and excessive fire

The main symptoms are restlessness, insomnia, palpitations and uneasiness. Symptoms may also include dizziness, tinnitus, forgetfulness, back pain, nocturnal emissions, fever in the five parts of the body, and dry mouth. Kidney Yin is insufficient and cannot be supplied to the heart, water and fire are not in harmony, heart fire is hyperactive, and the monarch fire rises, disturbing the mind, causing restlessness, insomnia, palpitations, restlessness and forgetfulness. If the Yin fluid cannot flow upward, the mouth will be dry and saliva will be scarce. Yin cannot control Yang, Yin is deficient and fire is excessive, so there will be heat in the five hearts. Kidney yin is deficient, the marrow sea is not nourished, and the fire of the liver is agitated, resulting in dizziness and tinnitus. Deficiency of kidney essence and looseness of the sperm gate lead to nocturnal emission. The waist is the home of the kidneys. If the kidney yin is deficient, the waist will not be nourished, resulting in lower back pain. Treatment should be aimed at nourishing yin and reducing fire, nourishing the heart and calming the mind.

3. Deficiency of Heart and Gallbladder Qi

The main symptoms are insomnia, frequent dreams, and easy awakening. Symptoms may also include being easily startled, having palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, clear and long urination, or insomnia due to weakness, weight loss, pale complexion, easy fatigue, or insomnia, palpitations, dizziness, and dry mouth and throat. Overwork, illness, excessive joy, excessive sweating, etc. can deplete the heart qi, or children, the elderly and the weak who are suddenly frightened can cause the courage qi to leak out, resulting in deficiency of heart and gallbladder qi, dispersion of heart qi, malnutrition of the mind, and insomnia due to lack of way to calm the mind. The heart qi is insufficient, so symptoms include restlessness, insomnia, palpitations, frequent dreams, shortness of breath and fatigue. He is timid and cowardly, and lacks the power to make decisions, so he is easily frightened and wakes up easily. He is timid and easily frightened and angry when encountering things. Deficiency of blood and yin leads to the stagnation of body fluids, so the patient has a pale complexion, dry mouth and throat, and dizziness. This syndrome is caused by poor blood circulation or loss of vital energy over a long period of time, and may be combined with blood stasis. The treatment is to invigorate Qi, calm the nerves, and soothe the mind.