Insomnia treatment generally involves making lifestyle changes, but when these changes don’t bring relief from sleeplessness, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) may provide other options for improving sleep quality.
Causes of Sleeplessness From Western and Chinese Perspectives
The causes of insomnia can be varied, but in Western medicine, difficulty falling asleep is often associated with a stressful lifestyle, which can lead to anxiety or depression. Other health issues, especially those which cause pain or are age related, can also contribute to insomnia. Women transitioning through menopause will often experience sleep disorders.
In TCM, sleeplessness is often divided into two basic types: trouble falling asleep and waking often in the night with difficulty falling back to sleep. Each is related to a different Chinese medical assessment, with Heart Yin Deficiency causing frequent reawakening and Heart Blood Deficiency resulting in inability to fall asleep. Often both forms of insomnia are present and treatment is adjusted accordingly.
External factors, such as stress and anxiety are considered in the assessment and appropriate herbs may be considered to address these issues. Diet and lifestyle advice are a crucial aspect of dealing with this aspect of insomnia.
Treatment of Insomnia Based on Traditional Chinese Medical Concepts
There are a variety of foods which Chinese medicine considers good for treatment of insomnia. Oyster shell (mu li), seaweeds (hai zao, kun bu, and hai dai) are considered useful in insomnia relief but they must be harvested from clean waters to reduce the risk of exposure to contaminants.
Some vegetables, such as asparagus, may aid in relieving insomnia. For meat eaters, beef is used to tone both Heart Blood and Heart Yin. Beets are one of the best vegetables to tonify Heart Blood.
Traditional Chinese Medicine has long recognized the value of exercise in restoring and maintaining health. Mindful exercise programs including Tai Qi and Qi Gong are used to calm the spirit. Many people in China begin each day with these practices, performed outdoors to gain the additional benefit of contact with earth and air.
There are also specific Nourish Heart and Calm Spirit herbs and foods used to treat the anxiety and stress-related insomnia symptoms. Reishi mushroom (ling zhi) is one that nourishes heart and calms spirits. Jujube seeds (suan zao ren) and schizandra berries (wu wei zi) are also used regularly in treating insomnia.
Because the causes of sleeplessness vary and there may be long term or deep seated health issues that need addressing, it is recommended that individuals interested in TCM for insomnia work with a TCM practitioner who will be able to customize their care.
Sources:
Wicke, RW PhD. 1994. Traditional Chinese Herbal Science, Vols 1 & 2, 5th Edition. Hot Springs, Montana.Rocky Mountain Herbal Institute
Bensky, D and Gamble, A. 1993. Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, Revised Edition.Seattle, Washington. Eastland Press
Pitchford, P. 2002. Healing With Whole Foods, Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition, Third Edition. Berkeley, California. North Atlantic Books
Dawn M. Smith - A vet nurse, Dawn has worked in wildlife rehabilitation and conservation around the world in addition to her veterinary hospital ...
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