Searching for “Insomnia”

茯神 · fú shén · Poria cum Radix Pini

Calms the Shen (spirit), strengthens the Spleen, promotes urination. Specifically used when insomnia has an anxiety/restlessness component.

合欢皮 · hé huān pí · Albizia julibrissin

Calms the Shen, resolves depression, harmonizes the Blood, reduces swelling. Used for insomnia caused by emotional distress.

酸枣仁 · suān zǎo rén · Ziziphi Spinosae Semen

Nourishes Heart Blood, calms the Shen (spirit), arrests sweating. Primary herb for insomnia.

归脾汤

A classic formula for insomnia due to Heart and Spleen Deficiency. Tonifies Qi, nourishes Blood, and calms the Shen. Particularly suited for patients with fatigue, poor appetite, and sleep disturbance.

酸枣仁汤

A classic formula from Jin Gui Yao Lue for insomnia due to Liver Blood Deficiency with internal Heat. Nourishes the Liver, calms the spirit, and clears deficiency Heat. One of the most widely used TCM formulas for sleep disorders.

天王补心丹

A classic formula for insomnia due to Heart Yin Deficiency with internal Heat. Nourishes Yin, enriches the Blood, tonifies the Heart, and calms the Shen. One of the most comprehensive Heart-nourishing formulas in TCM.

入睡困难

Sleep onset insomnia characterized by taking more than 30 minutes to fall asleep despite adequate opportunity. Often accompanied by racing thoughts, anxiety, or hyperarousal at bedtime.

失眠

Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by persistent difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or achieving restorative sleep, occurring at least three nights per week for at least three months (chronic insomnia). It results in significant daytime impairment including fatigue, mood disturbance, and cognitive difficulties.

焦虑症

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions, characterized by excessive worry, fear, and physiological arousal. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) affects 3-6% of the population. Anxiety and insomnia have a bidirectional relationship — anxiety causes insomnia, and sleep loss worsens anxiety.

失眠症

Insomnia disorder is diagnosed when sleep difficulties occur at least 3 nights per week for at least 3 months, causing significant distress or daytime impairment. It affects 10-30% of the population, with higher rates in women, older adults, and those with medical or psychiatric comorbidities. First-line treatment is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I).

压力性睡眠障碍

Stress-related sleep difficulty is characterized by transient or situational insomnia directly triggered by identifiable stressors (work, relationships, life events). Unlike primary insomnia, it resolves when the stressor is removed, but can become chronic if stress persists or maladaptive sleep behaviors develop.

心血虚

The Heart lacks sufficient Blood to properly anchor the Shen (spirit). Without adequate Blood, the Shen becomes unmoored and cannot settle, resulting in insomnia with palpitations and anxiety. This pattern often overlaps with Spleen Deficiency (the Spleen generates Blood).

心火亢盛

Excess Heat in the Heart disturbs the Shen, causing extreme restlessness and agitated insomnia. The Shen is the most directly affected by Heart Fire — this is the most acute and severe sleep pattern in TCM. May arise from emotional trauma, prolonged Liver Qi Stagnation turning to Fire, or Yin Deficiency with rising Fire.

肝气郁结

The Liver's function of ensuring smooth Qi flow is impaired, usually due to emotional stress, frustration, or repressed anger. The obstructed Qi disturbs the Shen, causing insomnia with irritability. This pattern commonly overlaps with Spleen involvement (Liver invading Spleen).

脾气虚

The Spleen's function of transforming food into Qi and Blood is weakened. Since the Spleen generates Blood that nourishes the Heart, chronic Spleen Deficiency leads to Heart Blood Deficiency and insomnia. Patients typically have fatigue and digestive symptoms alongside sleep problems.

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of Kami Guibi-tang (KGT), a traditional Eastern herbal medicine based on Gui Pi Tang, in treating older adults with insomnia. The study demonstrated that KGT is beneficial for sleep and cognitive health in elderly patients.

This systematic review assessed the available evidence of Chinese herbal formulae containing Suanzaoren (FSZR) for insomnia. Analysis of clinical trials showed that FSZR is associated with short-term patient-reported sleep quality improvements among individuals with insomnia. The sedative-hypnotic effects are primarily mediated through GABAergic and serotonergic systems.

This meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan (TWBXD) for treating insomnia. The review found that TWBXD showed promising efficacy for insomnia, though methodological quality of included studies was limited. TWBXD appeared generally safe with no serious adverse events reported.

Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen) has clinically demonstrated sedative-hypnotic effects through GABAergic and serotonergic system modulation. A systematic review of clinical trials confirmed short-term sleep quality improvements. In TCM, it nourishes Heart and Liver Blood to calm the Shen (spirit), making it effective for insomnia with irritability and palpitations.

Suan Zao Ren Tang traditionally addresses Liver Blood Deficiency with internal Heat, commonly associated with irritability-predominant insomnia and night sweats. Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan traditionally addresses Heart Yin Deficiency, commonly associated with palpitations, mental restlessness, and dry mouth. This comparison describes traditional formula contexts and does not determine which formula is appropriate for an individual.