Insomnia from the Perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Why Can't You Sleep?

Insomnia in Chinese Medicine

Insomnia (失眠) is one of the most common complaints. Chinese medicine does not give a sleeping pill; instead, it identifies the cause and treats it.

Types of Insomnia

1. Heart-Liver Fire Insomnia (心肝火旺)

Symptoms:

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Many dreams, easy awakening
• Nervousness, irritability
• Facial redness, thirst
• Tongue: red, especially the tip

Cause: Stress, anger, psychological pressure

Treatment:

• Point HT7 (Shenmen) + LR3 (Taichong)
• Hibiscus or lemon verbena tea
• Avoid coffee after noon

2. Heart-Spleen Deficiency Insomnia (心脾两虚)

Symptoms:

• Difficulty falling asleep + frequent awakening
• Daytime fatigue, poor appetite
• Palpitations, forgetfulness
• Pallor
• Tongue: pale

Cause: Mental exhaustion, excessive thinking, poor diet

Treatment:

• Point HT7 + SP6 + ST36
• Danggui soup (Dong Gui + dates)
• Mental rest, nutritious diet

3. Heart-Kidney Disharmony Insomnia (心肾不交)

Symptoms:

• Waking at midnight with no return to sleep
• Night sweats
• Palpitations, anxiety
• Heat in the palms and soles
• Tongue: red with little coating

Cause: Chronic exhaustion, aging, prolonged illness

Treatment:

• Point KI3 (Taixi) + HT7 (Shenmen)
• Soaking the feet in warm water before sleep
• Black foods (black dates, black beans)

4. Phlegm-Heat Harassing the Heart Insomnia (痰热扰心)

Symptoms:

• Disturbed sleep, distressing dreams
• Oppression in the chest
• Bitter taste in the mouth, phlegm
• Tongue: red with a yellow, greasy coating

Cause: Fatty foods, alcohol, stress

Treatment:

• Point PC6 (Neiguan) + ST40 (Fenglong)
• Hibiscus tea + brown rice
• Avoid late and heavy dinner

5. Heart-Gallbladder Qi Deficiency Insomnia (心胆气虚)

Symptoms:

• Fear of sleeping alone
• Waking with fright
• Rapid palpitations
• Hesitation, constant anxiety

Cause: Shock, fear, psychological pressure

Treatment:

• Point GB40 (Qiuxu) + HT7
• Meditation and reassurance before sleep

The Chinese Biological Clock

💤 Golden Tip: If you wake repeatedly between 1-3 AM, your problem is in the liver. Review your suppressed anger and press point LR3 before sleep.