Insomnia is a relatively common disease. It is mainly caused by psychological influence or excessive mental stress. It may also be caused by diseases. Long-term insomnia can cause great harm to health, so it needs timely treatment. Recovery, then how does Chinese medicine treat insomnia? What are some ways to relieve insomnia? Let’s learn more about the methods of treating insomnia in traditional Chinese medicine.
1. Traditional Chinese Medicine for insomnia
1. Regulate the five internal organs
Some scholars believe that insomnia mainly manifests in the liver, affects the five internal organs, and takes into account the physical diseases of the five internal organs. . He advocated a holistic view that "all five internal organs have insomnia", and developed a syndrome and treatment system based on treating the liver, taking other organs into consideration, and adding and subtracting syndromes based on syndrome differentiation. Based on this, he formulated a syndrome and treatment plan for insomnia.
2. Bringing fire back to its roots, and the heart and kidneys intersecting
This theory of traditional Chinese medicine believes that insomnia is caused by fire not returning to its roots, and the treatment plan ultimately needs to return to the principle of "drawing fire back to its roots, and the heart and kidneys intersecting." When the problem arises, insomnia is divided into five types: liver qi stagnation type, kidney essence deficiency type, heart fire type, meridians stasis type, phlegm-dampness block type, and treatment is based on syndrome differentiation.
3. Regulate emotions
Mental emotions are closely related to insomnia, so insomnia can be divided into troublesome, suspicious, nervous and depressive types, and heat-clearing and purgative medicines are used respectively. It can be treated by methods such as nourishing yin and clearing heat, regulating qi and relieving stagnation, clearing the heart and calming the mind, and harmonizing the liver and spleen, etc., and has achieved good results.
4. Follow the circadian rhythm
Human sleep is a physiological activity with circadian rhythm, and insomnia is the result of this normal sleep-wake rhythm disorder. Following this rule, Chinese medicine scholars have proposed treatment programs for insomnia that are tailored to the current conditions.
5. Regulate the liver and spleen
This theory of traditional Chinese medicine believes that many causes and pathogenesis of insomnia are related to imbalance of the liver and spleen. The choice of methods and prescriptions for treating insomnia should be based on On the basis of syndrome differentiation and treatment, attention should be paid to regulating the liver and spleen.
Traditional Chinese medicine has always been inherited in China, so the effect of treating insomnia is good. It may take a little longer than Western medicine, but the side effects are very small. Some Western medicine cures insomnia after treatment. You will still have insomnia for a period of time, but it can be eliminated through treatment with traditional Chinese medicine.
2. Methods to relieve insomnia
1. Moderate physical exercise during the day can help you fall asleep at night.
2. Exercise for 1 hour after meals in the evening, and then take a hot bath or soak in traditional Chinese medicine for 1 hour.
3. Massage, body massage, foot massage, and head massage before going to bed can fully relax you.
4. Qigong and breath regulation, read relevant books, practice meditation, and meditate through certain methods to make your thinking less complicated.
5. Self-regulation and self-suggestion. You can play some relaxing activities, or you can count repeatedly. Sometimes a little relaxation can help you fall asleep faster.
6. Develop good sleep hygiene habits, such as keeping the bedroom clean, quiet, away from noise, light stimulation, etc.; avoid drinking tea, alcohol, etc. before going to bed.
7. Limit sleep time during the day. Except for the elderly who can take a nap or nap during the day, naps or naps should be avoided, otherwise they will reduce drowsiness and sleep time at night.
8. There are many reasons for insomnia. In addition to the above methods, you can also treat insomnia by eating before going to bed, such as eating some foods that can help you sleep. Here are 6 recommended foods that can help you fall asleep for your reference.
(1) Walnuts. Clinically, walnuts have been proven to improve sleep quality, so they are often used to treat symptoms such as neurasthenia, insomnia, forgetfulness, and dreaminess. The specific way to eat it is to mix it with black sesame seeds, pound them into a paste, and take 15 grams before going to bed. The effect is very obvious.
(2) Jujube, the flavonoid-bis-glucoside A contained in it has sedative, hypnotic and antihypertensive effects, so jujube is often used to treat neurasthenia, and can replenish qi, calm the nerves, and nourish blood. Therefore, for some people who are weak, neurasthenic and suffer from insomnia, eating jujube regularly is very beneficial to the body.
(3) Millet, millet contains a large amount of tryptophan. Every 100 grams of millet contains 202 mg of tryptophan, which is incomparable to other cereals. Tryptophan can prompt brain nerves to secrete serotonin, which makes people sleepy, temporarily inhibiting brain nerve activity, making people feel sleepy.
(4) Milk is an ideal food for treating insomnia. Milk contains sufficient calcium and lactic acid, which promotes the flow of calcium in the blood to the sleep center. When a certain amount of calcium is stored in the sleep center, drowsiness will occur. In addition, milk also contains tryptophan, which can make people feel sleepy and promote sleep.
(5) Longan is rich in glucose, sucrose, vitamins and other substances, which can nourish nerves and brain tissue, thereby adjusting cerebral cortex function and improving insomnia, amnesia, etc. Add 4 to 6 longan, a little bit of lotus seeds and gorgon seeds, add water to make a soup and drink it before going to bed. Or brew 4 to 6 longan in boiling water and drink it before going to bed, which can effectively relieve insomnia.
(6) Pig heart. Generally speaking, animal heart is used to regulate symptoms such as palpitations, panic, insomnia, forgetfulness and other symptoms in the human body, and has good effects. The most commonly used one is pig heart. The protein content of pig heart is twice that of pork, and the fat content is only one-tenth of pork.
Moreover, pig heart also contains more calcium, phosphorus, iron and other ingredients, which can strengthen myocardial nutrition, nourish the heart and blood, and treat symptoms such as panic and insomnia.