Under the influence of the fast pace of modern life, more and more people are facing sleep problems. Sometimes, we struggle to fall asleep or find it hard to sleep soundly, which can be caused by various factors. Among them, excess heart fire and liver qi stagnation are two common reasons. Fortunately, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a range of methods to help improve sleep with ease.
Firstly, Excess Heart Fire
Excess heart fire is a common cause of insomnia. When individuals experience high levels of stress, depression, and anxiety, or consume excessive spicy and greasy foods, it can lead to excess heart fire. People with excess heart fire often feel restless, have a dry mouth, and a red complexion, and find it difficult to fall asleep.
To address insomnia caused by excess heart fire, TCM recommends adopting the “clear the heart, lower the fire, calm the spirit, and settle the mind” approach. Here’s how it can be achieved:
1. Dietary Regulation
Individuals with excess heart fire should consume a moderate amount of easily digestible, light foods, such as mung beans, lily bulbs, lotus seeds, celery, and bitter gourd. At the same time, they should avoid spicy, stimulating, and greasy foods to prevent worsening excess heart fire.
2. Herbal Medicine
TCM offers a variety of herbs with the properties of clearing the heart, lowering fire, calming the spirit, and settling the mind. Examples include coptis, the heart of lotus seeds, gardenia, poria, and yuan zhi. The selection and treatment should be performed under the guidance of a healthcare professional, taking individual conditions into account.
3. Acupuncture and Acupressure
Acupuncture is a commonly used TCM method to reduce excess heart fire and improve sleep by stimulating specific acupoints.
Next, Liver Qi Stagnation
Liver qi stagnation is another common cause of insomnia. When individuals experience mental stress, emotional fluctuations, and excessive pressure, it can lead to liver qi stagnation, resulting in symptoms such as moodiness, irritability, insomnia with vivid dreams, headaches, and red eyes.
For insomnia caused by liver qi stagnation, TCM recommends adopting the “smooth the liver, relieve stagnation, calm the spirit, and settle the mind” approach. For instance:
1. Emotion Regulation
People with liver qi stagnation should learn to regulate their emotions and avoid emotional fluctuations as much as possible. Self-regulation methods, such as deep breathing, quiet meditation, and practicing yoga, can help alleviate stress and relax the mind and body.
2. Herbal Medicine
TCM provides various herbal options, such as bupleurum, oyster shell, dragon bone, and mimosa bark, known for their abilities to soothe the liver, relieve stagnation, calm the spirit, and settle the mind. It is advisable to use them under professional guidance to avoid unnecessary side effects.
3. Acupuncture and Acupressure
Acupuncture, by stimulating relevant acupoints, can relieve liver qi stagnation and calm the spirit. It can be complemented by cupping therapy, acupressure, and other TCM treatment methods for comprehensive adjustment.
Apart from the two aforementioned causes, other factors can lead to insomnia, such as spleen and stomach disharmony, kidney deficiency, and more. For different causes, TCM offers many regulation methods to help improve sleep. Furthermore, TCM emphasizes personalized treatments, formulating suitable regulation plans based on individual circumstances.
During the process of regulating insomnia, pay attention to the following:
1. Establish Healthy Sleep Habits
Cultivate and maintain a regular sleep schedule, avoid staying up late and overexertion, and steer clear of overly stimulating activities or alcohol consumption before bedtime.
2. Create a Comfortable Sleep Environment
Maintain a quiet, comfortable, well-ventilated room with suitable room temperature and clean bedding to enhance sleep quality.
3. Emotional Adjustment
Learn self-regulation of emotions and avoid emotional swings and excessive stress. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and meditation can help relieve stress.
4. Dietary Regulation
Diet can have an impact on sleep. Avoid going to bed hungry or overly full, and try to quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption before sleep.
If you have been struggling with sleep problems for an extended period, you may consider trying TCM regulation methods to alleviate insomnia and enhance sleep quality. Only by maintaining good sleep can we have a healthy body and abundant energy.