All Posts tagged insomnia

Facts About Sleep

Many people think that sleep is a passive and unchanging process. In fact, the physical body rests during sleep, but the brain remains active. There are two basic states of sleep, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, which the brain organizes in a regular and…

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TCM References for Sleep

Wang Yuchuan (editor-in-chief), Health Maintenance in Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Science & Technology Publishing House, 2004. Beijing University of TCM (edited), Traditional Chinese Internal Medicine, Academy Press, 2000. Wang Kungen (editor-in-chief), TCM Management on Insomnia, People”s Medical Publishing House, 2000. Wang Weiheng et al (editor-in-chief), 500 Questions on TCM External Remedies,…

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Chinese Porridge

Chinese porridge or congee is a thick soup that made from grain. There are various ways of making and serving congee, and no special skill is required. Congee can be sweet or salty, thick or thin, with many or few ingredients, it all depends on your own preference. Congees have…

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Chinese Herbal Teas

Enjoying tea is an integral part of Chinese life, and drinking herbal tea is also a popular yet affordable way for ordinary people to relieve common ailments. Depending on what causes your sleep problem, a specific tea should be able to help you. For example, for a restless mind unable to sleep,…

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Eating Right to Promote Sleep

Insomnia can occur for many reasons, including stress, health problems and change of lifestyle. A well-balanced diet helps the body function well, makes you fall asleep faster and deeper. Some foods promote sleep, while others may affect the sleep pattern. If you are having a trouble sleeping, you need to…

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Proprietary Chinese Medicine

Sleep is necessary for people of all ages to attain good physical, mental and emotional health. However, 24-hour communication, shift work, travelling and irregular working hours are more and more interfering us from sleep. People usually only admit to having a sleeping problem when it really disrupts their lives. By…

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Chinese Qigong Practices

Chinese qigong involves posture / movements (also known as form or frame), breathing techniques and mental focus, which is practiced to integrate and cleanse the body, mind and spirit. Constant practice helps to promote health, prevent disease and develop personal potential. Through the use of specific postures, proper breathing and/or mental…

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Massage Techniques

Everyday we face challenges that keep our mind too active at bedtime, preventing us from getting to sleep. Stress-reduction strategies are a good way to create a relaxing bedtime routine, so as to help the body unwind and encourage restful sleep. Chinese massage is mainly based on theories dealing with the organs and meridians.…

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External Herbal Remedies

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, our body consists of a giant web called the meridian system that distributes the fundamental substances over the body. Along the channels, acupoints are the sites where the qi of the organs and meridians infuse onto the body surface, and simulating these points help regulate the corresponding organs or meridians and promote…

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Auricular Therapy

Insomnia can be viewed as a disturbance of the brain that is overly stimulated by stress, environment, medication and other health problems. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), insomnia belongs to a  disorder which is attributed to various organ disharmonies. The ears are not just isolated hearing organs; they are closely connected with…

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deficiencies of the heart and gallbladder

Sleep pattern: dream-disturbed sleep, sudden awakening due to fear. Accompanying signs: timidity, palpitations, being easily frightened, breath shortness, low spirits, fatigue, perspire easily, clear and profuse urine. The tongue is pale and the pulse is weak and . Analysis: The insomnia always occurs after a sudden shock, as the qi in the heartand gallbladder is greatly exhausted, resulting in…

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deficiencies of the heart and spleen

Sleep pattern: dream-disturbed sleep, easily awakened from sleep, difficulty going back to sleep or early awakening. Accompanying signs: absent-mindedness, palpitations, dizziness, blurred vision, low spirits, fatigue, loss of appetite and pale complexion; the tongue is pale; the pulse is  and weak. Analysis: this kind of insomnia is often seen in the elderly, those…

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fire syndrome caused by yin deficiency

Sleep pattern: difficult falling asleep, restless sleep, or all-night wakefulness. Accompanying signs: absent-mindedness, palpitations, feverish sensations in the chest, palms and soles, dizziness, ear ringing, night sweating, soreness in the waist and knees, nocturnal emission, menstrual problems and mouth dryness. The tongue is red and the pulse is . Analysis: the insomnia…

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phlegm-heat harassment

Sleep pattern: difficulty falling asleep, shallow sleep and frequent waking. The sleep problems are usually caused by an improper diet. Accompanying signs: feelings of annoyance, heaviness in the head, blurred vision, chest tightness, excessive throat secretions, nausea, loss of appetite and belching. The tongue has yellowish and greasy fur; the…

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fire syndrome caused by liver stagnation

Sleep pattern: difficulty falling asleep, nightmares, or unable to go to sleep at all. Accompanying signs: irritability, bloodshot eyes, headache, bitter taste in the mouth, thirst, poor appetite, yellowish urine and constipation; the tongue is red and covered by yellow fur, the pulse is taut and rapid. Analysis: this type of…

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TCM Treatment Principles for Insomnia

Insomnia is the inability to obtain sufficient sleep, difficulty falling asleep or being unable to asleep throughout the night. This leads to fatigue, low energy, diminished mental alertness and concentration during the daytime. Insomnia is usually due to temporary causes, such as jetlag, illness, stress or drinking too much coffee.…

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How TCM Views the Development of Insomnia

Insomnia is inadequate or poor-quality sleep due to one or more of following: difficulty falling asleep; shallow sleep or dream-disturbed sleep; waking up frequently during the night and difficulty returning to sleep; waking up too early in the morning; inability to sleep at all during the night. As early as…

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