Do You Toss and Turn Deep into the Night, Counting Sheep Until Dawn Yet Still Wide Awake? The agony of long-term insomnia is only understood by those who have endured it. Especially stubborn insomnia is excruciatingly painful. Does Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have any effective miracle drugs to cure it?
What Causes Stubborn Insomnia?
Singapore Gong Fang Tang TCM expert Dr. Que Poh Yuen Albert points out: For modern people, insomnia that is difficult to cure is 90% due to hyperactive heart fire above and deficient kidney water below.
Heart-Kidney Disharmony (Accounts for 70% of insomnia)
Staying up late scrolling phone → Kidney water dries up, unable to restrain heart fire.
Excessive mental strain → Heart fire flares alone, scorching yin fluids.
Liver Blood Deficiency (High incidence in women)
Blood loss during menstruation + postpartum disharmony → Blood fails to nourish the ethereal soul, leading to night frights and dreams.
Phlegm-Fire Harassing the Spirit (Common in overweight individuals)
Accumulation from rich, greasy foods → Phlegm-fire attacks the spirit at night.
How Does TCM Treat Stubborn Insomnia?
For stubborn insomnia, Physician Que Poh Yuen excels in using the highly effective empirical formula from a National TCM Master – Heart-Kidney Interaction Decoction (Xin Shen Jiao Tai Tang). This formula directly targets the root cause of insomnia, helping you regain deep, baby-like sleep!
Heart-Kidney Interaction Decoction is composed of: Huanglian (Coptis), Rougui (Cinnamon Twig / Cassia Twig), Yejiaoteng (Polygonum Multiflorum Vine / Fleeceflower Stem), Hehuanpi (Albizia Bark / Silk Tree Bark), Zhenzhumu (Pearl Shell / Concha Margaritifera), Zibeichi (Purple Cowrie Shell).
Huanglian (Coptis): Bitter and cold, clears the Heart and drains fire, preventing Heart fire from hyperactivity.
Rougui (Cinnamon Twig): Pungent and hot, warms the Kidneys and supports yang, guides fire back to its source.
Combined: These two key herbs, one cold and one hot used together, facilitate Heart-Kidney interaction.
Paired with: Yejiaoteng and Hehuanpi nourish the Heart and calm the spirit.
Finally: Zhenzhumu and Zibeichi anchor the Heart and calm the ethereal soul, specifically counteracting fright-induced waking.
Overall Effect: The combined herbs achieve the result of facilitating Heart-Kidney interaction and calming the spirit to settle the will, improving insomnia from the root.
Modifications:
Waking between 1-3 AM: Add Baishao (White Peony Root) 20g, Chaihu (Bupleurum Root) stir-fried with vinegar 9g (softens Liver, resolves depression).
Palpitations & night sweats: Add Fuxiaomai (Light Wheat) 50g, Duanlonggu (Calcined Dragon Bone) 30g (astringes sweat, secures yin).
Bitter taste & constipation: Add Dengxincao (Juncus Pith) 3g, Shengdahuang (Raw Rhubarb) 6g (unblocks fu organs, drains fire).
Medical Case
Patient: Ms. Liu, 41 years old.
Chief Complaint: Insomnia for 4 years, averaging 2 hours of sleep per day, reliant on melatonin and sleeping pills.
Initial Consultation: Tip of tongue red without coating (Heart fire hyperactivity), pulse thin and rapid like pressing a taut string (Kidney yin deficiency).
Prescription: Modified Heart-Kidney Interaction Decoction, original formula + Xuanshen (Figwort Root) 15g, Baihe (Lily Bulb) 30g.
Result:
Day 3: Time to fall asleep shortened to 40 minutes.
Day 7: Complexion significantly improved, sleep duration slightly increased.
Day 21: Achieving self-initiated sleep lasting 6 hours.
Insomnia Tips:
21:00 Disconnect from electronic screens (prevents Heart fire disturbance).
Before bed, rub Yongquan (KI1) on soles 300 times (guides fire downward).
Sleep in bow position, right side lying (facilitates Heart-Kidney qi-blood interaction).
