In Singapore, many people suffer from chronic insomnia!
Those agonizing nights: staring at the ceiling counting sheep at 3 AM, startling awake at the slightest sound with heart palpitations, then nearly collapsing on the road the next day while sending kids to school with dark circles. Long-term insomnia also leads to irritability, disrupted menstrual cycles in women, and even dread of nighttime. Some have tried melatonin, white noise, new pillows—yet all these "viral remedies" prove as useless as scratching an itch through boots.
Singapore Gong Fang Tang TCM’s Qiu Baorun emphasizes: Insomnia is far more complex than just "trouble sleeping"!
Four common clinical patterns of insomnia:
Liver Fire Agitation (common in high-stress individuals): Irritability, bitter taste, rib-side distension/pain, waking between 1-3 AM.
Heart-Spleen Deficiency (common in overthinkers): Vivid dreams/easy waking, palpitations, fatigue, poor appetite.
Phlegm-Heat Harassment (common in poor-diet individuals): Shallow yet heavy sleep, head/chest heaviness, yellow-greasy tongue coating.
Yin Deficiency with Fire Flare (common in night owls): Heat in palms/soles, night sweats, dry mouth/throat.
How to effectively manage insomnia?
Herbal Treatment: Dr. Qiu tailors formulas based on pattern differentiation:
Heart-Spleen Deficiency: Modified Guipi Decoction — boosts Qi, nourishes blood, strengthens Spleen, calms the mind.
Liver Fire Agitation: Modified Longdan Xiegan Decoction — clears Liver fire, relieves stagnation, anchors the spirit.
Yin Deficiency with Fire Flare: Huanglian Ejiao Tang or Zhibai Dihuang Wan — nourishes Yin, descends fire, harmonizes Heart-Kidney.
Acupuncture Therapy: Dr. Qiu selects key points from Yin/Yang Heel Vessels and Heart Meridian:
Core points: Zhaohai (KI6), Shenmai (BL62), Shenmen (HT7), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Anmian (EX-HN22), Sishencong (EX-HN1) — to balance Yin-Yang and tranquilize the mind.
Pattern-specific points:
Liver Fire: + Xingjian (LR2)
Phlegm-Heat: + Fenglong (ST40), Laogong (PC8)
Heart-Spleen Deficiency: + Xinshu (BL15), Pishu (BL20)
Regulates the central nervous system to improve sleep.
Case Study
Patient: Ms. Lee, 28, insomnia for 2 years
Symptoms: Difficulty falling asleep, excessive dreaming, morning dizziness, poor concentration, memory decline, fatigue, low appetite.
TCM Diagnosis: Heart-Spleen Deficiency with Qi-Blood Insufficiency.
Treatment Principle: Fortify Spleen, boost Qi, nourish blood, calm spirit.
Prescription: Modified Guipi Decoction.
Progress:
Week 2: Reduced fatigue, improved appetite, slept 4-5 hours/night (still vivid dreams).
Weeks 3-4: Added two spirit-calming herbs → normalized sleep (occasional dreams), dizziness resolved. Memory remained suboptimal.
Week 5: Consolidated treatment → full recovery.
TCM emphasizes pattern-based treatment — formulas are personalized.
Dosage and herb adjustments must be guided by a licensed practitioner. Strictly avoid self-medication.
