This discussion on Insomnia is taken from the book: The American Association of oriental Medicine's Complete Guide to Chinese Herbal Medicine

INSOMNIA

The following discussion is based on information found in the book: Complete Guide to Chinese Herbal Medicine

Insomnia covers a wide range of sleep disorders, including poor quality of sleep due to nightmares, sudden wakefulness with an inability to fall back to sleep, restless or disturbed sleep, and the inability to fall asleep at all.  Most times, emotional disturbances are at the root of this disorder, including excessive worry or rumination over a long period of time.  Long-term emotional disturbances can, in turn, create physical imbalances that exacerbate insomnia.  Very often, therefore, herbal treatment is supplemented with lifestyle counseling.

• Insomnia caused by excess Liver Fire includes symptoms of irritability, restlessness, strong thirst (especially for alcohol), red eyes, a bitter taste in the mouth, constipation, strong smelling yellow urine, and a red tongue with a yellow coat.  A good choice for this pattern is: LONG DAN XIE GAN WAN
• Insomnia caused by excess Phlegm and rising Heat includes symptoms of copious sputum, a sensation of fullness in the chest, a sensation of heaviness and tightness in the head, poor appetite, burping of acid, vomiting, restlessness, a bitter taste in the mouth, and a yellow greasy coat on the tongue.  The formula of choice for this pattern is: ER CHEN WAN
• Insomnia caused by rising Heart Fire includes symptoms of waking at night with active dreams or nightmares, palpitations, heat in the soles and palms that worsens at night, ringing in the ears, night sweats, dizziness, forgetfulness, sore and weak lower back, and a dry mouth with a red lightly coated tongue.  Two good formulas for this pattern are TIAN WAN BU XIN WAN and AN SHEN BU XIN WAN
• Insomnia caused by deficient Heart and Spleen includes symptoms of waking at night with active dreams or nightmares, palpitations, poor appetite, blurred vision, forgetfulness, fatigue, little or no taste, dizziness, pale skin with a dull look on the face, and a pale tongue with a thin coat.  The best formulas for this pattern are: SHI QUAN DA BU WAN and GUI PI WAN
• Insomnia caused by QI and Blood deficiencies of the Heart and Gallbladder includes symptoms of nightmares, palpitations, poor confidence constant worrying, a tendency to be easily frightened, frequent and excessive urination, shortness of breath, and a pale tongue.  The best formulas for this pattern are: TIAN WAN BU XIN WAN and AN SHEN BU XIN WAN