Disclaimer: All herbal teas, medicinal soups, acupuncture and Tui Na described in this article are only auxiliary wellness regimens for traditional health maintenance, not formal medical treatments. They cannot replace professional physician diagnosis, prescription drugs or clinical therapies. Anyone diagnosed with physical diseases shall strictly follow the treatment plans formulated by licensed medical practitioners. All TCM terminology, wellness regulation theories and traditional health philosophies in this text are solely for the inheritance, popularization and cultural exchange of traditional Chinese medicine. No content herein shall be deemed guidance for clinical diagnosis or medical treatment. Read more
Insomnia is a common clinical signs of imbalance, referring to insufficient sleep duration, difficulty falling asleep, shallow or unrestful sleep, or easy awakening. There are many causes of insomnia, common factors include: psychophysiological factors, depression, infection, toxicity and drug factors, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor sleep environment. Due to insufficient night sleep, patients may experience daytime lethargy, lack of concentration, poor appetite. Some individuals also have signs of imbalance such as tinnitus, forgetfulness, hand tremors, head fullness and heaviness, irritability, and anger. Frequent insomnia can easily lead to psychological imbalance, increasing the patient’s psychological burden.
In traditional Chinese medicine, insomnia is referred to as “bù mèi” (sleeplessness) or “bù dé mián” (inability to sleep). It is believed that there are many causative factors, such as the saying “when the stomach is not harmonious, sleep becomes restless” and “deficiency and vexation lead to inability to sleep.” This condition is closely related to dysfunction of the Heart, Liver, Spleen, and Kidneys, as well as deficiency of Yin and Blood. Individuals experiencing nervous exhaustion often present with this condition.
Traditional Chinese medicine classifies insomnia into four types and applies pattern differentiation and appropriate support according to the different causes.
1. Heart and Spleen Deficiency: poor appetite and insomnia, excessive dreaming with easy awakening, pale complexion, fatigue and listlessness, palpitations and forgetfulness, lack of taste for food, pale tongue, thin or rough pulse. The therapeutic approach is to supplement the Heart and Spleen, and to support a calm and settled mind.
2. Heart and Kidney Disharmony (Xin Shen Bu Jiao): Vexation and insomnia, dizziness and tinnitus, palpitations and poor memory, dry mouth with scanty saliva, sore lower back and nocturnal emission, red tip of tongue, thin and rapid pulse. Therapeutic principle: Nourish yin and support internal balance to promote the harmonious interaction between Heart and Kidney.
3. Heart and Gallbladder Qi Deficiency: Heart palpitations and occasional sleeplessness, easily awakened during sleep, timidity and fearfulness, excessive dreaming, pale tongue, wiry and thready pulse. supports principle: support Qi and help maintain a calm disposition, support tranquility and mental stability.
4. Stomach Failing to Descend and Harmonize: This can be divided into two types: Phlegm-Fire and Food Stagnation.
① Phlegm-Heat: Chest stuffiness and epigastric distension, dizziness with profuse phlegm, restlessness and insomnia, bitter taste in mouth and chest oppression, difficulty in urination and defecation. Greasy tongue coating, slippery and rapid pulse. The approach supports transforming phlegm and helps maintain harmony in the Middle Burner (digestive system).
② Food Stagnation: epigastric distension and belching, tongue coating yellow, greasy, and thick at the root, pulse slippery and rapid. The recommended approach supports dispersing stagnation and harmonizing the middle.
1.Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi) and Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa (Suanzaoren) Tea
Ingredients: Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi) 15g, Ziziphus spinosa (Suanzaoren) 15g, Atractylodes macrocephala (Baizhu) 10g, Poria cocos (Fushen) 10g, Longan arillus (Longyanrou) 10g, Codonopsis pilosula (Dangshen) 10g, Aucklandia lappa (Muxiang) 1.5g, Glycyrrhiza uralensis preparata (Zhi Gancao) 6g, Angelica sinensis (Danggui) 6g, Polygala tenuifolia (Yuanzhi) 3g, Zingiber officinale (Shengjiang) 3 slices, Ziziphus jujuba (Hongzao) 5 pieces.
Preparation method: Decoct the above herbs in water twice, mix the decoctions, and drink as tea. One dose daily.
Benefits: Strengthens the Spleen and Nourishes the Heart, supports Qi and nourishes Blood. Helps promote restful sleep for those with a pattern of Heart and Spleen Deficiency.
2.Wheat and Rehmannia Tea (Xiaomai Shengdi Cha)
Ingredients: 30g Triticum aestivum (Xiaomai, wheat), 20g Rehmannia glutinosa (Shengdi), 15g each of Lilium brownii (Baihe, lily bulb) and raw Dens Draconis (Sheng Longchi), and 3 pieces of Ziziphus jujuba (Dazao, Chinese date).
Preparation method: Decoct the above herbs in water twice, mix the decoctions, and use as a tea substitute. Take one dose daily.
Function: supports yin nourishment and internal balance, helps calm the mind and helps with occasional occasional restlessness. Promotes restful sleep for those with Heart-Kidney Disharmony (xin shen bu jiao).
3.Maidong Lianzi Tea (Ophiopogon japonicus and Nelumbo nucifera Tea)
Ingredients: Ophiopogon japonicus (Maidong) 20g, Nelumbo nucifera seed (Lianzi) 15g, Poria cocos with host wood (Fushen) 10g.
Preparation: Grind the three ingredients together into a coarse powder, put into a cup, and steep with boiling water. Drink as tea. One dose daily.
Functions: supports yin nourishment and helps maintain a balanced internal environment; calms the mind and helps with occasional the spirit. Traditionally used to promote restful sleep for those with Heart-Kidney Disharmony pattern.
4.Morus alba (Mulberry) Tea
Ingredients: 15g of Morus alba (Mulberry fruit).
Method: Grind the above herbs into a coarse powder, place in a cup, steep in boiling water, and drink as tea. Take 1-2 doses daily.
Functions: Nourishes Kidney Yin, clears Heart and descends Fire. supports restful sleep for those with Heart-Kidney Disharmony pattern.
5.Dengxin Zhuye Cha (Common Rush and Bamboo Leaf Tea)
Ingredients: *Juncus effusus* (Dengxincao) 60 g, fresh *Phyllostachys nigra* var. *henonis* (Xianzhuye) 60 g.
Preparation method: Grind the two ingredients into coarse powder, place in a teapot, and steep in boiling water. Drink as a tea. One dose daily.
Benefits: Helps calm the spirit and settle the mind, helps helps with occasional occasional nervousness and supports a clear mind. supports individuals with Heart and Gallbladder Qi Deficiency pattern for restful sleep.
6.Huangjing Yuzhu Cha (Polygonatum and Solomon’s Seal Tea)
Ingredients: Polygonatum sibiricum (Huangjing) 30g, Polygonatum odoratum (Yuzhu) 30g, Cassia obtusifolia (Juemingzi) 9g, Ligusticum chuanxiong (Chuanxiong) 3g.
Preparation method: Grind the above herbs into a coarse powder, place in a cup, and infuse with boiling water. Drink as tea. One dose daily.
Functions: supports Qi and helps calm a startled spirit, promotes tranquility and mental focus. Formulated for individuals with a pattern of Heart-Gallbladder Qi Deficiency to encourage restful sleep.
7.Shiye Shanzha He Cha (Persimmon Leaf and Hawthorn Seed Tea)
Ingredients: 30 grams each of Diospyros kaki (Persimmon Leaf) and Crataegus pinnatifida (Hawthorn Seed).
Preparation method: Cut the persimmon leaves (Diospyros kaki) into small pieces, crush the hawthorn seeds (Crataegus pinnatifida), place both into a thermos cup, pour in boiling water, cover and steep for 30 minutes, then drink as tea. Take one dose daily.
Efficacy: helps maintain a cool and calm internal environment, supports smooth Qi flow and helps resolve stagnation. supports restful sleep associated with occasional food stagnation.
8.Shanzha Dazao Cha (Hawthorn and Jujube Tea)
Ingredients: 30g Crataegus pinnatifida (Hawthorn Berry), 7 pieces of Ziziphus jujuba (Chinese Date), 15g white sugar.
Preparation: Wash and pit the Crataegus pinnatifida (Shanzha, Hawthorn) and Ziziphus jujuba (Dazao, Jujube). Place them together in an earthenware pot, decoct in water, then add white sugar. Drink as tea. One dose daily.
Efficacy: supports blood nourishment and promotes a calm spirit; helps resolve stasis and transform stagnation. Traditionally used to support individuals with occasional sleeplessness related to a pattern of Food Stagnation.
TCM Terminology Disclaimer:All traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) terms, descriptions, and wellness expressions including but not limited to nourishing lungs, soothing throat discomfort, supporting respiratory comfort, clearing mild internal heat, balancing qi and blood, harmonizing bodily functions, and regulating general wellness featured on this website are traditional TCM cultural descriptions and historical wellness theories only. These phrases are used solely for traditional TCM knowledge sharing and cultural interpretation. They do not constitute medical efficacy claims, have not been evaluated by the FDA, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All TCM wording describes traditional auxiliary wellness conditioning effects only and should never be interpreted as clinical medical treatment results. Individuals with confirmed illnesses must seek professional medical diagnosis and follow standard Western medical treatment.
FDA Mandatory Disclaimer：These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Chinese herbal dietary supplements and traditional wellness practices are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and serve only as daily auxiliary health support. If you have been diagnosed with any illness, please seek professional medical care and follow standard Western medical treatment regimens.
漢方のハーブティー、試してみたいです！最近寝つきが悪くて悩んでいたので、具体的な種類が載っているならぜひ読んでみます。カモミールとかラベンダーはよく聞くけど、漢方ならではのブレンドが気になりますね。
Interesting! I’ve been dealing with restless sleep lately, so these TCM infusions sound promising. I’m curious about which herbs work best for stress-related insomnia—any recommendations for beginners?
I’ve been struggling with restless nights for months—definitely trying some of these TCM infusions! The chamomile and lotus seed combo sounds lovely. Have you found that certain infusions work better for different types of insomnia (like trouble falling asleep vs. waking up too early)? Thanks for sharing these natural remedies!