Treatment of Insomnia May 17, 2005

Treatment of Insomnia May 17, 2005

In treating insomnia, I have tried Guipi Tang, Tianwang Buxin Tang, Dingxin Tang, Anhun Tang, Suanzaoren Tang, and Banqiang Xiangmi Tang. Some have worked, others haven’t. Later, I used Sheng Tie Luo Yin and successfully cured one case of stubborn insomnia. Recently, I saw a book titled “New Uses of Traditional Chinese Medicine” that recommends using He Shou Wu, Dang Gui, Ban Xia, and Ku Shen in large doses to treat insomnia. I will observe this in clinical practice going forward. The Health News (May 2, 2005) published a case report—a cured case of stubborn insomnia. The main prescription was: 6 grams of Huang Lian, 10 grams of Huang Qin, 10 grams of Ejiao (melted), 1 egg yolk (added warm to the decoction), 20 grams of Bai Shao, 6 grams of Gan Cao, 10 grams of Nü Zhen Zi, 10 grams of Mo Han Lian, 15 grams of Gui Jia, 15 grams of Sheng Long Gu, 6 grams of Chang Pu, and 6 grams of Yuan Zhi. The author claimed the effect was miraculous and should be clinically verified. Among them, the Huang Lian-Ejiao Decoction is a specialized formula from the “Shanghan Lun” for treating heart-kidney disharmony. Article 303 of the “Shanghan Lun” states: “For Lesser Yin disease, if it lasts two or three days and the heart feels restless and unable to sleep, Huang Lian-Ejiao Decoction is the primary prescription.”