| Clinical
Use
• Insomnia due to emotional stress
or hyperactive mental states.
• Induces sleep without sluggish side-effects the next
morning.
Suggested Dosage
2 tsp. in c warm water, 20 minutes before
bed. If at all groggy upon waking, lower the dosage until
sleep and waking feels normal. Another dose can be taken during
the night if one wakes and cannot easily go back to sleep
(try 1/2 the dosage first).
Cautions &
Considerations
Not for yin deficiency insomnia. Do not
combine with pharmaceutical drugs for insomnia.
TCM Explanation of the Formula
The pattern that this formula is designed to treat is Liver
Qi Congestion and/or Shen Disturbance. Because it is a sleep
inducing formula, the formula needs to have a stronger tranquilizing
effect than if treating this pattern during the daytime. Unlike
the effects of many sleep drugs, these herbs do not result
in a groggy mental state, making it difficult to get up in
the morning.
There are quite a few Western herbs in this formula because
of their strong specific function to calm the shen and relax
the entire nervous system.
Passion Flower calms the shen and opens the
congested liver qi and lower the liver yang. It is also used
in our Lower Relief formula for its anti-spasmodic effects
on muscle.
Kava Kava, an herb grown in the South Pacific, also
calms the shen and treats general stress and anxiety. It is
considered a very safe herb when the correct part of the plant
is used.
Valerian Root – The species used in
this formula (Sitchense) is the best form to use for insomnia.
It promotes a deep sleep and clears the consciousness. It
is good for calming the shen and opening liver qi Congestion.
California Poppy is only one of many other
species of poppies (including opium). It is, however, one
of the most gentle and does not contain any narcotics. It
has a calming and settling effect on the nervous system. This
makes it very useful for general anxiety and insomnia.
Scullcap, similar to Scutellaria
(Huang Qin), clears heat and lowers the yang. It also helps
to balance the warming effects of some of the other herbs.
Wood Betony is an excellent herb for releasing
the liver qi congestion and lowering the yang.
German Chamomile is a very calming herb,
especially to the middle burner. When the stomach is settled,
it is easier to sleep well.
Marshmallow cools yin deficiency heat and
helps balance some of the warming herbs in the formula.
Polygala Root calms the shen and settles
pent up emotions.
Zizyphus Seed contains and settles the shen.
It a very popular herb used for many types of insomnia.
Dragon Bone, or petrified bone (probably
dinosaurs), has a very strong action to settle the yang and
prevent it from flying upwards. When we sleep, the yang needs
to descend and be held in check by the yin. Normally, the
gradual increase of the rising yang of the day should move
the yang of the body gently upwards and we wake up.
Note: In TCM, the most regenerative hours
of sleep are considered 11pm - 3am. This is when the blood
returns to the liver. Going to bed later and sleeping longer
does not make up for missed sleep during those times.
|
