Symptom family: Sleep Disturbances
Parent symptom: Insomnia
Explore below more details about what might cause Restless sleeplessness according to TCM.
Yin deficiency in TCM is a pattern of disharmony characterized by a depletion of the body's Yin energy, which represents the cooling, moistening, and nurturing aspects of our physiology. This condition often arises from factors like chronic stress, overwork, insufficient rest, or prolonged illness. Symptoms of Yin deficiency can include a sensation of heat, especially in the afternoon or evening, night sweats, insomnia, a dry mouth or throat, and a red tongue with little coating. There might also be a general feeling of restlessness or irritability. Since Yin is essential for balancing the body's active and warm Yang energy, its deficiency leads to a relative excess of Yang, manifesting as heat or dryness symptoms.... see more
Common Symptoms: Dry Stools Mouth Ulcers Generalized Fatigue Afternoon Heat Sensation Dry Mouth Preference For Sipping Dry Mouth And Throat At Night Night Sweats
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency | Insomnia with very restless sleep, Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation, Hot palms and soles, Dry stools, Scanty and dark urine, Flushed cheekbones... see more | Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang | Huang Lian E Jiao Tang | Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang | Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan | Suan Zao Ren Tang |
Yin and Blood Deficiency | Insomnia with very restless sleep, Irritability, Heart palpitations with anxiety, Generalized fatigue, Restless sleeplessness, Poor concentration, Nocturnal emission, Poor memory, Dry stools, Mouth ulcers, Menopausal symptoms... see more | Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan |
Blood Deficiency in TCM is like when your body's tank runs low on the vital energy that blood provides. It's not exactly the same as anemia in modern medicine, which is about having too few red blood cells. Instead, Blood Deficiency in TCM is about your body not having enough of the life-giving qualities that blood brings, like nourishment and moisture. This can make you feel tired, look pale, and even feel dizzy or have blurry vision. It's like a garden not getting enough water to stay lush and vibrant. TCM sees this as an imbalance where the body isn't being nourished as it should be, impacting overall health and well-being.... see more
Common Symptoms: Generalized Fatigue Poor Memory Mental Exhaustion Irritability Heart Palpitations With Anxiety Poor Concentration Nocturnal Emission Dry Stools
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Yin and Blood Deficiency | Insomnia with very restless sleep, Irritability, Heart palpitations with anxiety, Generalized fatigue, Restless sleeplessness, Poor concentration, Nocturnal emission, Poor memory, Dry stools, Mouth ulcers, Menopausal symptoms... see more | Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan |
Heart and Spleen Qi and Blood Deficiency | Restlnessness at night, Palpitations, Poor memory, Restless sleeplessness, Fever, Lack of appetite, Generalized fatigue, Coughing, Shortness of breath, Exertional dyspnea, Weight loss... see more | Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang |
Qi Deficiency in TCM is like running low on battery power. Qi is the vital energy that powers every function in your body. When there's a Qi Deficiency, it means your body doesn't have enough of this essential energy. This can make you feel tired all the time, weak, or even cause shortness of breath. It's similar to how you feel when you haven't had enough sleep or nutritious food. Your body just doesn't have the energy it needs to perform at its best. Unlike modern medicine, which often focuses on specific physical causes for fatigue and weakness, TCM views Qi Deficiency as an overall energy depletion that affects your entire well-being, and it seeks to replenish and balance this vital energy.... see more
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Heart and Spleen Qi and Blood Deficiency | Restlnessness at night, Palpitations, Poor memory, Restless sleeplessness, Fever, Lack of appetite, Generalized fatigue, Coughing, Shortness of breath, Exertional dyspnea, Weight loss... see more | Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang |
In TCM "Heat" signifies an excess of Yang energy, leading to an imbalance where heat predominates over the body's cool Yin aspects. This condition is metaphorically akin to an internal over-heating. Symptoms indicative of Heat can include feelings of warmth, fever, sweating, irritability, red face, thirst with a preference for cold drinks, and a rapid pulse. The tongue may appear red with a yellow coating. Unlike the common interpretation of heat in terms of temperature, in TCM, it represents a state of hyperactivity or inflammation in the body.... see more
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency | Insomnia with very restless sleep, Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation, Hot palms and soles, Dry stools, Scanty and dark urine, Flushed cheekbones... see more | Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang | Huang Lian E Jiao Tang | Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang | Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan | Suan Zao Ren Tang |
In TCM the Heart is considered the "emperor" of all organs, primarily responsible for governing Blood and housing the mind, known as "Shen." It plays a crucial role in maintaining mental-emotional equilibrium and controlling the circulation of Qi and blood throughout the body. When the Heart is imbalanced or malfunctions in TCM, it can lead to a range of issues like heart palpitations, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, anxiety, and a flushed complexion. Emotional disturbances such as excessive joy or lack of joy are also seen as signs of Heart disharmony. These symptoms reflect not just physical heart conditions but also the state of one's Shen, indicating the interconnectedness of physical and emotional well-being in TCM.... see more
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Heart and Spleen Qi and Blood Deficiency | Restlnessness at night, Palpitations, Poor memory, Restless sleeplessness, Fever, Lack of appetite, Generalized fatigue, Coughing, Shortness of breath, Exertional dyspnea, Weight loss... see more | Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang |
In TCM the Spleen plays a vital role in digestion and transformation, converting food into energy and nutrients, and overseeing the distribution of Qi and Blood. It's also crucial in maintaining the health of muscles and limbs and ensuring the blood remains within the vessels. When the Spleen malfunctions in TCM, it can lead to a variety of issues such as digestive disorders, fatigue, weak muscles, bloating, and a feeling of heaviness. It can also cause a pale complexion, poor appetite, and a tendency to bruise easily. Emotionally, a Spleen imbalance is often associated with excessive worry or overthinking, reflecting its role in the interplay between physical and mental health.... see more
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Heart and Spleen Qi and Blood Deficiency | Restlnessness at night, Palpitations, Poor memory, Restless sleeplessness, Fever, Lack of appetite, Generalized fatigue, Coughing, Shortness of breath, Exertional dyspnea, Weight loss... see more | Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang |
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address restless sleeplessness, organized by cause and by formula type.
Suitable for Yin Deficiency patterns that may cause restless sleeplessness, such as Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency or Yin and Blood Deficiency
Learn moreFormula | Patterns Suitable For |
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Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency, Yin and Blood Deficiency |
Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency |
Huang Lian E Jiao Tang | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency |
Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency |
Suan Zao Ren Tang | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency |
Suitable for Blood Deficiency patterns that may cause restless sleeplessness, such as Yin and Blood Deficiency
Learn moreFormula | Patterns Suitable For |
---|---|
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan | Yin and Blood Deficiency |
Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang | Heart and Spleen Qi and Blood Deficiency |
Suitable for Qi Deficiency patterns that may cause restless sleeplessness, such as Heart and Spleen Qi and Blood Deficiency
Learn moreSuitable for Heat patterns that may cause restless sleeplessness, such as Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
Learn moreFormula | Patterns Suitable For |
---|---|
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency |
Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency |
Huang Lian E Jiao Tang | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency |
Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency |
Suan Zao Ren Tang | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency |
These formulas are suitable for some restless sleeplessness-causing patterns like Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency or Yin and Blood Deficiency.
One such formula is Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan, with unprepared rehmannia as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
---|---|
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency, Yin and Blood Deficiency |
Huang Lian E Jiao Tang | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency |
Suan Zao Ren Tang | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency |
These formulas are suitable for some restless sleeplessness-causing patterns like Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency.
One such formula is Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang, with softshell turtle shell as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
---|---|
Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency |
Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency |
These formulas are suitable for some restless sleeplessness-causing patterns like Heart and Spleen Qi and Blood Deficiency.
One such formula is Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang, with ginseng as a key herb.
See more details below about Yingchuang ST-16, an acupoint used to address restless sleeplessness.
In the 3nd intercostal space, on the mammillary line, 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline.