Many people suffer from insomnia: tossing and turning, struggling to fall asleep at night, waking easily with frequent dreams, and feeling lethargic, fatigued, and having poor concentration during the day. This condition is often related to Liver Blood deficiency—prolonged high stress and staying up late can deplete Liver Blood, and Liver Blood deficiency, in turn, worsens insomnia, leading to restlessness, palpitations, dizziness, and other issues, creating a vicious cycle.

Today, we introduce a classic ancient formula from the "Synopsis of the Golden Chamber"—Suān Zǎo Rén Tāng (Sour Jujube Decoction). It specifically targets insomnia due to Liver Blood deficiency, with its core functions being to nourish blood, calm the spirit, clear heat, and relieve restlessness. It acts like a "calming team," composed of five medicinal ingredients: Suān Zǎo Rén (Sour Jujube Seed), Gān Cǎo (Licorice Root), Zhī Mǔ (Anemarrhena Rhizome), Fú Líng (Poria), and Chuān Xiōng (Szechuan Lovage Rhizome), skillfully formulated.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, "the liver stores blood, and blood houses the soul." When liver blood is sufficient, the soul can rest peacefully, and a person can sleep soundly. If liver blood is insufficient, the soul becomes unsettled, leading to insomnia and frequent dreaming. This can also cause deficiency heat due to blood deficiency, which disturbs the heart and worsens insomnia. Therefore, treatment should focus on three aspects: nourishing liver blood, soothing liver qi, and clearing deficiency heat.

In the formula, suanzaoren (Spina Date Seed) serves as the "core powerhouse." When stir-fried, its efficacy in nourishing the heart and calming the mind is enhanced, directly replenishing liver blood. Chuanxiong (Szechuan Lovage Rhizome) acts as the "pusher," promoting blood circulation and qi flow to help liver blood circulate smoothly, assisting suanzaoren in its function.

Zhimu (Common Anemarrhena Rhizome) acts like a "firefighter," nourishing yin and clearing heat to address restlessness and feverishness. Fuling (Poria) strengthens the spleen to support the generation of qi and blood, while also removing dampness and calming the mind to prevent phlegm from disturbing the heart. Finally, Gancao (Licorice Root) harmonizes the ingredients, moderates their properties, and enhances the sedative effect.

If your insomnia is accompanied by dizziness, palpitations, and dry mouth, it is likely due to liver blood deficiency. The Suanzaoren Tang formula can address the root cause. However, individual constitution varies, so medication should be adjusted under a doctor’s guidance according to a personalized diagnosis. What other symptoms accompany your insomnia? Share them in the comments section, and we’ll help you preliminarily assess its suitability!