Gynecology Expert Chen Danping's "Gengnian Shimi Fang" for Menopausal Insomnia
Chen Danping is a TCM gynecology expert at Jing'an District Hospital of TCM in Shanghai. In clinical practice he has developed several empirical formulas for miscellaneous gynecological diseases; the "Gengnian Shimi Fang" (Menopausal Insomnia Formula) is one of them.
The composition of Gengnian Shimi Fang is: Suanzaoren (Ziziphus seed) 30 g, Shengdihuang (raw Rehmannia) 15 g, Shudihuang (prepared Rehmannia) 15 g, Danggui (Angelica) 15 g, Huanglian (Coptis) 6 g, Rougui (Cinnamon bark) 3 g, Xihonghua (saffron) 0.2 g, Danshen (Salvia) 30 g, Xiakucao (Prunella) 15 g, Zhibanxia (prepared Pinellia) 9 g, Chantui (Cicada slough) 6 g, Shenglonggu (raw Dragon Bone) 30 g.
Dr. Chen states the formula's action as nourishing blood and calming the spirit. Its indication is insomnia in menopausal women due to yin deficiency with effulgent fire, presenting with difficulty falling asleep, a pale or dark/purple tongue with thin coating, and a thin, rapid, slippery, or rough pulse.
This composition is distinctive and is Dr. Chen's effective clinical empirical formula. Huanglian and Rougui together form Jiaotai Wan (Heart-Kidney Interacting Pill), a proven TCM formula for insomnia, and Suanzaoren is the single most commonly used TCM herb for insomnia.
Shengdihuang, Shudihuang, and Danggui all nourish yin and blood; Danshen and Xihonghua activate blood and resolve stasis. Xiakucao treats liver-yang ascending (hypertension); Banxia resolves phlegm, dries dampness, harmonizes the stomach, and downuses counterflow; Chantui relieves spasm and calms fright, and recent scholars report some effect on intractable insomnia; Shenglonggu treats "crowding dreams at night."
Of the insomnia formulas I have seen, Dr. Chen's is distinctive. From a modern medical standpoint, menopausal insomnia is mainly triggered by hormonal changes producing physiological nervous-system disturbance. Traditional TCM attributes it to declining tiankui (reproductive essence) and liver-kidney yin deficiency, so treatment follows the principle of nourishing yin and blood.
Insomnia has many causes, and menopausal insomnia is among the hardest to treat. This formula may be a reference for patients with this problem.