A Self-Designed TCM Formula for Insomnia That Also Cured a Patient's Stomach Disease
Because many of the cancer patients I serve suffer from intractable insomnia, I once designed a TCM formula for treating insomnia and published it in my social media feed. The daughter of a lung cancer patient saw it, gave the formula to her insomnia-stricken husband, and as a result, not only was his insomnia cured, but his stomach disease was cured as well.
This formula is as follows: Huai Xiaomai (Huai wheat) 30g, Sheng Gancao (raw Licorice) 6g, Suanzaoren (Sour Jujube Seed) 6g, Baiziren (Biota Seed) 6g, Maidong (Ophiopogon) 6g, Zhuru (Bamboo Shavings) 6g, Mohanlian (Eclipta) 10g, Nuzhenzi (Ligustrum Fruit) 10g, Dazao (Jujube) 5-10 pieces, Hehuanpi (Albizia Bark) 6g, Yejiaoteng (Polygoni Multiflori Caulis) 6g, Yuanzhi (Polygala) 10g, Dingxiang (Clove) 6g. One packet per day; before bedtime, decoct with two bowls of water down to half a bowl, and drink it all at once. The Huai Xiaomai here can be replaced by ordinary wheat, or Huai wheat can be purchased online, but it must not be replaced by Fuxiaomai (float wheat) from the pharmacy, as the two have different effects.
Besides insomnia, this patient also had acid reflux and heartburn — common symptoms of reflux esophagitis or gastritis. After taking this Chinese herbal formula for a period of time, both the patient's insomnia and acid reflux/heartburn were resolved.
This formula is actually a combination of three TCM formulas used for treating neurasthenia — Danzhuru Tang (Light Bamboo Shavings Decoction), Erzhi Wan (Two-Season Pill), and Yejiaoteng Hehuanpi Powder — with the addition of Shengburping and sleep-aiding herbs such as Suanzaoren, Baiziren, and Yuanzhi.
On top of this, I added one herb, Dingxiang (Clove), because clove treats stomach disease. As early as the Han dynasty, TCM recognized that "when the stomach is not harmonious, sleep is restless." In my clinical practice, I have also found that many insomnia patients simultaneously have stomach disease, and insomnia can also aggravate stomach disease. Therefore, I used Dingxiang, which has the action of lowering counterflow and awakening the spleen, to treat the stomach; this way, the effect of treating both the root and the manifestation is better achieved.
In fact, this formula can also be used to treat women's menopausal syndrome and hair loss caused by excessive stress in middle-aged and young people. It is a good anti-anxiety and calming formula. The reason I designed this formula is that too many of the cancer patients I serve are troubled by anxiety and insomnia, so I offer this formula for everyone's reference.
Danzhuru Tang is a classic formula for treating "women's zang agitation" (very similar to what is now called postpartum depression). In actual application, I have found that Danzhuru Tang can also be used to treat menopausal syndrome and various anxiety and depression problems. Erzhi Wan is a classic formula for treating liver-kidney yin deficiency with a bitter taste in the mouth and dry throat; it is now commonly used to treat early menstruation or metrorrhagia in women. In actual application, I have found that Erzhi Wan also has the effects of supplementing blood and stopping bleeding, calming the spirit and aiding sleep, and treating hair loss. Yejiaoteng Hehuanpi Powder is a classic formula for treating insomnia; Suanzaoren and Baiziren are two Chinese herbs with sleep-inducing effects. Therefore, combining these formulas and herbs to treat insomnia achieves a strong sleep-aiding effect. I have used it in several cases of intractable insomnia with some effect; of course, some patients did not benefit from it.
This kind of formula was designed through continuous practice and modification as I managed some intractable complications in cancer patients. I myself have not reached the level of a general practitioner and am not skilled at treating difficult and complicated diseases. I publish such formulas to invite criticism from experts. I do not hope that some patients with difficult and complicated diseases will mistakenly believe that I am highly skilled at treating such conditions; I have long studied TCM treatment of cancer and am not skilled at treating other diseases. For difficult and complicated diseases, it is more reliable to find experts who have long studied the relevant condition.