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"These days many people complain about sleep deprivation or insomnia. It means our life patterns change and affect our biological clock. If our biological clock is off, it disturbs sleep before the other body systems. Sleep is not simply a state of relaxation- it is very important to our body and it can greatly affect our life.
One research study from the University of Chicago showed they when they deprived a mouse of sleep, it was only able to live 17 days be fore dying. It means sleep is really connected to life.
According to Chinese Medicine, when you sleep, the blood is governed and restored by the Liver. This pertains to seeing, listening, speaking, and general activity in our life. If you have less blood in your body, you have rough skin, blurry vision, ringing in the ears, and loss of hair. It also greatly affects woman's health, such as irregular periods, painful menstruation, infertility and obesity. It is best to get at least 6 hours a day. However, more important than counting sleep hours is how deeply you sleep and wake refreshed in the morning. If you are prone to insomnia, avoid coffee, soda or consuming any other caffeinated product at night.
I would like to introduce herbal tea for insomnia: Scallion, Su Ye (aka Zi Su Ye, Perillae Folium), Squash, Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen) and Walnuts.
Boiled scallion has a bitter flavor, which is associated with the heart: used in cases of both chest and heart pain. It also has antifungal and antimicrobial effects, but to a lesser degree. Also it soothes the nerves and help to sleep.
Su Ye is good for chest oppression from pent up anger or insomnia, because it has kind of "stress relief "herb. Boil 20g of Su Ye together with 20g of Chen Pi (Citri Pericarpium). Chen Pi regulates qi and transforms damp.
Boiled squash is good for insomnia: as squash is warming in thermal nature and improves qi energy circulation. It helps to fall asleep easily and awake refreshed. If you do not like boiled squash, you can mix with honey to make honey squash. Squash has sweet flavor so it influences the spleen-pancreas and stomach and reduces inflammation. When you boil 300g of squash, put together with 150g of roasted Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphi Spinosae Sm). After you cook it, making mash them together and take 1 cup three or four times a day. Suan Zao Ren nourishes the Heart and calms the spirit, so it helps to quiet the nerves; you roast and brew of Suan Zao Ren to drink a tea.
I also recommend the walnut for insomnia. It has a sweet flavor; it nourishes the kidneys, adrenals, and brain, and enriches the sperm. But avoid taking walnuts in cases of loose stools and heat signs. An easy way to eat walnuts is to put roasted walnut powder in your tea and drink after each meal.
If your insomnia is chronic, try to cook rice porridge of walnut. I will give receipt of this rice porridge of walnut. Heat water in a large saucepan on medium. As the water begins to bubble, add Da Zao (Jujubae Fr) and rice. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, until rice is tender, stirring occasionally. Add cooked walnut powder, stir into soup, then cover and cook for 2-3 minutes. However you take too much, it may cause diarrhea.
Sleep is important to our life, so try to get plenty of sleep and live enjoy a regular biological clock."
Thank you to Julie Lee, the founder of Unique Acupuncture, an Oriental Medicine clinic in Beaverton, Oregon, for this article.
Julie Lee is a licensed as an acupuncturist and board-certified herbalist in the state of Oregon. She is nationally certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
Julie has a strong interest in the management of women's health, including pregnancy-related issues, painful menstruation, and irregular menstruation and menopause symptoms. She also treats digestive problems, anxiety and sleep disorders.
Julie was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. Her family has a long history of professions in Oriental Medicine, and her father is a famous MD, PhD, and professor of Oriental Medicine at Kyung hee University of Oriental Medicine in South Korea.
