Insomnia
Now warmth produceth wakefulness, but cold produceth deep sleep;
moreover, the feelings which are due to the bile and to heat appear to
produce wakefulness (or, alertness of mind), and talkativeness, and
versatility. Now the feelings which arise from coldness and phlegm
cause the opposites of these qualities,that is to say, heaviness in
the members,and torpid actions (Syrian Book of Medicine)
Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep. It may arise at various times in a persons life and most people will experience insomnia at some point in their life. Emotional turmoil such as after separation or loss of a loved one or the stress or everyday life may induce insomnia.
In traditional medicine, it may be caused by excess Heat, Deficiency, or Wind/Yin deficiency. Excess Heat causes a greater stimulation of the nervous system and may make the mind overactive causing sleeplessness. Deficiency of the Heart and Spleen may cause sleeplessness and in this case it will come with worry, fatigue and poor digestion. The Wind-natured person suffers insomnia due to a restless and erratic mind and its associated worrying nature.
Important Aids to Help Promote Good Sleep:
1. Exercise daily
2. Yoga, Tai Chi, Meditation
3. Avoid stimulants after midday and avoid sugar after dinner
4. Slow rhythmic breathing at bedtime helps induce relaxation and sleep.
5. Camomile tea or hot milk and honey before bed helps some people sleep.
6. If the mind is overactive, write down thoughts and worries before bed.
7. If not sleeping at night, still get up early and avoid sleeping during the day to induce a natural rhythm.
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Western Tradition Simples
Special formulas to Induce Sleep Potion to Procure Sleep Powder to Promote Sleep Confection to Promote Sleep Troches of Judaeus for Wakefulness Triangular Troches (Unani) Sarpagandha Ghana Vati (Ayurveda) Promote and induce Sleep 1. Lettuce seed mixed with Oil of Roses and applied to the forehead. 2. Beat Mandrake in Vinegar and apply to the face or pulses. 3. “If the waking be caused by heat, take white or black Poppy seed, bray [beat] the same in a montar, pour water therin, and make a milk of it, which give him to drink”. (Brunschwig) Rose water Infusion of Camomile Cordial Decoction (Florentini) Cordial Decoction (French Pharmacopoeia) Syrup of Purslane seed (Mesue) Syrup of Poppy (Mesue) Syrup of Poppy Lesser (Mesue) Exhilarative Syrup (Laurent) Syrup of Chicory and Rhubarb (Nicholas) Confection of Aniseed Confection of Coriander Confection of Water Lilies Tincture of Balm Tincture of Camomile Wormwood Wine Vinegar of Rose Powder to Promote Sleep (Philon) Philonium Romanum (Galen) Diapapaver (Nicholas) Expert Troches of Mahomet Electuary of Pearl (Galen) Triphera Greater (Triphera Magnus) (Nicholas) Requies (Nicholas) Tincture Producing Sleep Laudanum Oil of Rose Oil of Orris Oil of Dill Oil of Poppy Oil of Mandrake Oil of Frogs Ointment of Poplar (Nicholas) Aloeswood Clear the Heart 8 Powder Aloeswood 17 (A gar bcu bdun) Nux Vomica 15 (Ko byi bcu lnga) (Tibetan) Sarpagandha Ghana Vati (Ayurveda) Liver Heat / Liver Qi Stagnation with Heat Infusion of Camomile Infusion of Seven Flowers Tincture of Camomile Syr of Chicory & Rhubarb Syrup of Violet Comp. Cooling Powder of Gems Heart Fire Cordial Decoction (F.P.) Cordial Decoction (Flor.) Powder to Promote Sleep Exhilarative Syrup Clear the Heart 8 Powder Cooling Powder of Gems Heart and Spleen Deficiency Troch for Heart Weakness Aromaticum Rosatum Yin Deficiency Diamargariton Frigidum Yin Deficient Heat Diamargariton Frigidum Cordial Decoction (Flor.) Powder to Promote Sleep Exhilarative Syrup (Laurent) Nightmares Abbots Confect of Rose (Diarrhodon Abbatis) (Nicholas) Powder of Ambergris (Diambra) (Mesue) Hiera Pachi, or Hiera Archigenis |
TCM Classification Insomnia Liver Heat / Liver Qi Stagnation with Heat difficulty falling asleep because of thinking or worrying, insomnia, irritable, depression, headache, grinding teeth during sleep, dizziness, irregular menstruation, red tongue, tooth marks on the tongue. Xiao Yao San Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang Long Dan Xie Gan Tang Heart Fire insomnia, dreams a lot, restless, agitation, poor concentration, palpitations, thirst, desire for cold drinks, bitter taste, mouth ulcers, red complexion, red tongue tip. Huang Lian E Jiao Tang Huang Lian Jie Du Tang Zhu Sha An Shen Wan Ci Zhu Wan Blood Stasis insomnia, irritability, anger, mood swings, low grade fever, fixed pain in the head or upper body, dry skin, purplish lips, tongue and nails, choppy pulse
insomnia, sleeps restlessly, night sweats, agitation, palpitations, heat in the palms and soles, dry mouth, dizziness, tinnitus, forgetfulness, lower back ache. Gui Zhi Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang Huang Lian E Jiao Tang Tian Wan Bu Xin Dan Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan Zhu Sha An Shen Wan Heart and Spleen Deficiency insomnia, palpitations, anxiety, fear, worrying, forgetfulness, poor memory and concentration, fatigue, lethargy, poor appetite, abdominal distension after eating, pale complexion, low pulse. An Shen Ding Zhi Wan Ding Zhi Wan Gui Pi Tang Heart & Kidney Deficiency Loss of Communication between Heart and Kidney Irritability, restless, insomnia, palpitations, night sweats, red tongue, thready and rapid pulse
insomnia, frequent waking, irritability, forgetfulness, dry mouth, thirst, night sweats, sore red eyes, blurred vision, dizziness, palpitations. Bu Gan San Suan Zao Ren Tang Liu Wei Di Huang Wan Da Bu Yin Wan |
Special Formulas
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A POTION FOR INSOMNIA Syrup of Red Poppy 1 oz. Lettuce water 1 ½ oz. MIXTURE FOR INSOMNIA Conserve of Violet 3 oz. of Water Lily 2 oz. Laudanum 3 grains Diamargariton Frigidum ½ scruple PUGILLUS SOMNIFER Water Lily flowers Violet flowers 1 dram Mandrake root ½ dram Dill seed Rose 1 pugil Opium 1 scruple Wrap in red linen and hold in the hand. EMULSION FOR INSOMNIA White Poppy seed Melon seed Endive seed ½ oz. Form an emulsion, express; add 1 oz. of sugar. Mix and take. |
TRIOCHES OF MYRRH AND FRANKINCENSE Myrrh Frankincense 6 drams ea. Opium 4 drams Saffron 6 drams White Henbane seed Black Henbane root-bark 4 drams ea. Powder the Saffron, Seeds and Root-bark, then add the Myrrh and Frankincense in powder, then mix with the Opium dissolved in a litte water and form Pills or Troches weighing half dram. Dose: take one at night with water. (Secrets of Alexis) A BOX TO SMELL Remedium Odoartivum Somniferum Rose seed Opium 1 part ea. Mandrake bark Camphor 2 parts ea. Take 1 dram, powder, sieve, and put in a box to smell. (Pharmacopoeia Persica, 1681) |