酸枣仁汤

Suan Zao Ren (spine date seed) 15 g + Zhi Mu (anemarrhena rhizome) 6 g + Fu Ling (poria) 6 g + Chuan Xiong (chuanxiong rhizome) 6 g + Zhi Gan Cao (honey-fried licorice root) 3 g = 36 g.

Converted to 5:1 granules:

36 g raw herb ÷ 5 = 7.2 g granules.

Granule dosage: Take in 3 doses dissolved in warm water, about 2.5 g per dose. (Taking one dose shortly before sleep gives a better sleep-promoting effect.)

5. Cautions and clinical notes

• [Contraindications]:
  1. This formula is used for insomnia due to Liver blood deficiency with internal disturbance by deficiency heat. It is not suitable for excess-pattern insomnia due to effulgent heart fire or internal disturbance by phlegm-heat (manifesting as vexation, irritability, bitter taste in the mouth, and yellow greasy tongue coating).
  2. Chuan Xiong in the formula is acrid and dispersing; use with caution in pregnancy.
• [Timing of administration]: To enhance efficacy, it is recommended to take 1-2 hours before sleep.
• Modern applications: Widely used for insomnia due to neurasthenia, cardiac neurosis, menopausal syndrome, anxiety disorder, hyperthyroidism, and similar conditions, where the pattern is Liver blood deficiency with internal disturbance by deficiency heat.
• Duration of use: Insomnia is mostly a chronic condition; a certain duration of use is needed for the effect to become apparent, to be taken as advised by a practitioner.