Dr. Ding Ganren Treat Insomnia Case
Insomnia is a sleep disorder where a patient has trouble falling or staying asleep, waking up often, and having trouble going back to sleep. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine point of view, stress, depression, overthinking, overeating, weak body constitution, and chronic illness, etc. will all cause insomnia. There are many ways to help insomnia, like acupuncture, herbal medicine, yoga, meditation, and more. Today, I would like to share one insomnia case treated by my great ancestor, Ding Ganren.
A senior patient has hypertension, insomnia, forgetfulness, also feels fatigued. The tongue is thin sticky, the pulse is wiry, slippery, and weak. Dr. Ding considered this patient has both Qi and Yin deficiencies, Liver Yang rising with Phlegm disturbance.
The formula he prescribed is as follows:
Tai Zi Shen 3g
Xian Ban Xia 6g
Bai Gui Shen 6g
Lu Dou Yi 9g
Bao Fu Shen 9g
Bo Ju Hong 2g
Sheng Bai Shao 6g
Chao Hang Ju 4.5g
Chao Zhu Ru 4.5g
Yuan Zhi Rou 3g
Tian Zhu Huang 4.5g
Shi Chang Pu 2g
Dan Zhu Li 50g
**Add two drops of ginger juice when drinking the formula
Dr. Ding treated this patient with a modified Wen Dan Tang. Adding Tian Zhu Huang to clear the heat and resolve phlegm, Dang Gui, Bai Shao to nourish the blood; Hang Ju, Lu Dou Yi to disperse wind and calm Liver Yang; Tai Zi Shen, Fu Shen, Chang Pu, and Yuan Zhi formed Ding Zhi Wan can tonify Qi, nourish the heart and calm the mind. The patient’s condition improved after taking the herbal formula for one week. A good understanding of the patient’s condition and accurate diagnosis is the key to achieve a simple, light prescription style!
