Sleep Well Tonight with Traditional Chinese Medicine

Struggling to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up too early? You’re not alone—insomnia affects about 30% of people worldwide. Poor sleep can weaken your immune system, affect memory and focus, and make you more vulnerable to illness.

Certain groups are more prone to insomnia, including:

  • Females, assigned at birth (especially during pregnancy, menstruation, peri-menopause, or menopause)

  • Older adults (as our internal body clock shifts with age)

  • Those experiencing high levels of stress or anxiety

How Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Can Help

These therapies help calm the nervous system, balance the body’s energy, and improve natural sleep rhythms.

Common Causes of Insomnia in TCM

Liver Qi Stagnation → Fire (Stress-Related Insomnia)

Causes: Stress, emotional distress, spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, and overwork

Signs: Irritability, anger, red face, restlessness, and craving cold drinks

Heart & Spleen Qi Deficiency

Signs: Difficulty falling asleep, waking up frequently, heart palpitations, anxiety, and vivid dreams

Kidney Yin & Heart Yin Deficiency

Signs: Waking up at night, hot flashes, night sweats, heart palpitations, dry mouth and throat

Phlegm-Heat Accumulation

Signs: Restlessness, heavy head, irritability, dizziness, bitter taste, and disturbing dreams

Acupuncture for Sleep

Acupuncture helps regulate the body’s sleep-wake cycle by:

  • Balancing the internal clock (circadian rhythm)

  • Boosting melatonin production (the sleep hormone)

  • Calming the nervous system to reduce stress, anxiety, and heart palpitations

Key Acupuncture Points for Sleep

  • Liver 3 (Taichong): Between the first and second toe—it helps relieve stress and anger and improves sleep patterns.

  • Kidney 6 (Zhaohai): Below the inner ankle—treats night waking, night sweats, dry mouth, and throat.



Herbal Remedy for Better Sleep

Sleep Formula features two natural, time-tested ingredients: jujube seeds, which relieve stress, calm the mind, and promote deep sleep, and gardenia fruit, which reduces irritability, soothes restlessness, and supports a healthy sleep pattern.

Create a Sleep-Friendly Environment

  • Use soft, comfortable bedding.

  • Dim the lights one hour before bed

  • Keep your bedroom clean and clutter-free

  • Try sleep meditations like Dr. Mao’s Sleep Meditation

Eat for Better Sleep

Best foods to support sleep:

  • Melatonin-rich foods such as tart cherries, oats, pistachios, and almonds

  • Magnesium-rich foods such as bananas, dark leafy greens, and tofu

Foods & drinks to avoid before bed:

  • Caffeine, within 8 hours from bedtime

  • Alcohol, within 5 hours from bedtime

  • Heavy meals after 6 PM



Support Your Nervous System

Supplements that promote relaxation:

  • Magnesium Calm – Relieves muscle tension & stress

  • GABA – Reduces anxiety & supports deep sleep



Take charge of your sleep for better health and longevity by making appointments with our highly skilled practitioners for acupuncture and herbal medicine for balance, cupping, and guasha to relax the nervous system, as well as nutritional and lifestyle changes to optimize sleep naturally. With the right TCM approach, you can enjoy deep, restful sleep—naturally!