Can’t Sleep? How Chinese Medicine Can Help with Insomnia
Struggling to fall asleep? Waking during the night thinking about bills or waking too early in the morning? You’re not alone — insomnia is one of the most common issues we see in clinic, and it can affect everything from your mood and energy to your immune system, digestion and mental clarity.
While modern medicine often turns to sleeping pills and melatonin, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) takes a more holistic, long-term approach. Through acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, we aim to treat the root of the imbalance causing your insomnia — not just the symptoms.
Understanding Insomnia in Chinese Medicine
In Chinese Medicine, sleep disturbances are seen as a disruption of the body’s internal body clock. There are several patterns that can lead to insomnia, and each person may experience it differently:
Difficulty falling asleep may indicate anxiety, stress or hormonal issues. This is often related to the body clock of the Heart and Liver in Chinese medicine
Waking frequently in the night can also be linked to anxiety and stress or overheating in the evening, or even frequent urination. This often relates to the Liver and Kidneys.
Early morning waking and difficulty going back to sleep . Can relate to low mood or depression, or fluctuating cortisol levels.
Vivid dreams or nightmares Is often attributed to heat in the chest and mind, like when you have a fever and have nightmares.
Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all remedy, we take the time to understand your full health picture — sleep patterns, digestion, emotional state, menstrual cycle (if relevant), and more — to find the underlying cause.
How Acupuncture Helps with Sleep
Acupuncture works by gently regulating the nervous system, calming the mind, and supporting the body’s natural ability to restore balance. It stimulates points on the body that correspond with organ systems linked to sleep and emotional health.
Patients often report feeling deeply relaxed during and after acupuncture, and many begin sleeping better after just a few treatments. Regular acupuncture can:
Lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels
Activate the parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest mode)
Promote melatonin production
Improve sleep duration and quality
Chinese Herbal Medicine for Insomnia
Customised herbal formulas are a cornerstone of Chinese Medicine treatment. Unlike pharmaceutical sleep aids, Chinese herbs aim to nourish what’s deficient, calm what’s overactive, and restore internal balance without sedation or grogginess.
Some commonly used herbal formulas for insomnia include:
Suan Zao Ren Tang (Ziziphus) – nourishes Heart Blood and calms the Shen
Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang – for stress and anxiety
Gui Zhi Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang – For vivid dreams and night sweating
Each prescription is tailored specifically to your constitution and symptoms. This individualized approach means better long-term outcomes, especially if your insomnia is tied to stress, hormonal changes, digestive issues or chronic illness.
Supporting Your Sleep Naturally
Alongside acupuncture and herbs, we’ll often recommend lifestyle tips to improve sleep hygiene:
Avoid screens at least 30–60 minutes before bed
Eat your last meal at least 2 hours before bedtime
Keep a regular sleep-wake schedule
Try calming rituals like meditation, journaling or a foot soak
Avoid overstimulation (e.g. too much caffeine, alcohol or stress in the evenings)
Sleep Shouldn’t Be a Struggle
If you’ve been lying awake night after night, it’s time to try a different approach. Chinese Medicine has been helping people sleep deeply and wake refreshed for thousands of years. Whether your insomnia is recent or long-term, we can help you get to the root cause and support your return to restorative rest.
Ready to Sleep Better?
Book an appointment with one of our qualified Chinese Medicine practitioners today and start your journey to better sleep — naturally.