Sleep is a physiological need for the human body and an important means of maintaining good health. It promotes physical growth and development, protects the brain, relieves fatigue, restores energy, and enhances immunity.
Insomnia is often caused by dysfunction of the five internal organs, with the heart, liver, and kidneys being the main ones. Insomnia can be classified into different types based on the different causes. The clinical types include deficiency of heart and kidney, disharmony between the heart and kidneys, liver stagnation transforming into fire, and phlegm-fire disturbing the heart. Here are some dietary therapies for insomnia.
【Lotus Seed, Longan, and Sour Jujube Kernel Soup】
【Recipe】: 10g longan, 20g lotus seeds, 5g sour jujube kernels, 10 dried jujubes.
【Preparation】: If there is excessive sweating, add 5g schisandra chinensis; if there is obvious physical weakness, add 10g ganoderma lucidum; if there is restlessness, add 10g lily; if there is obvious spleen deficiency, add 30g Chinese yam. Cook together and consume as a soup.
【Functions】: This recipe is suitable for those with deficiency of the heart and spleen, poor appetite, weakness, and forgetfulness, as well as insomnia.
【Lily Porridge】
【Recipe】: 30g fresh lily, 50g glutinous rice, sugar to taste.
【Functions】: This recipe has the effects of nourishing the middle, moistening the lungs, clearing the heart, and calming the mind.
【Preparation】: Cook the glutinous rice porridge and add the lily when the rice is cooked. Add sugar to taste. If fresh lilies are not available, 10g dried lilies can be used instead, and cook them directly with the rice to make porridge.
【Dosage】: Consume warm porridge twice a day, in the morning and evening.
【Licorice, Jujube, and Wheat Soup】
【Recipe】: 10g licorice, 5 dried jujubes, 10g wheat.
【Functions】: This soup can be consumed by those with insufficient heart qi, yin deficiency and blood deficiency, insomnia, night sweats, restlessness, sadness, and a tendency to cry.
【Preparation】: Soak the three ingredients in cold water and then simmer them over low heat. Repeat the process twice and combine the decoctions.
【Dosage】: Consume warm soup twice a day, in the morning and evening, and eat the jujubes.
【Jujube and Poria Porridge】
【Recipe】: 5 dried jujubes, 50g millet, 10g poria cocos.
【Functions】: This recipe has the effects of strengthening the spleen, nourishing the heart, calming the mind, and improving intelligence.
【Preparation】: Cook the poria cocos in water, filter out the liquid, and use the poria cocos liquid to cook the porridge with jujubes and millet.
【Dosage】: Consume porridge twice a day, in the morning and evening.
【Mulberry and Lily Porridge】
【Recipe】: 100g fresh mulberries, 50g fresh lily.
【Functions】: This recipe is suitable for those with disharmony between the heart and kidneys, restlessness, and difficulty falling asleep. It is not suitable for those with spleen and stomach deficiency and loose stools.
【Preparation】: Wash the two ingredients and boil them in water.
【Dosage】: Consume once a day.
【Scallion and Jujube Drink】
【Recipe】: 20 dried jujubes, 10g white scallions.
【Functions】: This recipe is suitable for those with palpitations, fatigue, poor appetite, and restlessness.
【Preparation】: Break open the dried jujubes, put them in a pot with the scallions, and simmer in water. After 15-20 minutes, take the liquid.
【Dosage】: Consume warm drink once in the evening.
