Nowadays, people of all ages attach great importance to the maintenance of their bodies. Some people believe that precious Chinese medicine such as ginseng can effectively regulate the body and nourish it. However, not everyone is suitable for consuming ginseng. Let's take a look below:
[How should insomnia patients consume ginseng for their health?]
According to traditional Chinese medicine, insomnia is a type of illness characterized by the inability to obtain normal sleep, which is caused by emotional disturbances, diet-related internal injuries, post-illness or old age, insufficient innate endowment, weak heart and timidity, and other factors that lead to inadequate nourishment or restlessness of the mind. The following Chinese medicines can effectively treat insomnia:
1. Lily.
Take lily and decoct it in water, and take it all at once before going to bed at night. It is suitable for insomnia patients with symptoms of yin deficiency and lung dryness, mental confusion, and lack of nourishment of the heart and mind.
2. Sour jujube kernel.
Crush the sour jujube kernel and decoct it in water, and take it all at once before going to bed at night. It is suitable for insomnia patients who are restless and anxious.
3. Arborvitae seed.
Decoct the arborvitae seed in water, and take it all at once before going to bed at night. It is suitable for insomnia patients with symptoms of dizziness, blurred complexion, pale lips and nails, palpitations, night sweats, and constipation caused by inadequate blood nourishment of the heart.
4. Dragon bone.
Decoct the dragon bone in water, and take it all at once before going to bed at night. It is suitable for insomnia patients with symptoms of restlessness of the mind, hot flashes and night sweats, nocturnal emission, and palpitations caused by yin deficiency and yang hyperactivity.
5. Polygonum multiflorum vine.
Decoct the Polygonum multiflorum vine in water, and take it all at once before going to bed at night. It is suitable for insomnia patients with symptoms such as frequent dreaming, excessive sweating, and joint pain.
6. Albizzia bark.
Decoct the albizzia bark in water, and take it all at once before going to bed at night. It is suitable for insomnia patients with symptoms of depression, restlessness, irritability, and forgetfulness caused by emotional depression.
7. Polygala root.
Decoct the polygala root in water, and take it all at once before going to bed at night. It is suitable for insomnia patients with symptoms such as forgetfulness, mental confusion, cough with phlegm, breast distension and pain, restlessness of the mind, and frequent dreaming.
In addition, the treatment methods and types of medicine for insomnia vary depending on the condition of the patient. Experts point out that for insomnia patients with difficulty falling asleep, short-acting drugs should be used. These drugs have a short half-life and can make patients fall asleep quickly without feeling intoxicated the next day. For insomnia patients with difficulty maintaining sleep and frequent nightmares, short-acting or intermediate-acting drugs can be used, which can deepen slow-wave sleep. For insomnia patients with early awakening, intermediate-acting or long-acting drugs should be used, which can prolong the total sleep time.
[Five recommended Chinese herbal teas for calming the mind]
1. Longan and lotus seed soup:
Take two taels of longan and lotus seeds and cook them into a soup. It has the effects of nourishing the heart, calming the mind, invigorating the spleen, and nourishing the kidneys. It is most suitable for middle-aged and elderly people and those who suffer from long-term insomnia.
2. Three-ingredient sleep-inducing soup:
Take three qian of sour jujube kernel, one qian of dwarf lilyturf root, and one qian of polygala root, decoct them in 500 milliliters of water until it becomes 50 milliliters, and take it before going to bed. These three herbs all have the effects of calming the mind, soothing the nerves, and sedating, and the mixture has a hypnotic effect.
3. Sour jujube kernel soup:
Crush three qian of sour jujube kernel, decoct it in water, and take it one hour before going to bed every night. Sour jujube kernel can inhibit the central nervous system and has a stable sedative effect. It is effective for insomnia or restlessness caused by blood deficiency.
4. Calming the mind soup:
Take three qian of longan flesh and three qian of Chinese salvia root, decoct them in two bowls of water until it becomes half a bowl, and take it 30 minutes before going to bed. It can achieve a sedative effect, especially for insomnia patients with heart-blood deficiency and exhaustion.
5. Calming the mind soup:
Steam five qian of raw lily until cooked, add an egg yolk, stir it with 200 milliliters of water, add a little rock sugar, boil it, and then stir it with 50 milliliters of cool boiled water. Drink it one hour before going to bed.
[Insomnia patients should be cautious when using ginseng]
Ginseng is known as the king of herbs. According to the "Shennong's Materia Medica", it is mainly used to tonify the five internal organs, calm the spirit, relieve palpitations, dispel evil qi, improve vision, and invigorate the mind. It can also be used for long-term consumption to lighten the body and prolong life. Ginseng can strengthen the heart, protect the myocardium, regulate blood pressure, blood lipid and blood sugar levels; regulate the nervous system, improve memory, and improve cerebral blood supply and metabolism; enhance immune function and enhance adaptability; and protect hematopoietic function. Based on these benefits, later generations summarized the efficacy of ginseng as "greatly replenishing vitality and stabilizing pulse and preventing syncope", and it can be used for resuscitation in shock. Modern research has also found that ginseng has whitening and anti-aging effects.
Generally speaking, when we consume ginseng, we start with a small dose and gradually increase it, taking 2-3 grams of sliced ginseng per day. This allows the effective ingredients to dissolve slowly in saliva and be swallowed along with the residue. It can also be steeped in water or alcohol, or ground into powder and consumed.
However, although ginseng has so many benefits, it is not suitable for everyone. It is not suitable for people with insomnia, neurasthenia, mental disorders, high blood pressure, or renal insufficiency, as it may worsen the symptoms. Patients with gastrointestinal diseases or stones should use it with caution or take it in small amounts according to the doctor's advice. It is generally not recommended for children, pregnant women, and lactating women to consume ginseng. If they are indeed qi deficient, they can take it under the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine. Excessive consumption of ginseng can lead to "ginseng abuse syndrome", which may manifest as symptoms such as nervous excitement, insomnia, and increased blood pressure, as well as depression, decreased appetite, hypotension, and allergies in some people.
