Suan Zao Ren Tang He Gui Pi Tang — Combined Insomnia Formula

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Conditions treated
5. Cautions

Overview

In clinical practice, the two most important Chinese herbal formulas for insomnia — Suan Zao Ren Tang (Sour Jujube Seed Decoction) and Gui Pi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction) — are frequently combined (He Ji, or combination formula) when a patient presents with features of both their underlying patterns simultaneously. Suan Zao Ren Tang addresses Liver Blood deficiency with Liver Heat disturbing the Shen, while Gui Pi Tang addresses Heart and Spleen Qi and Blood deficiency with the Shen insufficiently nourished. Many patients with chronic insomnia present with both patterns, particularly those with overwork, worry, chronic stress and constitutional Blood deficiency, making this combination one of the most clinically useful composite prescriptions for sleep disorders in contemporary TCM practice.

TCM pattern

This combination is prescribed for insomnia from overlapping Liver Blood deficiency with Heart and Spleen Qi and Blood deficiency, characterised by: difficulty both falling asleep and staying asleep, an overactive worrying mind that cannot quieten, palpitations, fatigue during the day, poor memory, poor appetite, night sweats, a pale tongue, and a thin, weak pulse.

Key herbs

The combination draws on the principal herbs of both formulas:

1. Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphus spinosa seed) — nourishes Heart and Liver Blood and calms the Shen; the most important single herb for insomnia in TCM
2. Huang Qi (Astragalus membranaceus root) — powerfully tonifies Spleen and Heart Qi from Gui Pi Tang
3. Ren Shen (Panax ginseng root) — tonifies Yuan Qi and Spleen Qi
4. Long Yan Rou (Dimocarpus longan flesh) — nourishes Heart Blood and calms the Shen from Gui Pi Tang
5. Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena asphodeloides rhizome) — clears Liver Heat disturbing the Shen from Suan Zao Ren Tang
6. Yuan Zhi (Polygala tenuifolia root) — calms the Shen and promotes Heart-Kidney communication
7. Fu Ling (Poria cocos) — tonifies Spleen, resolves Dampness and calms the Heart-Mind
8. Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis root) — nourishes Blood and the Heart

Conditions treated

1. Chronic insomnia with overlapping Liver Blood deficiency and Heart-Spleen deficiency patterns — difficulty both falling and staying asleep with worry and palpitations
2. Anxiety with insomnia in overtired, overworked patients with Blood deficiency
3. Burnout with insomnia where both Liver Blood and Heart-Spleen deficiency are present
4. Post-partum insomnia and anxiety from Blood loss and overwork depleting both Liver and Heart-Spleen
5. Menopausal insomnia where Liver Blood deficiency is combined with Heart-Spleen Qi and Blood deficiency

Cautions

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Online herbal consultations are available. See the prices page for costs.