I’ve been raving around the office about my switch to Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan, the herbal formula of inspiration behind our blackberry clove-flavored Cool Slumber, one of the two formulas in our Sleep Remedy series.  I kicked melatonin years ago in lieu of Chinese herbs, and the resounding impact has been incredible.  As I’m always testing our formulas, the move to Cool Slumber stemmed more from feeling hot throughout the day, and less for sleep needs, but overall impact on my life has been incredible. 

Given how much my life has been Impacted by this formula (much like all of our formulas, depending on my need), I was inspired to outline the below five ways Cool Slumber, with it’s 16 herbs from Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan, can hopefully help you too. 

1) Cooler Sleep – Cooler Days

I started trying Cool Slumber because I wanted to cool down during the day.  I’m constantly moving throughout the day, from jumping between meetings to hopping between various distinctive projects. I naturally feel constantly too hot as a consequence, and sometimes the “pit stains” prove it (did I just say that?). But I also started noticing that I was in need of cooling off at night, too. 

What began as generally sipping on Cool Slumber throughout the day to help chill out, feeling the cooling impact as I went, quickly impacted my sleep as well.  The pillows and sheets didn’t seem as hot throughout the night, and I seemed to be literally “chilling out” both day and night. 

No more pit stains.  No more hot sheets and pillow cases.

2) Don’t Forget Menopause

Piggybacking on the above, this formula has traditionally been used by women in China during perimenopause to support comfort and balance, particularly when experiencing occasional warmth or restlessness. The herbs help cool and calm, providing a natural benefit to the body when times or flash-like moments run hot.  We recently launched a Menopause Bundle, which combines this formula with our Emotional Balance for a more stable mood and better and cooler sleep. 

3) Overall Better Sleep

Since I began using Cool Slumber regularly, I’ve felt more at ease at bedtime and noticed my sleep felt more continuous and restful overall.  While many sleep supplements doze me off right away (whether melatonin or Ambien, I won’t recommend them to people looking for a long-term solution), by taking the formulas regularly, over time, I naturally fall asleep faster, but more importantly, I don’t seem to wake up nearly as much.  Put another way, the formula (much like Mental Tranquility for the racing 2 AM mind) has supported a more restful sleep experience and smoother nights for me. 

4) Relaxes the Body – and Ultimately the Mind Too

As the name suggests, Cool Slumber is designed to support a calm and relaxed state throughout the day and night. Personally, I’ve noticed feeling less jittery and more at ease during the day, and a greater sense of physical relaxation at night—especially in my legs. I noticed a sense of calm in both body and mind, which helped me feel more centered during the day and evening.

The byproduct of this, for me, seems to be better focus and a calmer mind, as well as a feeling of being more present with my colleagues, friends, and family.  

5) Wake Up Early - and Energized

Finally, and this is true – I’m writing this article at 5:30, after naturally waking up around 4:45.  If there’s one downside, it's that this formula leaves me almost too rested and then ultimately energized the next morning (is that a bad thing?!).  I went to bed last night just after 9 PM, and was naturally up moving before the sun came up. This article will be complete and submitted before I’ve even left for the office, with time to spare for a quick workout before then.  And I'm not alone - Many of our customers feel the same.

So there you have it—five simple ways this time-honored herbal combination continues to support my sense of balance and well-being. If you’re seeking more comfort through warm nights or looking for a calming addition to your routine, this blend may be worth exploring as a gentle, natural option.

Care Consideration: Just a reminder that the above information is not a substitute for medical care and is not a substitute for medical advice or recommendations from a healthcare provider.  This information is not intended to treat, mitigate, or cure any disease.  That said, we encourage you to connect with an Acupuncturist in your community to learn more about this and other Traditional Chinese Medicine options.  If you’ve got questions about Chinese herbal medicine or getting started with an Acupuncturist, feel free to connect with us at hello@mydaolabs.com.

John G. McGarvey is a co-founder of DAO Labs and a regular contributor to The Way. A frequent visitor to China and Asia for both business and pleasure, he is an avid consumer of Chinese medicine. He can be reached at john@mydaolabs.com.