As Chinese herbal medicine like Gui Pi Tang is traditionally valued for a wide range of wellness benefits, one of its distinguishing features is to support restful sleep and help maintain healthy sleep patterns. These features highlight why these formulas are traditionally used to support relaxation without causing sedation. A renowned scholar named Wang Jianzhi, once said that Chinese herbal medicine are non-habit forming and traditionally used to support emotional well-being and mental balance.

Chinese herbal medicine has traditionally been used to support restful sleep by addressing underlying imbalances. One of our clients has shared that she appreciates 'Mental Tranquility' for helping to support better sleep quality, which positively affected her personal relationships.

A Working Mother’s Battle

When you can’t sleep, it can be horrible, sometimes developing so gradually that we don’t even recognize that we’re falling into a “bad sleep pattern” when in fact we are. This was precisely the case with a recent patient who sought me out for general issues of fatigue that she attributed to the challenge of trying to succeed at a demanding job and raising three young children.

Since the birth of her eldest child, who is eight years old, she has been longing to get a restful night's sleep. Till then, she considers herself a “light sleeper”. When I inquired further, it was clear that she nonetheless had Occasional nervousness or restlessness related to sleep. 

“Getting through the day was always a struggle, and she occasionally experienced mental fatigue”

Even though her husband had taken on most of the nighttime responsibilities with the younger children, this patient often woke up at night, did not go back to sleep easily, and felt exhausted when she woke in the morning. Getting through the day was always a struggle, and she occasionally experienced mental fatigue. In the patient’s eyes, she was just suffering from the hardships of modern family life and motherhood.

It seemed clear that she might notice improvements after incorporating herbal support into her routine. Before that, I need to examine her properly. She complained that she remains cold throughout the day, which further explains that she does not feel hot at night. She shared that her mind remained active at night, making it difficult to relax fully into sleep, wondering whether will she would be able to get a peaceful sleep to handle everything on her agenda.

When I inquired about her health concerns, I got to know that she had a history of occasional digestive discomfort that was much manageable now. Her menstrual cycle was very regular, and her periods relatively uneventful. I examined her tongue, and it was pale and with a thin white coating

Was She a Hot or Cold Sleeper?

In Chinese medicine theory, chronic sleep issues are usually attributed to some sort of “deficiency” (an important Chinese herbal medicine concept). In some cases, the patient will also have one or more clear signs of heat, such as a strong sensation of heat accompanied by sweating, vivid dreams or nightmares, constipation, cankers sores, irritability or anger (in this case, our Physical Tranquility, based on Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan, would be the more appropriate formula for this type of sleeper).

This patient, however, had almost no signs of heat. Instead, her fatigue, stress, the history of her digestive issues, the color of her tongue, and the fact that her disrupted sleep was brought on by the heavy demands of motherhood and work, suggested a pattern of Qi (and Blood) deficiency. Mental Tranquility, based on Gui Pi Tang, was clearly a good fit, and she decided to try it.

After Two Months, She Realized How Much Happier She Was 

Almost immediately, she noticed some benefits. On the very first night of taking Gui Pi Tang, she slept quite deeply. Was it a fluke? Over the next couple of nights, she noticed that when she took Gui Pi Tang, it supported her ability to return to sleep more easily. 

The restlessness and overactive mind at night gradually lessened, and she began sleeping more soundly. Over time, she also noticed two other fascinating developments. First, she began to notice that she felt more emotionally grounded. She was no longer stressed by the fear of sleeplessness at night, but even more importantly, her mood during the day improved dramatically.

Several months after she began, she remarked on how much happier she was, and that the whole family was reaping the benefits. In retrospect, she now realized she had been experiencing occasional emotional unease. Half jokingly, she told me that Mental Tranquility may have “saved her marriage.” I was delighted to hear this report, but not surprised since I have used this formula for patients with similar patterns before. But her second discovery did truly surprise me.

A Chinese Herbal Medicine Explanation

How can this one traditional formula support a wide range of wellness goals? To answer this question, let’s explore the classic theory of "Restore the Spleen Decoction" (or GU Pi Tang in Chinese)- the secret behind Mental Tranquility.

Conventional Chinese herbal medicine textbooks were traditionally used to promote emotional calm and reduce mental fatigue. In Chinese medicine, this combination of symptoms is caused by a “Spleen Qi and Heart Blood deficiency.“ Although this expression may be perplexing to the lay reader, what is fascinating here is the way it describes the interconnectedness of mind and body, which Westerners consider separate entities.

Occasional stress, nervousness, and fatigue are associated with the spleen; however, according to Chinese medicine, occasional forgetfulness, disrupted sleep, and emotional unease may be linked to imbalances in the Heart system. By addressing low “Spleen Qi” flow, this formula supports healthy digestion, promotes natural energy levels, and helps maintain mental clarity, helping the body adapt to occasional stress and support emotional balance.

By supporting healthy 'Heart Blood' levels, the "Spirit", as understood in traditional Chinese medicine - a term that broadly refers to one’s mental and emotional faculties - is settled and takes up its proper residence in the Heart.  This helps support better sleep quality and promotes mental clarity.

With support for healthy Qi flow, this herbal formula is traditionally used to promote circulation and overall menstrual comfort, making it a gentle option for times when lighter blood flow is experienced, such as at the beginning or end of a menstrual cycle.

Furthermore, improving the flow of Qi leads to blood creation, thus supporting the body’s natural recovery processes following physical exertion. Most Chinese books believe that Restore the Spleen Decoction is a blood-boosting formula. While it may not nourish Blood in the same traditional sense as Si Wu Tang (Dao Women’s Formula) used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to nourish Qi and support overall vitality.

At each visit, patients may share updates on the flow of 'Spleen Qi' and any signs of Heart Blood Deficiency. 'Mental Tranquility' is traditionally used to support individuals experiencing disrupted sleep and may be beneficial for those seeking overall emotional balance and well-being.

Though it does not regulate all kinds of disrupted sleep patterns (for this, read my other article on the comparison between DAO Mental Tranquility and Physical Tranquility). But if you think it’s the right formula for you, then it may lighten your evenings, and some other important things, like your marital life.

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 on hello@mydaolabs.com.

Dr. Eric Karchmer is a practicing Chinese medical doctor, medical anthropologist, and co-founder and Chief Doctor of Chinese Medicine for DAO Labs. From 1995-2000, Eric studied at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and today is both a licensed acupuncturist and professor at Appalachian State University. Eric can be reached at drkarchmer@mydaolabs.com.