In a recent interview with The Guardian on his experience with Coronavirus, everyman actor Tom Hanks mentioned, “There’s really only three things people need to do [to keep healthy]: wear a mask, social distance, wash your hands.”  I’d venture to add one more to that list – get quality sleep.  Not just fall asleep, but achieve 7-8 hours of uninterupted sleep.  Every night.  Could Chinese herbal medicine be part of your nightly routine? It’s been used for centuries in traditional wellness practices.

Sleep is essential for overall well-being—including a healthy immune system. And let’s be honest, we could all use more of both right now (I know I could definitely use more sleep). I’ve written at length about how the traditional Chinese herbal formula Gui Pi Tang—which inspired our Mental Tranquility blend—has supported my own sleep routine and sense of balance. It’s a gentle, natural way to support the body’s nightly rhythm—one of nature’s most powerful gifts.

Nature’s Nightly Reset for Mind & Body

We’ve been granted this beautiful gift to recharge our bodies and minds every night.  Does it stand to reason that when we fall ill, we’re advised to get plenty of rest?  But yet, humans are the only species on the face of the earth that will purposely deprive themselves of sleep – and to what gain?

According to Dr. Eric J. Olson of the Mayo Clinic, “Studies show that people who don’t get quality sleep or enough sleep are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus, such as a common cold virus. Lack of sleep can also affect how fast you recover if you do get sick.”¹ Supporting your body’s natural rhythms with quality rest is one of the most important things you can do for overall wellness.

¹Quoted for educational purposes. This statement is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Note the point about “quality sleep”.  So, ask yourself, how’s the quality of your sleep in light of everything going on in the world?

Different Sleep Types – Different Solutions Required 

Chinese herbal medicine offers approaches that support balance and rest during stressful times.  And on the need for quality sleep, we’ve created two solutions that combine unique Chinese herbal combinations that deliver quality, uninterrupted sleep - depending on the type of sleeper you are:

• Mental Tranquility for the 2 AM stressed sleeper (that was me).  This blend incorporates 12 herbs based on a formula called Gui Pi Tang.
• Cool Slumber for those who sleep hot and agitated. Based on a formula called Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan, there are 16 herbs in this blend that chill you out.

Both formulas incorporate ancient Chinese herbal blends that are used widely by acupuncturists and Chinese medicine practitioners globally, but we’ve added a modern twist with flavors and other ingredients that make the blends flavorful and refreshing.  Many users report feeling more balanced and refreshed during the day when they get quality rest.

A Personal Note

I’m unabashedly a stressed sleeper, and for me, the herbs in Mental Tranquility have been a game changer.  I know this because when I don’t take them, my sleep is a mess, particularly from 2 AM onwards.  And if there’s anything that we don’t need at this moment in time, it's more stressed, exhausted people in the world.

So if you spend a bit more time on our site and learn about the impact Chinese herbal medicine can have on your overall well-being, consider the impact it can have on your sleep.  After all, getting 8 hours of quality sleep is less of an inconvenience than forgetting your mask.

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.