Chronic insomnia affects about 8 to 10 percent of Americans, and alters how people feel and perform during the day. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), sleep is part of the natural rhythm of yin and yang in the body. Yin and yang are opposites: When we sleep, yin is the dominant force in the body. In the day, when we are active, yang dominates. Insomnia is a sign of a disruption to one’s natural rhythm of yin and yang.
Try this sleep promoting tea recipe:
INGREDIENTS
• 15g poria
• 10g dried lily bulbs
• 10g lotus seeds
• 6g spine date seeds
• 6g dried longans
• 3 red dates
• 3 dried chrysanthemum flowers
• 1 dried French rose
• 1 tsp brown sugar, or as desired
• 1/2 tsp dried lavender
METHOD
• Bring 300ml water to boil in a pot.
• Add all ingredients except chrysanthemum flowers, French rose and lavender.
• Lower the fire and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Finally, add all three types of flowers, and let the tea steep before serving.
• Note: Take a whiff of the flowers when these are placed into the tea as the fragrance is regarded as a form of aromatherapy.
Source: Ms Pansy Yeo, TCM Practitioner from Chong Hoe Health Products Photo: Matthias Ho for The Straits Times
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*This information is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment. Please consult your medical care provider before using herbal medicine, particularly if you have a known medical condition or if you are nursing or pregnant.