Modern life’s relentless pace is fueling a silent crisis—insomnia. A licensed Taiwanese TCM practitioner reveals three common root causes and offers natural tea remedies to restore deep, restorative sleep.
HONG KONG – Millions of people struggle to fall asleep or achieve restorative deep sleep, a problem now recognized as a public health concern linked to stress, poor diet, and emotional strain. On April 16, 2025, licensed traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and YouTuber “77老大” (77 Lao Da) released a video breaking down the three primary causes of insomnia in modern life and prescribing three targeted herbal tea formulas. The remedies aim to address digestive issues, emotional turbulence, and underlying constitutional imbalances—without reliance on pharmaceutical sleeping pills.
How Poor Sleep Affects Body and Mind
Chronic sleep deficiency doesn’t just leave you groggy. Research has linked insufficient deep sleep to a cascade of health problems: increased cardiovascular risk, hormonal disruption, mood instability, accelerated skin aging, and a drop in leptin—the hormone that regulates appetite. That decline often triggers overeating, raising obesity risk significantly. According to the practitioner, the body relies on nightly deep sleep to repair tissues and reset the nervous system; when that cycle is broken, both mental focus and physical resilience suffer.
Root Cause 1: Gastrointestinal Disharmony
The first culprit identified is poor digestive health. Diets high in salt and oil, along with late-night snacking, can lead to belching, bloating, and acid reflux. The TCM view is that an unsettled stomach directly disturbs sleep quality. To counter this, 77 Lao Da recommends a Stomach-Nourishing Sleep Tea (養胃助眠茶). Simmer the following in 500ml of water for 10 minutes:
- Hawthorn berries (10g)
- Barley sprout (5g)
- Solomon’s seal (3g)
- Medicated leaven (3g)
- Licorice root (1g)
- Rock sugar to taste
This blend is said to ease indigestion and reduce nighttime discomfort, creating a calm foundation for sleep.
Root Cause 2: Emotional Strain and Stress
The second major trigger is emotional overload. Work deadlines, academic pressure, and daily anxieties leave many people lying in bed with a racing mind. For those whose insomnia stems from worry or low mood, the practitioner suggests Gan Mai Da Zao Tea (甘麥大棗茶). This classic TCM formula is known for its calming properties:
- Licorice root (3g)
- Wheat grains (10g)
- Red dates (2 pieces)
Boil with 500ml of water for ten minutes. The tea is believed to soothe the spirit and reduce irritability, helping the mind transition into sleep.
Root Cause 3: Yin Deficiency with Internal Heat
The third pattern involves what TCM calls “yin deficiency”—a shortage of body fluids and essential substances that can manifest as hot palms and soles, thirst, dark urine, and lower back weakness. This condition often produces a restless, heat-driven insomnia. For such cases, the recommended remedy is Yin-Nourishing Mind-Clearing Tea (養陰除煩茶). Use 600ml of water and boil for ten minutes:
- Sour jujube seed (6g)
- Rehmannia root (6g)
- Licorice root (3g)
- Anemarrhena root (3g)
- Poria mushroom (3g)
This combination aims to cool internal heat, calm the mind, and restore emotional equilibrium.
Practical Takeaways for Readers
While these teas may help, experts emphasize that lasting sleep improvement requires addressing lifestyle habits. The practitioner advises avoiding heavy meals three hours before bed, establishing a consistent wind-down routine, and managing daily stress through exercise or mindfulness. Anyone experiencing chronic insomnia should consult a qualified healthcare professional—TCM or otherwise—to tailor treatment to their specific constitution.
Actionable Steps: Try one tea aligned with your dominant symptoms for one week. Note any changes in sleep latency, duration, and morning refreshment. Combine with a digital curfew (no screens 30 minutes before bed) for best results.
As Hong Kong’s fast-paced urban environment continues to push sleep to the margins, these herbal solutions offer a low-risk, culturally rooted alternative to medication—one that addresses the whole person, not just the symptom.