Clinical Experience of HAN Mingxiang in Treating Insomnia in the Elderly Based on the Theory of “Deficiency Leading to Stasis” / 中医杂志

ABSTRACT

This paper summarized Professor HAN Mingxiang's clinical experience in treating insomnia in the elderly based on the theory of “deficiency leading to stasis”. It is believed that the core pathogenesis of insomnia in the elderly lies in the weakness of the zang-fu （脏腑） organs and the obstruction of the heart vessel. He advocates the basic treatment principles of supplementing deficiency and dispelling stasis， calming the heart and mind. For insomnia in the elderly with a pattern of heart-spleen deficiency， modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction （补阳还五汤） and Guipi Decoction （归脾汤） could be prescribed to tonify qi， nourish blood， and calm the heart and spirit. For pattern of liver-kidney yin deficiency， modified Qiju Dihuang Decoction （杞菊地黄汤） and Suanzaoren Decoction （酸枣仁汤） could be prescribed to nourish yin， clear heat， cool blood， and tranquilize mind. For pattern of kidney yang deficiency， modified Yougui Pill （右归丸） and Taohong Siwu Decoction （桃红四物汤） could be prescribed to warm yang， dispel cold， eliminate stagnation， and tranquilize the spirit. For pattern of phlegm-dampness stagnation， Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction （血府逐瘀汤） and Wendan Decoction （温胆汤） could be prescribed to resolve phlegm， dispel dampness， eliminate stagnation， and tranquilize the mind.