Trouble Sleeping? Try this.
Going through periods of interrupted sleep takes a significant toll on body, mind & emotions. There are different expressions of insomnia and different ways of quantifying insomnia. No matter what you call it though, it’s awful, stressful and impacts daily living.
I have experienced insomnia on and off for over three decades. I’m very grateful to say that my sleep is the best it’s ever been, yet there are still times when I don’t sleep well. There are internal causes such overwhelm, enjoying too much caffeine and worry that keep my mind and body from settling. And then there are external factors like full moons, seasonal shifts and strong winds that also impact my sleep.
Over the years, I have tried all manner of sleep aids in various combinations. Some worked better than others, yet I believe that consistent acupuncture, cranial sacral, psychotherapy, eating plenty of healthy fats, getting enough animal protein, meditation and unplugging before bed have helped heal the the roots of which my insomnia was a symptom. This confluence of modalities along with shifts in diet has been the lasting combination for my highly sensitive nervous system.
That said, there are still a few things that I do every night before bed:
1 Tablespoon of Magnesium Calm in herbal tea or a cup of hot water. Magnesium is a vital mineral and most women are deficient in it. Magnesium helps relax smooth muscle tissue throughout the body, helping with settling down.
Roman chamomile oil on specific acupuncture point (read on).
Breathing or qi gong for sleep. Future post.
Join us for a FREE Class for Spring Wellness
In Chinese Medicine, being able to fall asleep and stay asleep requires adequate yin and blood (a yin substance). Yin is responsible for cooling, calming, moistening & processing. When there is sufficient yin one can fall asleep easily and remain asleep.
But as we age the yin principle naturally declines. Some symptoms of insufficient yin include anxiety, dryness, wrinkles, loss of collagen, hot flashes, night sweats, menopause, increased irritability, racing thoughts, poor memory, heart palpitations and/or insomnia (this is not an exhaustive list).
At the height of my insomnia, my acupuncturist recommended that I anoint specific acupuncture points with Roman chamomile essential oil to help with (my) insomnia and its underlying causes. You may already be familiar with the darling yellow-faced, white-petaled flowers of chamomile and the calming effects of a cup of chamomile tea. Chamomile is revered as a gentle herb that soothes the nerves, unwinds tension & supports digestion. The difference between a cup of chamomile tea and the essential oil of chamomile is potency. Essential oils are just that: They are the concentrated essence or jing of the plant, potent vibrational medicine that convey a specific energetic message to the body, mind and spirit.
In Chinese Medicine, Roman chamomile has a specific affinity with nourishing liver yin and blood. Anointing specific acupuncture points with Roman chamomile builds liver blood, clears heat from the liver, quells wind and harmonizes liver over-acting on the stomach.
Try this before bed:
Place 2-3 drops of Roman chamomile essential oil in your palm. (For those with sensitive skin, test one area before proceeding with the protocol.)
Dip index finger into the oil and anoint behind both ears (acupuncture point triple energizer 17).
Next, anoint the space between your eyebrows (acupuncture point governor vessel 24.5).
Lastly, anoint the following acupuncture points on both feet: kidney 6, spleen 4 & liver 3 on both feet.
With the remaining oil, rub both palms together and take 3-5 slow deep breathes. Turn lights out and nighty nights.
If you wake in the night, repeat the process.
Please remember that all symptoms, including insomnia, are expressions of disharmony. No two cases of insomnia are ever the same. If you suffer from occasional or chronic insomnia, regular acupuncture treatments, shifts in diet and other lifestyle practices can be extremely helpful. Using Roman chamomile essential oil is just one way to address insomnia.
Schedule an acupuncture appointment or dietary consultation here.
Let me know what you notice. I’m here for your questions.
With ease and joy,
Martha
