Waking up in the middle of the night... That insomnia might actually be an SOS from your gastrointestinal tract

Hello everyone. This is Yuyu Kampo.

“I suddenly wake up at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning.”
“Once I wake up, I can't get back to sleep, and I feel sluggish from the morning.”

Are you suffering from such 'middle-of-the-night awakenings'? Actually, in the world of Kampo, there is a saying: 'If the stomach is not in harmony, sleep will not be peaceful.' This means that if your stomach is not in good condition, you cannot sleep soundly. Sleep problems often start in the 'gut'.

The relationship between 'Blood' and the gastrointestinal tract that determines sleep quality

In Kampo, it is believed that for maintaining sleep quality, it is important that a nutrient called 'Blood' fills the heart. The reason the heart can rest peacefully at night is that this 'Blood' cushion gently wraps around the spirit.

However, if the gastrointestinal tract (spleen and stomach), which is the energy factory, is weak, it cannot produce enough 'Blood' from food. A heart with a thin cushion becomes sensitive to minor stimuli and changes in body temperature, causing the reaction of 'suddenly waking up in the middle of the night'.

Do you have any of these signs?

There are characteristic signs of 'insomnia caused by the gastrointestinal tract'.

• You have many dreams, or you wake up from scary dreams

• You get tired easily during the day and are prone to dizziness

• Your stomach feels bloated immediately after eating, or you don't have much appetite

• You feel anxious or tend to worry about small things

These are states where both the 'heart (mental)' and the 'spleen (gastrointestinal tract)' are exhausted. In Kampo, this is called 'Heart-Spleen Deficiency'.

Nurturing the 'gut' to regain deep sleep

To improve your sleep, let's first prepare for sleep starting from the gastrointestinal tract.

1. Lower the 'factory shutters' 3 hours before bed
   Eating right before bed forces your gastrointestinal tract to work overtime. When the body's energy is used for digestion, the brain and nerves cannot relax, leading to shallow sleep. It is ideal to finish dinner as early and as lightly as possible.

2. Pressing the 'Zusanli' acupoint
   The 'Zusanli' point, located on the outside below the kneecap, is a representative acupoint for regulating gastrointestinal function. Gently massaging this before bed releases tension in the gut and improves circulation throughout the body.

3. If you want to borrow the power of Kampo
   Kihito, which cares for both gastrointestinal weakness and anxiety, is often chosen, or Kamikihito, which adds care for irritability and hot flashes. Also, for those whose main issues are stomach upset or loss of appetite, Rikkunshito may be used to first build a foundation.KihitoandKamikihitoare often chosen. Also, for those whose main issues are stomach upset or loss of appetite,Rikkunshitomay be used to first build a foundation.

In herbal medicine, dried jujube, known as Taiso, works to soothe the mind while caring for your stomach and intestines.

Conclusion

Instead of just thinking, "Maybe my pillow is wrong" or "It must be stress," try listening to how your stomach is feeling for once.

Try eating a slightly lighter dinner. That alone might make waking up tomorrow morning feel surprisingly easier.

May your days be even a little more energetic and comfortable.

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Yuyu Kampo