Sleeping and Dreaming in Chinese Medicine

The Importance of Sleep

• Every day we eat, drink and breathe. The Spleen extracts the essence of food and liquid, and the Lungs extract the essence of air. These are combined in the Heart to make Qi and Blood.
  • We use our Qi and Blood each day for regular activity. Any “extra” is stored as post-natal Jing or Essence. This is conceptually similar to how we utilize glucose for energy and store extra as glycogen.
  • The daily energy we use is replenishable, as is the post-natal essence.
  • We have pre-natal Jing or Essence that is the root of Yin and Yang energies in our bodies. It is not replenishable.
  • Sleep is the single most important factor in protecting our Qi and Blood, post-natal essence and pre-natal essence. Lack of sleep depletes our reserves of energy. Restful sleep builds Yang Qi, supports the Kidneys and restores our energy.
  • Insomnia is one of the most common health issues reported by people

Physiology of Sleep in Chinese Medicine

• The Spleen makes Blood, the Heart governs Blood, the Liver stores Blood.
• At night the Blood returns to the Liver and it is full with blood. The amount of blood in the peripheral circulatory system is reduced as we are not physically active.
• Each organ has a “shen” or spirit. The shen of the Liver is the Hun, or the non-corporeal shen/soul/energy. It is a non-physical aspect of our being.
• The Hun needs to be rooted in the Blood of the Liver for sleep to occur. Any imbalance that leads to disturbance of the Hun will cause insomnia. Internally these include:
  • Deficiency of the Spleen, Liver, Heart or Kidneys
  • Rising Heat, Fire or Yang of the Liver or Kidneys
• These imbalances can be rooted in or have relationship with:
  • Dietary choices
  • Stress
  • Emotional issues
  • Sensory inputs and stimulation
  • Musculo-skeletal issues such as neck pain
  • Endocrine issues including menopause and andropause related changes
  • Sleep habits
    • Imbalanced sleep habits are one of the strongest, most prevalent and easily correctible causes of sleep and dream disturbance
      • Evening wind-down routine
      • Pre-sleep practices
      • Herbal medicine
      • Sleep position
      • Morning routine
• Chinese medicine includes a physiological clock, which describes periods of increased and decreased function of the organs. Waking or dreaming at particular times can have relation to specific imbalances.

Dreams

• The frequency, nature and quality of dreams are dependent on the state of the Hun as well as every other system in the body.
• Chinese medicine and dreamwork both have therapeutic value in relation to sleep disturbances and dreams.
  • The most basic level is to help people have restful sleep and peaceful dreams. The middle level is to assist people in understanding the symbolism and meaning in their dreams.  The highest level is to support people in gaining clarity and awareness in their dreams.
  • Meditative practices and dreamwork are important methods for working with sleep and dreams.
  • Everyone dreams every night. Meditation and dream work provide methods for remembering one’s dreams.
• Morning practices of meditation, dreamwork and journaling are important tools for not only remembering but also processing, understanding and integrating dreams into waking life.