In yin xu with insomnia, which herb would you use?

• A. Tian Men Dong
• B. Bai He
• C. Mai Men Dong
• D. Sheng Di Huang

Answer: (B)

When insomnia stems from yin deficiency, the goal is to nourish yin and calm the Shen (spirit). Bai He does this well: it nourishes heart and lung yin, moistens dryness, and has a calming effect on the mind, helping to restore restful sleep without introducing excessive cooling or dampness. Tian Men Dong is a strong kidney-yin tonic used for more severe yin deficiency with heat and thirst, so it’s less targeted for soothing the Shen in typical yin-deficiency insomnia. Mai Men Dong also nourishes yin, particularly in the lungs and stomach, but its main use is for dryness and cough rather than directly calming the mind. Sheng Di Huang is a powerful yin-nourisher with cooling properties and can be too strong or heat-clearing for some insomnia patterns. Therefore, Bai He is the best choice for yin xu with insomnia because it directly nourishes yin and quiets the Spirit.