Recently, a fan asked why they always wake up around 3 AM? They toss and turn but can't fall back asleep. Why does this happen? From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, this may be due to stagnant liver qi!

TCM holds that different times of the day correspond to different organs in the body. The hours from 1 AM to 3 AM are when the liver meridian is most active. If you consistently wake up during this period, it’s likely related to a liver issue. Clinically, many people experience this due to liver qi stagnation—in simpler terms, the flow of liver qi is not smooth.

In addition to early awakening, individuals with liver qi stagnation may also experience these symptoms: a constant feeling of something stuck in the throat, as if there is phlegm that can’t be coughed up or swallowed, abdominal bloating, indigestion, feeling full after eating just a little, tightness in the chest, distending pain along the sides of the ribs, and frequent flatulence. Upon examining the tongue, there may be obvious swelling on both sides, which are all signs of liver qi stagnation.

At this point, do not take medication recklessly! Many people buy Guipi Wan or Anshen Bunao Ye for insomnia, but these medicines are for replenishing qi and blood and are ineffective for liver qi stagnation. Taking them may even worsen the blockage. Similarly, medicines like Xiaoyao Wan and Chaihu Shugan Wan, though capable of soothing the liver, are not specifically targeted at insomnia. They may show some effect initially, but their efficacy diminishes over time.

For specifically addressing this type of insomnia, you can try Jieyu Anshen Granules. This medication not only disperses stagnant liver qi but also calms restless emotions, targeting the symptoms of liver-stagnation-type insomnia. However, it is important to note: if you frequently experience irritability, dry mouth with a bitter taste, and a red, swollen tongue, it indicates that liver stagnation has transformed into fire. In such cases, you should switch to medications that clear liver fire and calm the mind for proper adjustment.

This article is only for the purpose of popularizing Traditional Chinese Medicine knowledge. Each person’s situation is different, so do not purchase medications indiscriminately on your own. If you are unsure, it is recommended to seek timely medical consultation and consult a professional doctor to avoid delaying treatment.