Baohe Pill is a common household remedy in many families, and everyone is accustomed to using it to deal with feeling overly full and indigestion. But you might not know that, besides eliminating accumulated food, it is also quite effective for constipation and insomnia.

Let's first talk about accumulated food. If you often feel bloated, have a dull pain after meals, belch acid, or even have a persistent sour and rotten smell in your throat, it is likely that food is stagnating in your stomach and not being properly metabolized. In Baohe Pill, hawthorn is good at digesting meat and greasy foods, Shénqū can resolve the accumulation of rice and flour, Léifūzǐ promotes Qi and reduces bloating, and when combined with Chenpi and Banxia, which regulate Qi and resolve phlegm, the entire formula works together to eliminate stagnation, regulate Qi, and soothe the stomach, helping the spleen and stomach clear out the "garbage."

Next, let's talk about constipation. Some people suffer from constipation not because of dehydration or yin deficiency, but purely due to overeating and lack of movement, leading to a buildup of undigested material in the intestines, which causes qi stagnation and weakened peristalsis. In such cases, Baohe Pill can be used. On one hand, it resolves accumulation, and on the other hand, the Forsythia in the formula clears heat and dispels stagnation, promoting the flow of qi and blood and restoring intestinal motility. Once the accumulation is resolved, bowel movements naturally become smoother.

Interestingly, it can also help with sleep. Traditional Chinese Medicine often says, "If the stomach is not harmonious, sleep is restless." Eating too much at night prevents the stomach qi from descending smoothly, causing stagnated food to push upward and disturb the mind, making it difficult to fall asleep. In such cases, using Baohe Pill to clear the accumulation in the stomach and intestines helps restore the ascending and descending functions of the spleen and stomach, calming the mind and naturally improving sleep.

I once treated a patient in their thirties who experienced chronic insomnia due to high work pressure and irregular eating habits, often having difficulty sleeping after late-night meals, with a bloated stomach and poor bowel movements. I advised him to take Baohe Pill when he felt significant fullness after meals and suggested eating until only 70% full for dinner. Within three to four days, he reported that his stomach bloating had reduced, his bowel movements had improved significantly, and he was sleeping more soundly at night.

Of course, Baohe Pill is primarily suitable for symptoms related to dietary accumulation and spleen-stomach stagnation. If insomnia, constipation, or digestive issues persist or recur frequently, it is still necessary for a professional doctor to diagnose and treat based on individual patterns, such as spleen deficiency, yin deficiency, or other syndromes, to avoid misdiagnosis or delayed treatment.