Insomnia - Heart-Kidney Disharmony Pattern
TCM differentiation and treatment for insomnia with
Insomnia · Heart-Kidney Disharmony Pattern
Updated: June 23, 2026
Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM
Reading Time: 7 min
Body Area: Head
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Pattern Overview
Heart-Kidney Disharmony is a common pattern in insomnia, characterized
by **HPA axis hyperactivity, insomnia, palpitations, night sweats, and
restlessness. The core pathogenesis is insufficient Kidney Yin
failing to nourish Heart Yang**, leading to ascendant deficiency heat,
Shen (spirit) restlessness, and difficulty sleeping.
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Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points
| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |
|---|---|
| **Primary Symptoms** |
sweats |
| **Associated Symptoms** |
dizziness, tinnitus |
| **Tongue and Pulse** |
|---|
rapid pulse |
| **Pathogenesis** |
to nourish the Heart |
| **Etiology** |
|---|
overwork |
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Acupuncture Point Prescription
| Point | Location | Function |
|---|---|---|
| **Shenmen (HT7)** | On the wrist crease, ulnar side |
Heart meridian; calms the spirit |
| **Taixi (KI3)** |
tendon | Source point of Kidney meridian; nourishes Kidney Yin |
| **Xinshu (BL15)** | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to T5 |
|---|
of Heart meridian; nourishes Heart Blood |
| **Shenshu (BL23)** | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to L2 |
point of Kidney meridian; nourishes Kidney Yin |
| **Anmian (EX-HN22)** |
|---|
mastoid process and the mandible | Extra point specifically for
insomnia; calms the spirit |
Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reinforcing method; may
combine with moxibustion on Shenshu to warm and tonify Kidney Yin.
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Herbal Formula
Base Formula: Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan (天王补心丹) + Jiao Tai Wan
(交泰丸)
Composition (Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan):
Rehmannia (Sheng Di), Scrophularia (Xuan Shen), Asparagus (Tian Dong),
Ophiopogon (Mai Dong), Angelica (Dang Gui), Sour Jujube Seed (Suan Zao
Ren), Coptis (Huang Lian), Cinnamon (Rou Gui), Polygala (Yuan Zhi)
Action: Nourishes Heart and Kidney Yin, clears deficiency heat, and
calms the spirit.
Modifications
| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |
|---|---|
| Severe night sweats | |
| Severe palpitations | Add Long Gu, Mu Li to anchor the spirit |
| Irritability | Add Zhi Zi, Dan Pi to clear deficiency heat |
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Western Mechanism Reference
HPA axis hyperactivity with excessive sympathetic tone and reversed
melatonin-cortisol rhythm. Heart-Kidney Disharmony corresponds to
insomnia with anxiety and autonomic dysfunction, where HPA axis
hyperactivity and reduced melatonin secretion contribute to sleep
disturbance.
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References
1. Internal Medicine of TCM - Insomnia with Heart-Kidney Disharmony.
2. DB-XJB: Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan.
3. WHO. (2023). *Sleep disorders*. World Health Organization.
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Explore More
- **Find your solution at [MendGod.com](https://mendgod.com)** –
Personalized herbal protocols and acupressure tools for sleep health.
- **Deepen your knowledge at [TcmCIO.com](https://tcmcio.com)** – Full
research papers and clinical case studies on TCM sleep health.
Last reviewed: June 2026 | Lead author: Dr. Li Wei, DACM
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only. Consult a licensed healthcare provider.