Maybe you remember a time in college during finals when you studied late into the night, cramming a semester’s worth of material while fueling yourself with cookies and peanut butter cups, only to go completely blank when taking the exam the next morning. Or maybe you experience something similar now with work projects that require all your mental focus and leave you unable to sleep at night.
We’ve all experienced it. Even though you’re physically exhausted, you feel mentally alert or even anxious. You don’t sleep well, your concentration is shot, and the cycle continues. This experience of being ‘tired and wired’ occurs when you are simultaneously drained yet unable to relax. Your body longs for rest, but sleep is hard to come by and is sometimes riddled with disturbing dreams. Are you currently struggling with feeling ‘tired and wired’? Do you experience some or most of the following symptoms?
- Anxiety – You never feel settled. Instead, you feel restless and nervous and develop phobias.
- Palpitations – You notice the sensation of your heartbeat in your chest.
- Fatigue – You feel physically drained and lack energy. You may even feel weak at times.
- Insomnia – Despite being tired all day, you find yourself unable to relax or too exhausted to sleep.
- Forgetfulness – Your ability to concentrate has diminished. Your memory might be poor, or you may be experiencing brain fog.
- Poor Appetite – You’re less hungry than usual, or you rely on sugary sweets or simple carbs for the instant energy boost and are left feeling even more sluggish afterward.
- Menstrual Irregularities – Your menstrual cycle may be shorter than 28 days with copious amounts of blood, or, paradoxically, you may have prolonged periods of bleeding (more than 7 days) with a light or scanty flow. In either case, you feel wiped out after your menses.
- Pale – Your pale complexion may make you seem slightly undernourished or anemic to others.
(If you’re familiar with Yinova’s Fertility Type Quiz, you may notice that this pattern shares many similarities with the Pale Type. Pale Types may benefit from herbal medicine formulas based on Gui Pi Tang. However, it is essential to consult with a Licensed Acupuncturist and Clinical Herbalist before starting any medicinal herbs. A qualified practitioner can assess your individual needs and determine the appropriate dosage and modifications.)
The ‘tired and wired’ constellation of symptoms is indicative of a pattern of imbalance caused by Spleen and Heart deficiencies, often made worse by blood deficiency. Since the Ming dynasty, an extract of ten Chinese medicinal herbs called Gui Pi Tang or “Restore the Spleen Decoction” has been used to treat this imbalance. Gui Pi Tang can ease anxiety, support restful sleep, increase vitality, and treat menstrual disorders. It belongs to a family of similar formulas, all of which have properties that boost qi and blood. With these vital substances restored, the body can return to dynamic balance.
Acupuncture helps treat this imbalance, and adding Chinese herbal medicine is essential for restoring vitality after qi or blood is diminished.
Gui Pi Tang is used to treat conditions related to Spleen and Heart deficiencies complicated by blood deficiency, which show up as fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, and menstrual irregularities. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Spleen and Heart are said to have a parent-child relationship rooted in blood. So when one lacks blood, so does the other. Gui Pi Tang is renowned for its ability to strengthen the Spleen and Heart, nourish the blood, and calm the mind – which means treating the root of the problem.
Gui Pi Tang is made of a synergistic blend of herbs, each contributing to the formula’s therapeutic effects. The four main herbs–ginseng, astragalus, white atractylodis, and licorice–strengthen the Spleen helping it produce vibrant and healthy blood. This process is supported by the addition of–longan fruit, Chinese angelica, sour jujube seeds, poria, and polygala root–which help to settle anxiousness by guiding blood back to the Heart. Finally, the costus root ensures that Gui Pi Tang is not too difficult to digest.
Gui Pi Tang’s ability to strengthen the Spleen, nourish the Heart, and calm the mind makes it a versatile formula for a range of symptoms. Consulting with a qualified Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner is the best way to determine if Gui Pi Tang or another Chinese herbal medicine is the right fit for you.
