Liuwei Dihuang pill and Jiaotai pill treatment elderly insomnia
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Thailand is currently a complete aged society, with approximately 14 million people aged 60 and above. One in three elderly people experience insomnia. Insomnia increases the risk of serious illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, heart attack, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and depression. In traditional Chinese medicine, the cause of insomnia is attributed to an imbalance of yang and yin at night. The foundation of Yin and Yang in the body resides in the kidneys, which house water and fire. Therefore, the kidneys are crucial for maintaining Yin-Yang balance. In older adults, the function of internal organs declines, leading to kidney qi deficiency, and an imbalance of qi, blood, Yin, and Yang. Insomnia in the elderly is primarily a deficiency. When kidney yin is deficient, kidney fluid does not adequately nourish the heart, leading to excess heart yang. This heat affects the heart causing insomnia. This is considered heart-kidney non-interaction syndrome. Treatment therefore focuses on nourishing yin, reducing heat, and reconnecting the heart and kidneys. The herbal formulas used are Liuwei Dihuang pill and Jiaotai pill. This review article is studying the treatment of insomnia in the elderly using the herbal formulas Liuwei Dihuang pill and Jiaotai pill from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database of the People's Republic of China from 2011 to 2026. The author hopes that this article will be useful to those who wish to study clinical methods for treating insomnia in the elderly, and to provide guidance for further developing research on treating insomnia in the elderly using traditional Chinese medicine.
Article Details
References
Narongsak T, Sanguanvichaikul T, Trisithivanij V. Sleep and sleep hygiene: review article. Journal of Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry. 2020;14(2):69-85. (in Thai)
Yuthongin C, Jansri P, Sukcharoenjit J, Joomthong K, Pongchaichanon P, Nantha S. Effectiveness of samran nitra remedy on improving sleep quality among insomnia patients. Advanced Science Journal. 2026;26(1):221-35. (in Thai)
Thai Health Promotion Foundation. Insomnia: your daily routine can unknowingly put you at risk [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2026 Jan 21]. Available from: https://resourcecenter.thaihealth.or.th/content/5782 (in Thai)
National Statistical Office. The 2024 survey of the older persons in Thailand. Bangkok: National Statistical Office; 2024. (in Thai)
Rattanaphongset P, Bosittipichet T, Nakawiro P. Factors associated with insomnia symptoms among elderly in primary care unit. Journal of Preventive Medicine Association of Thailand. 2021;11(1):188-201. (in Thai)
Jaiyen R, Fakkham S, Vajaradul Y. Effect of Ayuwatana recipes on the quality of sleep in older people with insomnia. Journal of Prachomklao College of Nursing, Phetchaburi Province. 2022;5(2):72-84. (in Thai)
Wu MH, Shi Y. Traditional Chinese medicine internal. 5th ed. Beijing: China Press of Chinese Medicine; 2021. (In Chinese)
Saengkanouk J, Kapol N. Factors affecting sleep quality in patients using cannabis oil for insomnia at a Thai traditional medical cannabis clinic. Thai Journal of Pharmacy Practice. 2024;16(3):745-54. (in Thai)
Anantaklin W, Saiwadee S, Srifar S. Internal organs disorder affecting primary insomnia in traditional Chinese medicine perspective. Regional Health Promotion Center 9 Journal. 2026;20(1):61-73. (in Thai)
Thepchatri N, Matesareyapong K, Srisuwan P. Prevalence of poor sleep quality and its associated factors among older adults attending the outpatient department at Phramongkutklao Hospital. Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences. 2025;32(1):91-109. (in Thai)
Kumpeerapap K. Basic theory of traditional Chinese medicine. 4th ed. Bangkok: Active Print; 2015. (in Thai)
Li J, Zuo ZY. Formulaology. 5th ed. Beijing: China Press of Chinese Medicine; 2021. (in Chinese)
Zhong GS, Yang BC. Chinese materia meica. 5th ed. Beijing: China Press of Chinese Medicine; 2021. (in Chinese)
Luo J, Shu YB. Liuwei Dihuang pill in treatment of insomnia in chronic renal failure patients with heart-kidney incompatibility. Acta Chinese Medicine. 2022;37(4):877-82. (in Chinese)
Zhang Y, Tang NN, Wang XF, Huang JS. Effect of Jiaotai pill on GABA receptor gene expression in the hypothalamus of sleep-deprived rats. World Journal of Sleep Medicine. 2021;8(11):1867-70. (in Chinese)
Pan XY. Pill of six ingredients with Rehmannia and Jiaotai pill effects on insomnia of 31 cases. China Modern Doctor. 2012;50(30):76-7. (in Chinese)
Li M. 40 cases of menopausal insomnia treated with Liuwei Dihuang pill and Jiaotai pill. Zhejiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2011;46(6):408. (in Chinese)
Wang CL. Observation on Liuwei Dihuang pill combined with Jiaotai pill in the treatment of insomnia of heart-kidney disharmony type. Journal of Medical Forum. 2016;37(5):151-2. (in Chinese)
Zhang M, Liu F, Chen Y. Liuwei Dihuang pill in the treatment of insomnia with Yin deficiency and fire excess in elderly patients. Guangxi Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2023;46(6):13-5. (in Chinese)
Liu Y, Xiao JB, Xiao YC. Effect of Jiaotai pills on sleep progress and sleep structure of heart-kidney disjoint type elderly patients with insomnia. WJIM. 2021;16(7):1304-7. (in Chinese)
Liu J. Clinical observation on the efficacy of Tianwang Buxin Dan combined with alprazolam in the treatment of elderly patients with insomnia. Doctor. 2024;9(12):84-6. (in Chinese)
Liu XX, Gu X. Clinical observation of Gui Pi Decoction combined with acupuncture in treatment of insomnia with Qi and Blood deficiency syndrome in elderly patients. Inner Mongolia Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2023;42(9):23-4. (in Chinese)
Mu YY, Bi YP, Yang WJ, Sun XQ, Yu XT. The effects of "heart-kidney communication" acupuncture therapy on sleep and cognitive function in elderly patients with heart-kidney disharmony-type insomnia. Traditional Chinese Medicine Journal. 2023;22(4):49-53. (in Chinese)
Zhou YX, Chen XN, Wu HQ, Lu JX, Yang FM. Clinical observation of calming and sleep-promoting acupuncture for elderly insomnia with heart-kidney non-interaction pattern. Journal of Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine. 2025;26(8):867-72. (in Chinese)
Zhang F. Observation on the efficacy of “communication heart and kidney” acupuncture therapy in the treatment of elderly insomnia [dissertation]. Beijing: Beijing University of Chinese Medicine; 2020. (in Chinese)
