Nowadays, traditional Chinese medicine does not simply take in medicinal products, but also covers herbal preparations and a range of practices including acupuncture and massage. The foundation of Chinese medicine is that the human body works because of a number of interrelated processes that are in constant interaction with our environment. While these processes are in balance you are healthy but, if they are not running alongside one another smoothly, your health will suffer.

There are various different philosophies which govern Chinese medicine including such things as the theory of Yin-Yang which is concerned with the role of the five elements (fire, earth, water, metal and wood), energy flow through the meridians of the body and the relationships between the body’s organs as outlined in the theory of Zang-Fu.

For a long time there has been conflict between people who believe in traditional Chinese medical practices and those who believe in the science-based practice of Western medicine. Today however Chinese medicine, along with other forms of Asian and Oriental medicine, is being increasingly accepted in the West and we frequently refer to such practices as alternative medicine.

For the many millions of sufferers herbal remedies have long been seen as effective in treating insomnia, or in relieving the symptoms of insomnia, and things like lavender, chamomile, lemon balm and passion flower are well known for their medicinal properties. There can be very few insomnia sufferers who have not had a hot drink of honey and lemon before retiring for the night.

An increasing number of people are also turning to acupuncture or, for those who do not fancy the idea of needles, acupressure. Both arts have been practiced for many hundreds of years and the principles were born out of the traditional Chinese practice of adjusting the energy in the body by controlling its flow along the body’s meridian lines.

In spite of its growing acceptance there are still many people who are wary of Chinese medicine. But anyone who has first-hand experience of it in action, especially those of us who have been fortunate enough to live in the Far East, will be more than happy attest to its effectiveness.

If you suffer from insomnia then Chinese medicine is one route which you should consider seriously and a good place to start is with a simple herbal cure for insomnia.