Night+Terrors+(Profuse+Dreams,+Duo+Meng)

Within Chinese medicine, profuse dreams means excessive dreaming which prevents the sleep from being peaceful. In many cases, there are not just too many dreams, but the dreams themselves are violent, scary, or upsetting. However, this is also address in the disease category Oppressive ghost dreams. The lack of sleep this condition creates at night results in tiredness and fatigue during the day.. as conceptualized by western psychiatry, sleep terrors bear phenomenological semblance to the Chinese medicine category of profuse dreams.

Differential Diagnosis: Medical Disorders: A. Narcolepsy B. Epilepsy C. Seizure Disorders Psychiatric Disorders: A. Anxiety disorders B. Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders C. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

TCM Etiology and Pathogenesis: “In Chinese medicine, healthy sleep should be sound and restful and not disturbed by either too many or too frightening dreams. Normal dreaming which does not disturb sleep shows the spirit is relatively quiet and calm. In general, the spirit is calm when it is A) nourished by sufficienct qi and blood, and B) it is free from harrassment by some evil qi.. The main viscera involved in the construction and nourishment of the spirit are the heart and the spleen. In this case, we speak of heart qi and blood and spleen qi. Howevere, the heart qi & blood are themselves rooted in the spleen.. therefore anything that causes the spleen to to be damaged may result in a qi and blood vacuity.. the main direct causes of heart qi & blood consumption and scattering are fear and fright."”1

TCM Pattern Differentiation: Heart-Spleen Dual Vacuity Pattern 1 Profuse dreams, insomnia, impaired memory, reduced food intake, somber white complexion, abdominal distention, loose stools, short of breath, disinclination to talk, fatigue, lack of strength [Huang Qi (15g.), Dang Shen (10g.), Bai Zhu (10g.), Fu Shen (12g.), Long Yan Rou (15g.), Suan Zao Ren (12g.), Mu Xiang (6g.), Dang Gui (10g.), Yuan Zhi (10g.), Shi Chang Pu (6g.), Hu Po (1g.), Long Chi (12g.), Gan Cao (6g.)] Complicated by phlegm-heat: Use //Yi Qi An Shen Tang// [Dang Gui (10g.), Fu She (12g.), Sheng Di (12g.), Mai Men Dong (12g.), Suan Zao Ren (12-15g.), Yuan Zhi (6-10g.), Ren Shen (3-6g.), Huang Qi (15-18g.), Dan Nan Xing (3-6g.), Zhu Ye (10g.), Huang Lian (3-6g.), Gan Cao (3-6g.)]
 * Tongue:** pale
 * Pulse:** soggy, fine
 * Treatment Principles:** Fortify the spleen & boost the qi, nourish the heart, supplement the blood
 * Acupuncture Treatment:** HT-7, BL-15, ST-36, SP-6, SP-1. even technique.
 * Herbal Treatment:** //Gui Pi Tang Jia Jian//1
 * Modifications:**

Noninteraction Between the Heart & Kidneys Pattern 1 Profuse dreams, insomnia, heart vexation, palpitations, low back & knee soreness & limpness, tidal heat, night sweats, seminal emission [Huang Lian (3-6g.), Huang Qin (10g.), Bai Shao (10g.), E Jiao (6g.), Yuan Zhi (10g.), Fu Shen (12g.), Tian Men Dong (12g.), Ji Zi Huang (1 pc.)]
 * Tongue:** red tongue; scanty or no coat
 * Pulse:** fine, rapid
 * Treatment Principles:** Nourish yin & downbear fire, promote heart & kidney communication
 * Acupuncture Treatment:** HT-6, ST-41, KI-3, KI-1. even technique. Bath feet in warm water and massage KI-1 strongly before sleep.
 * Herbal Treatment:** //Huang Lian E Jiao Tang Jia Jian//1

Heart-Gallbladder Qi Vacuity Pattern 1 Profuse dreams, nightmares with occasionally waking in fright, impaired memory, timidity, irritability, susceptibility to fright, palpitations, possible profuse phlegm, possible plum-pit qi [Ban Xia (10g.), Zhi Shi (6g.), Fu Shen (12g.), Suan Zao Ren (12g.), Yuan Zhi (10g.), Wu Wei Zi (10g.), Shu Di Huang (12g.), Dang Shen (10g.), Gan Cao (6g.), Long Chi (12g.), Ci Shi (12g.)] More obvious liver depression: + Chai Hu, Chuan Lian Zi More obvious phlegm: + Shi Chang Pu, Zhu Ru Depressive heat: + Huang Lian, Zhi Zi
 * Tongue:** pale
 * Pulse:** fine, bowstring, weak or slippery pulse
 * Treatment Principles:** Supplement the qi & settle fright, quiet the spirit to stabilize the mind
 * Acupuncture Treatment:** BL-42, HT-7, PC-7, CV-8, SP-6. even technique. moxa CV-8
 * Herbal Treatment:** //Shi Wei Wen Dan Tang Jia Jian//1
 * Modifications:**

Phlegm Fire Harrassing Above Pattern 1 Profuse dreams, dizziness, palpitations, rashness & impetuosity, irritability or even irascibility, chest oppression, profuse phlegm [Huang Lian (3-6g.), Huang Qin (6g.), Ban Xia (10g.), Zhu Ru (6g.), Zhi Shi (6g.), Chen Pi (6-10g.), Fu Shen (12g.), Dan Nan Xing (6-10g.), He Huan Pi (10g.), Yuan Zhi (10g.), Gan Cao (3-6g.)]
 * Tongue:** red tongue; slimy yellow coat
 * Pulse:** slippery, rapid, commonly bowstring
 * Treatment Principles:** Clear heat & transform phlegm
 * Herbal Treatment:** //Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang Jia Jian//1

Liver Fire Harassing Internally Pattern 1 Profuse dreams, nightmares, dizziness, irascibility, headache, red eyes, rib-side pain, bitter taste, possible sudden deafness or tinnitus [Long Dan Cao (10g.), Huang Qin (10g.), Zhi Zi (10g.), Chai Hu (10g.), Bai Shao (10g.), Dang Gui Wei (6-10g.), Sheng Di Huang (12g.), Chuan Xiong (10g.), Gan Cao (3-6g.)]
 * Tongue:** red tongue; yellow coat
 * Pulse:** bowstring, rapid
 * Treatment Principles:** Clear the liver & drain fire
 * Acupuncture Treatment:** LR-2, GB-20, HT-7, PC-6, GB-44. draining technique, strong stimulation.
 * Herbal Treatment:** //Long Dan Xie Gan Tang Jia Jian//1