Dreams are a normal physiological "product" of sleep, while nightmares, from a Chinese medicine point of view, are usually caused by some dysfunction of the zang-fu organs.
The discussion on dreams in Chinese medicine can be traced back to the medical classic The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic (Huáng Dì Nèi Jīng). In the Chapter "Yin Xie Fa Meng" (Dreams due to Invation of Pathogenic Factors), it explains that abnormal dreams are caused by invasion of pathogenic qi from the outside, penetrating through viscera without settling in a fixed position, and flowing together with ying (nutrient-qi) and wei (defensive qi). This causes the Hun (ethereal soul) and Po (corporeal soul) to float, thus causing restless sleep and excess dreaming. The text clearly pointed out that the dispersion of "Hun (ethereal soul)" and "Po (corporeal soul)" has nothing to do with ghosts and gods, but is related to the internal changes in human body caused by various external stimuli. Zhang Zhongjing, the great Chinese medical sage from the Eastern Han Dynasty, believed that the generation of dreams was associated with the deficiency of heart qi, and argued that dreams are not only the result of floating of Hun (ethereal soul) and Po (corporeal soul), but can also be due to “dispersion of essence and spirit”.
According to Chinese medicine, the human body is an organic whole, and therefore changes of spirit, Hun (ethereal soul) and Po (corporeal soul) not only reflect changes in the heart, liver and lung, they may also be the result of changes in any of the zang-fu organs in the body. In the chapter Debate on Dream Interpretation in Chinese Medicine (Zhōng Yī Shì Mèng Biàn Lùn), it states that if the kidney yin is insufficient leading to non-interaction between the heart and the kidney, people often wake up too easily, especially from nightmares. When there is ascendant hyperactivity of liver fire, they often dream of quarrels and wars; when the spleen is deficient with phlegm obstruction, people easily dream of the trivial details of life, but the dream scene is chaotic; if the lung qi fails to disperse and purify, they probably dream of heavy objects pressing on them, feeling tight and uncomfortable. If both yin and yang are deficient, they may dream of the dead or friends’ deaths. Wang Qingren, a Chinese medicine doctor in Qing Dynasty, wrote in the Correction of Errors in Medical Works (Yī Lín Găi Cuò) that abnormal dreams resulted from "failure of interaction between brain-qi and the qi of the zang-fu organs due to qi stagnation and blood stasis"; he asserted that it should be treated mainly by moving qi to resolve constraint, invigorating blood and dissolving stasis.
In Chinese medicine, profuse dreaming is caused by the invasion of external pathogens, resulting in a restless Hun (ethereal soul) and Po (corporeal soul) in the liver and heart because of the failure to nourish —blood and make the organs a proper abode for the Hun and Po. Nightmares are a sleep disorder initiated by external or internal factors. The former include room temperature, bedroom environment, sleeping posture and so on. The latter is complicated, and may include the long-term accumulation of anxiety, depression and other negative emotions, or experiencing dangerous events or serious psychological trauma. Nightmares are also associated with personality and genetic predispositions. Usually, those who are introverted and sensitive with mood swings are more easily attacked by nightmares.
According to the theory of Chinese medicine, the occurrence of nightmares is related to the imbalance of zang-fu organs. For example, people with excess liver fire easily dream of fire. In these cases, extinguishing liver fire is the main focus, and dietary practices such as avoiding alcohol and spicy food, and incorporating food and drink that are sour-cold or bitter-cold in nature are important. In addition, Taichong (LR 3) can also be used with kneading manipulation before bed to drain liver fire.
There is another common nightmare: falling from a high altitude or into a crack or crater in the road while walking or driving. This is often the manifestation of deficiency-cold of the spleen, which can be improved by eating foods with mild properties, such as millet and Radix Codonopsis. Moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) is also useful.
Kidney yin deficiency and hyperactivity of heart fire can also lead to nightmares along with insomnia, flusteredness and other symptoms. If flustered and has a racing heart when waking up from nightmare, Shenmen (HT 7) can be used with pressing-kneading manipulation to relieve the fear. In addition, people should regulate work and rest, creating more work-life balance, and avoid excessive fatigue.
There are many other ways to treat nightmares in Chinese medicine, for example, foot baths in hot water before bed, listening to soft music, eating less at dinner and practicing Taijiquan. It is also very important to adjust daily diet, the balance of work and rest, and emotions.
