Insomnia and anxiety - weak spleen and what else. Help!

Hi Chad - thanks so much for the quick reply!! My practitioner actually prescribed An Shen Bu Xian Pian - but, I&#39m not sure how good this particular formula is for the anxiety - its supposed to calm down the system but, I haven&#39t seen that. So wanted to see if there is a similar formula but, with more oomph to it. My Dr. told me that my Spleen is very, very weak - probably due to the extreme stress that I was under in my twenties but, looks like body is still hanging on to it - and have to get rid of it physically with diet and exercise and of course supplementation. I am always amazed how sensitive and perceptive the physical body is - as if it has a mind of its own. The body react in a very, very strong way - example if I eat dairy - I have to go pee right away continuously - and I noticed it makes my skin yellow - I did some research and it turns up if your spleen is weak your blood isn&#39t getting fed - and when I eat dairy (or used to) - I noticed if I take a LOT of turmeric and an iron pill - the yellowing of the skin would diminish. I guessf foods like dairy and wheat creates too much dampness and affects the liver etc. Is there a formula that is particular to removing the dampness from the body and strenghtening the spleen, liver and help heal the adrenals too? I think thats where I&#39m headed.

Many, many thanks again.

There is no magic pill to treat your constellation of symptoms, whether it be a pharmaceutical or a Chinese Herbal formula. Your assessment that your body is holding onto stress is probably accurate. The best way I know to re-educate your body to let go of that set point is with Qigong and/or Donna Eden&#39s Energy Medicine. You can find links on youtube to Donna and her students demonstrating many of her energy exercises. She has a book "Energy Medicine", written with her husband, David Feinstein, that includes descriptions of a variety of useful exercises. There are also DVD&#39s available from .

As Chad points out, the philosophy of CHinese Medicine is based on relationships. When the stress response is always "on" it drains Spleen energy. A major relationship involving stress is between Triple Warmer and Spleen. Helping to upgrade Triple Warmer so that it is less reactive frees more energy to bring Spleen back into balance. When Triple Warmer and Spleen are balanced, they keep the immune system functioning well.

There are several ways you can participate in augmenting your acupuncture treatments. One is by being mindful of your thinking, since worried thoughts deplete spleen and set the stress reaction off. Another is to learn a meditation to help your body relax. The third is to develop an Energy Medicine or Qigong practice to support your vitality in a holistic manner.

I wish you well-being and calm.

At the risk of repeating myself I encourage you to get Donna Eden&#39s book "Energy Medicine" or search for an energy medicine practitioner In your area. Go and go to "practitioners". He/she can gude you through the essential exercises that will be the most helpful to begin with. It is much more specific and prescriptive than simply doing Kundalini Yoga. Not to say a yoga practice wouldn&#39t be helpful. But your first priority is to get yourself out of this state of chronic stress.