TCM's Approach to Chronic Insomnia and Related Diseases In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), 'Qi' represents the physiological functions of the body's various systems and subsystems, and health is understood as the balanced operation of these functions. When this balance is disrupted, various health issues can arise, including insomnia. Chronic insomnia, defined as a persistent struggle with falling asleep, staying asleep, or achieving truly restorative sleep, is more than just a nightly inconvenience. In TCM, it's often considered a precursor or contributing factor to a range of other diseases, underscoring the holistic, interconnected nature of human health as understood in TCM. The foundational philosophy of TCM is grounded in the principles of Yin and Yang—opposing yet complementary forces that govern life and the universe. In the context of sleep issues, sleep corresponds to Yin qualities, which are passive and akin to the functions of the parasympathetic n...