Self Diagnosis:
Which time of the night do you normally wake up and stay awake? Determine the organs and address the root cause accordingly:
Tongue Diagnosis:
Guide to Tongue Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine – Check out this site for additional help on the pattern that is causing your insomnia and related health issues.
Tongue Inspection and Analysis – another similar site from Shen-Nong.
Insomnia in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
General Symptoms and Their Meaning in TCM – Find your symptoms, then see the TCM pattern and search for remedies and herbal formulas to address that pattern. This is much easier to navigate than all the biochemistry in Western medicine.
Zang Fu Organ Relationships – Learn how each inner organ affects the other. This is very helpful when choosing the right herbal formulas. Also, referring to the above organ energy wheel this video explains how to determine which organ is actually your weakest. Key point – when one organ system energy peaks, the opposite organ energy is at its weakest and will manifest symptoms – this is a clue which organ is in most need of attention and can be nourished further with diet and herbs.
Broadening Strategies In The Treatment Of Insomnia – Jake Paul Fratkin, OMD, L.Ac.
Disturbed Shen – (Insomnia, Anxiety, Palpitation) – Jake Paul Fratkin, OMD, L.Ac. notes from Pacific Symposium, October 2016
Towards the Spirit of Peace – Herbal Formulas and Approaches for Treatment of Shen Disorders.
Adrenal fatigue / Kidney Yin-Yang deficiency / Hyper-Hypothyroidism
What Causes Adrenal Fatigue (Yin Deficiency)? – A TCM view and basic explanation that anyone can understand.
3 Phases of Adrenal Gland Exhaustion and Natural Remedies for Stress – By Katherine MacKenzie, L.Ac.
Integrating the Traditional Chinese Understanding of the Kidneys into Western Herbalism – amazingly detailed article and very good explanation about kidneys as an energy system and how it contributes to our overall health or imbalances. Covers everything from herbal formulas, thyroid issues, hearing issues, even hair. This could have been a part of some expensive book; amazing this is a free resource.
The Diagnosis & Treatment of Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome (and Insomnia) According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) – report by Dr. Sam C. Liang, Golden Needle Acupuncture, Inc.
Nutrients and Botanicals for Treatment of Stress: Adrenal Fatigue, Neurotransmitter Imbalance, Anxiety, and Restless Sleep – Kathleen A. Head, ND, and Gregory S. Kelly, ND
Chinese Herbs for Tiredness – By Will Maclean. Very good explanation as to what are the root causes of fatigue from TCM perspective. Suggests herbal formulas for each one.
Understanding Kidney Yin and Kidney Yang
Diet Guidelines for Kidney Yang Deficiency – know what foods drain you and what recharge you with this pattern of deficiency.
Yin and Yang Deficiency – There are FIVE parts to this article, make sure to read them all. By Barbra Esher, AOBTA CI. Dipl. ABT & Ac. (NCCAOM),
When Yang Collapses–Rebuilding The Fires
Liver and Gallbladder:
Liver Disease in Traditional Chinese Medicine – a detailed guide that addresses treatment and prevention of various liver diseases.
Your Gallbladder: A Curious Organ by John Stan
Comparing the Liver According to Traditional Chinese and Western Scientifc Physiology – Dr. Michael Tierra L.Ac.,O.M.D.
Mind & Body:
Cultivate Boundless Energy With An Ancient Chinese Internal Martial Art Called Zhan Zhuang – Detail explanation for a mind and body exercise I practice daily. This standing tree meditation has brought more health benefits, more balanced energy than any supplement I’ve ever taken. Do yourself a favor and start practicing this ASAP or find a local teacher.
Zhong Yuan Qigong: First Stage of Ascent: Relaxation. This is the book that has a very detailed explanation of the QiGong practices I do on daily basis. No herb, no formula, no vitamin or magic potion has brought as much benefit as these practices did. Best part is that you can do this on your own. Just read everything very carefully and start practicing.
Helpful websites:
American Dragon – Study the TCM formulas and individual herbs with American Dragon. An immensely helpful site before embarking on testing any herbs based solely on your own research.
Herbal formula guides:
Kan Herb Formula Guide – helpful in finding the right formulas for specific patterns. Also good explanation of formula actions.
Thanks for sharing your journey as it is helpful for us who are starting to deal with mercury toxicity.
I recommend you look into nutrition.elements on Ig she will tell you what type of vitamins and supplements to take. Take her recommended supplements in her links. Specially trace minerals and magnesium. Many of the supplements you are using are inorganic forms, not absorbable, they are slow poisons accumulate in the body and mess you up more. Basically keep with food forms of minerals and vitamins. For example, Ascorbic Acid is not Vitamin C. You are a slow detoxer I recommend you to look into this it will improve your recovery.
CBD and chaga are very helpful for relaxing the body.
I’m not going to take the Andy Cuttlers route it just seems to risky for me. I am going to try to detox with a food form of Selenium (SelenoExcell) that can enter the cells and pull out mercury. Seems safer and more aligned with nature.
Take a look at German New Medicine. It is similar to Chinese medicine were every illness is linked to an emotional and Physicial part But emphasizes on toxins making us sick not virus and bacterias. For this find Dr. Melissa Sell in YouTube and also here https://learninggnm.com/i_home.html. It is a huge rabbit hole but I think you are pretty much into it already intuitively.
I hope this helps.
For sleep routine, night baths, changing brain waves before sleep and I have found a tea of 3 bags of Chamomile with valerian, passiflower and Tila works.
Thank you for helpful tips!