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*Zhubing Yuanhou Lun* records: Somnolence (excessive sleepiness) occurs when a person has large intestines and stomach, and dry, rough skin. This causes the muscle layers and interstices to remain closed and unopened, leading to the sluggish retention of Qi in the Yin aspect. When Yang Qi is not sufficient and the Shen (Spirit) is obscured by turbidness, it results in a tendency toward somnolence.

Snoring sleep refers to the sound produced in the throat during sleep. The throat is the passage for the ascent and descent of Qi. If Qi and Blood are harmonious, breathing remains smooth whether awake or asleep. If Qi mechanism is disharmonious, the rushing of Qi impacts the throat and pharynx, producing sound. In obese individuals who snore during sleep, it is because their Qi and Blood are deep, heavy, and dense, compressing the narrow throat passage, causing obstruction and lack of smooth flow, thus producing sound. (Ibid.)

Somnolence caused by Gallbladder Heat arises from stagnant Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) Qi, disharmony of Yin and Yang, excessive phlegm in the chest and diaphragm, and stagnation in the Zang-Fu organs. This leads to mental confusion and turbidity, causing one to be sleepy day and night. These conditions are due to accumulated heat that has not been cleared, resulting in excess Qi in the Liver and Gallbladder, hence the excessive sleep. (*Taiping Shenghui Fang*)

Somnolence caused by Gallbladder Heat occurs because the Gallbladder should be pure and clear, serving as the source of decision-making. Now, with both Liver and Gallbladder in a state of excess and Ying/Wei Qi obstructed, the purity becomes turbid and disturbed, leading to mental confusion and a constant desire to lie down and sleep. (*Shengji Zonglu*)

[Diagnosis and Treatment] After the recovery from a febrile disease, if Yin Qi recovers, there will inevitably be quiet somnolence; upon waking, the mind is clear. This differs from the coma-like sleep caused by heat syndromes, where the patient remains dazed even after waking. Feeling sleepy and fatigued after eating indicates Spleen deficiency unable to transport immediately; lack of transport leads to stillness, and stillness induces sleep. One may use Liu Jun Zi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) added with Mai Ya (Sprouted Hordeum Fruit), Shan Zha (Hawthorn Fruit), and Shen Qu (Medicated Leaven). (*Yi Que*)

[Prescriptions] To treat Gallbladder Fu-organ Excess Heat, where the Spirit cannot hold fast (the *Shengji Zonglu* adds "drowsy and sleepy"), clearing heat is the method. Formula: Ban Xia Qian Li Liu Shui Tang (Pinellia Long-Flowing Water Decoction).
Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma Preparatum), Su Jiang (Old Ginger, equivalent to Sheng Jiang/Fresh Ginger in other formulas) (each 3 liang), Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) (5 liang), Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen) (5 he), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Yuan Zhi (Polygalae Radix), Fu Ling (Poria) (each 2 liang), Shu Mi (Sorghum Vulgare Fructus) (1 sheng).
The above eight ingredients are cut into pieces. Use 5 dou of long-flowing water. First boil the Shu Mi until it boils like crab eyes, stir and lift the water three thousand times, clarify, and take 9 sheng of the liquid. Then decoct the herbs in this liquid to obtain 3.5 sheng. Divide into three doses. (*Qian Jin Yao Fang*)

Zhen Xin Xing Shui Yi Zhi Fang (Heart-Calming, Sleep-Reducing, and Wisdom-Enhancing Powder).
Yuan Zhi (Polygalae Radix) (50 liang, heart removed), Yi Zhi Zi (Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus), Chang Pu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma) (each 8 fen).
The above three ingredients are pounded and sifted into a powder. Take one fang cun bi (a measure approx. 1 cubic inch) with pure glutinous rice wine. Effective after 100 days of administration. (*Qian Jin Yi Fang* Note: There is also a formula to stop sleep containing Long Gu (Fossilized Bones), Hu Gu (Tiger Bone), and Gui Jia (Tortoise Shell) powdered. A formula for treating somnolence contains Ma Huang (Ephedrae Herba), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), and Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) powdered. Additionally, *Taiping Shenghui Fang* contains various heat-clearing and heart-calming formulas. These are not recorded here; please consult them.)

To treat Wind-Toxin in the Gallbladder, with irregularities of deficiency and excess, leading to drowsiness and excessive sleep, Suan Zao Ren San (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen Powder) is suitable.
Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen) (1 liang, raw for excessive sleep), Jin La Cha (Tea Leaves processed with ginger juice and roasted) (2 liang, coated with fresh ginger juice and roasted until slightly charred).
The above two medicines are prepared according to standard methods, pounded and sifted into a powder. Take 2 qian per dose, decoct with one zhan of water until reduced to 6 fen, and take warm at any time. (*Jizhong Fang*)
(Note: *Bencao Gangmu* states: According to the Stone Inscriptions of Medicinal Efficacy from Later Tang in the Five Dynasties period: For Suan Zao Ren, use raw for excessive sleep, and roasted for inability to sleep.)