The modern practice of traditional Chinese medicine combines many thousands of years of Chinese medical practice including using Chinese medicine to cure insomnia naturally. 'Traditional Chinese medicine' is a relatively modern term that was first used by the People's Republic of China in the 1950s when that country was attempting to build a substantial export trade for its time honored medicines and practices.

Nowadays, traditional Chinese medicine does not only encompass medicinal products, but also covers herbal preparations and several practices including acupuncture and massage. The basis of Chinese medicine is that the human body functions because of a number of interrelated processes which are in continuous interaction with our environment. While these processes are in balance you are healthy but, if they are not running alongside one another smoothly, your health will suffer.

There are several philosophies which govern Chinese medicine including things like the theory of Yin-Yang which is concerned with the role of the five elements (water, earth, fire, wood and metal), the flow of energy along the meridians of the body and the relationships between the body's organs as described in the theory of Zang-Fu.

For years there has been conflict between those who follow traditional Chinese medical practices and those who believe in the science-based practice of Western medicine. Today however traditional Chinese medicine, along with other forms of Asian and Oriental medicine, is being increasingly accepted in the West and we commonly refer to such practices as alternative medicine.

For many millions of sufferers herbal remedies have long been seen as effective in curing insomnia or in relieving insomnia symptoms and such things as chamomile, lavender, passion flower and lemon balm are well known for their medicinal properties. There cannot be many insomnia sufferers who have not taken a hot drink of lemon and honey before retiring for the night.

A growing number of people are also using acupuncture or, for people who do not like the though of needles, acupressure. Both arts have been practiced for centuries and the principles were born out of the traditional Chinese practice of adjusting energy levels in the body by controlling its flow along the meridian lines of the body.

In spite of its increasing acceptance there are still many people who are suspicious of Chinese medicine. But anybody who has first-hand experience of it in action, particularly those people who have been fortunate enough as I have to live in the Far East, will certainly vouch for its effectiveness.