What to do about insomnia? You can decoct 5-7 large red dates in soup after dinner, and drink the soup and eat the dates before bed to help fall asleep faster. A small amount of licorice can also be added for a better sedative effect.
In Sun Simiao's "Qian Jin Fang" (Thousand Golden Prescriptions), there is a "Red Date and Scallion Soup" specifically for treating vexation and insomnia. Use 10 large red dates and 3 scallion stalks. Wash and soak the dates, then remove the pits. Wash the scallion stalks. Place an appropriate amount of water in a pot, add the dates, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes. Add the scallion stalks and cook for another 10 minutes, then remove the scallions. The remedy is ready. Eating the dates and drinking the soup before bed is very effective.
You can also make a red date paste to take, which also has a good sedative effect. Use 1000 grams of fresh red dates. Wash them, remove the pits, take the flesh, and mash it. Add an appropriate amount of water and simmer on low heat. Strain to extract the juice, then mix in 500 grams of honey and heat until well-blended to form the date paste. Bottle for later use. Take 15 ml each time, twice a day, continuously until finished.
Because red dates have the dual effects of calming the mind and nourishing the blood, they were also often used in ancient times to treat "脏躁证" (Zang-Zao syndrome), which is equivalent to modern-day menopausal syndrome. The main symptoms are a restless mind, inexplicable sadness and anger, and even crying. The "Gan Mai Da Zao Tang" (Licorice, Wheat, and Date Decoction) in Traditional Chinese Medicine is highly effective for this condition. This formula uses red dates as the main ingredient, combined with licorice and wheat, to nourish the blood, calm the mind, soothe the liver, and relieve depression.
The sedative effect of red dates has also been confirmed by modern medicine. The flavonoid compounds (Flavone bis-glycoside A) contained in red dates have sedative, hypnotic, and blood pressure-lowering effects. Among them, the naringenin C-glucosides isolated from it have a central nervous system inhibitory effect, which is why red dates have the properties of calming the mind and sedation.