Herbs for calming the mind include Huahepi, Yuanzhi, Baiziren, Lingzhi, Shouwuteng, and Suanzaoren. If you experience insomnia or excessive dreaming, you can relieve these symptoms by taking these Chinese herbal medicines. However, it is recommended to consult a doctor before taking them and follow their instructions to avoid any potential adverse effects on your body.

1. Huahepi and Yuanzhi

Huahepi and Yuanzhi are the dried bark of leguminous plants, usually peeled and dried during the summer and autumn seasons. They have a sweet and neutral taste and are commonly used to treat emotional disorders, depression, and insomnia. When combined with Baiziren, Xinshen, and Suanzaoren, they can enhance the effects of nourishing the heart, relieving depression, calming the mind, and stabilizing the will.

Yuanzhi is a perennial herb with strong main roots and fleshy bark. It has the effects of calming the mind, improving intelligence, resolving phlegm, and reducing swelling. It is used to treat insomnia and excessive dreaming, forgetfulness and palpitations, mental confusion, difficult coughing, swollen and painful ulcers, and breast pain caused by disharmony between the heart and kidney.

2. Baiziren and Lingzhi

Baiziren is the dried and mature seed kernel of Platycladus orientalis, a species of Cupressaceae. The mature seeds are harvested in autumn and winter, sun-dried, and the seed coat is removed to collect the seed kernel. It has the effects of nourishing the heart and calming the mind, lubricating the intestines and relieving constipation, and stopping sweat. It is suitable for symptoms such as insufficient yin and blood, restless insomnia, palpitations and blurred vision, dry intestines and constipation, and night sweats due to yin deficiency. It should be used with caution in patients with excessive stool or mucus discharge.

Lingzhi is a fungal fruiting body belonging to the Polyporaceae family, with an umbrella-shaped appearance, kidney-shaped, semi-circular or nearly circular cap. It has a sweet and neutral taste and enters the Heart meridian. It can nourish the blood, benefit the heart, and calm the mind, so it can be used to treat symptoms such as insufficient qi and blood, unrest of the mind, insomnia, excessive dreaming, forgetfulness, fatigue, and anorexia. It can be taken together with drugs such as Danggui, Baishao, Suanzaoren, Baiziren, and Longyanrou.

3. Shouwuteng and Suanzaoren

Shouwuteng has a sweet taste and enters the Heart and Liver meridians. It can nourish yin and blood, nourish the heart, and calm the mind. For symptoms such as yin deficiency and blood insufficiency, insomnia, excessive dreaming, unrest of the mind, and dizziness, it can be taken together with other herbs that nourish the heart and calm the mind, such as Huahepi, Suanzaoren, and Baiziren.

Suanzaoren, also known as Zaoren, Suanzaohe, and Shanzaoren, is obtained by removing the peel, pulp, and nuclear shell of the ripe fruits of Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa from the Rhamnaceae family, collecting the seeds, and drying them. It has a neutral nature and sweet taste. It can nourish the heart and liver, calm the mind, and stop sweat.