Volume 10,Issue 9
Current Status and Prospects of Clinical Research on Mongolian Medicine in the Treatment of Insomnia
Insomnia is a highly prevalent sleep disorder in modern society and also one of the common clinical symptoms. It is closely associated with various systemic diseases and significantly impacts people’s physical and mental health as well as quality of life. Mongolian medicine has a long‑standing tradition in treating insomnia, with extensive clinical experience, definite therapeutic effects, and few adverse reactions. According to Mongolian medical theory, insomnia falls within the category of “Khii” disorders, with the core pathogenesis being excessive Khii and imbalance among the three humors (Khii, Shara, Badagan) and seven constituents. This paper provides a comprehensive review and analysis of the etiology and pathogenesis, clinical research progress, oral Mongolian medicines, traditional Mongolian external therapies, and combined internal and external treatments for insomnia. Currently, commonly used Mongolian medicines include classic formulas such as Sugmel‑3 Decoction, Agar‑35, and Amin Erdun. Traditional external therapies include warm needle acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal baths, and topical rubbing therapies. The overall clinical effectiveness rate usually exceeds 90%, with advantages such as definite efficacy, few adverse reactions, and no drug dependence. However, current studies still face methodological issues including small sample sizes, insufficient implementation of randomization and blinding, lack of unified diagnostic and efficacy criteria, and inadequate follow‑up. Future research should promote multicenter, large‑sample, high‑quality randomized controlled trials, establish an evidence‑based Mongolian medicine database and clinical guidelines, strengthen research on the material basis and mechanisms of action of Mongolian medicines, and advance the modernization and international development of Mongolian medicine in the treatment of insomnia.
[1] Morin C, Jarrin D, 2022, Epidemiology of Insomnia: Prevalence, Course, Risk Factors, and Public Health Burden. Sleep Medicine Clinics, 17(2): 173–191.
[2] Qaseem A, Kansagara D, Forciea M, et al., 2016, Management of Chronic Insomnia Disorder in Adults: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine, 165(2): 125–133.
[3] Editorial Board of Encyclopedia of Mongolian Studies, Editorial Board of Medicine, 2012, Encyclopedia of Mongolian Studies: Medicine. Hohhot: Inner Mongolia People's Publishing House, 106 + 242.
[4] Yixibalazhu, 1998, Four Sections of Sweet Dew. Hohhot: Inner Mongolia People's Publishing House, 5–6 + 124 + 132–139 + 150 + 209.
[5] Diba Sangjiejiacuo, 2016, Blue Lapis Lazuli. Chifeng: Inner Mongolia Science and Technology Press, 42 + 85.
[6] Ce S, 2011, Mongolian Internal Medicine. Hohhot: Inner Mongolia People’s Publishing House, 31.
[7] Ce S, 2011, Mongolian Internal Medicine. Hohhot: Inner Mongolia People’s Publishing House, 3, 30.
[8] Ao Qier, 2018, Efficacy Analysis of 44 Cases of Insomnia Treated with Mongolian Medicine. World Latest Medical Information Abstracts, 18(53): 181–182.
[9] Deng Siqin, Chun Na, Shan Dan, et al., 2019, Clinical Observation on Treating Khii-Type Insomnia with Pure Milk-Decocted Mongolian Medicine Sugmel-3 Decoction. Journal of Chinese Ethnic Medicine, 25(3): 22 + 27.
[10] Mu Ren, Haoburiqiqige, Huang Jiren, 2023, Brief Discussion on Treating Insomnia with Mongolian Medicine Agar-37 as the Main Therapy. Chinese Mongolian Medicine (Mongolian), 18(9): 24–29.
[11] Bao Gerile, Ma Shiyue, 2023, Efficacy Observation of Mongolian Medicine Shunqi Buxin Eleven-Ingredient Pills in Treating Cardiac-Meridian-Type Insomnia. Journal of Chinese Ethnic Medicine, 29(1): 8–10.
[12] Sarigai, 2022, Efficacy Observation of Syndrome-Differentiated Mongolian Medicine in Treating Insomnia. Journal of Chinese Ethnic Medicine, 28(7): 26–27.
[13] Bai Basina, 2023, Efficacy Observation of Mongolian Medicine in Treating Insomnia, thesis, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities.
[14] Wurihan, 2024, Clinical Efficacy Observation of Amin Erdun in Treating Cardiac-Source-Type Insomnia, thesis, Inner Mongolia Medical University.
[15] Wu Hongying, 2019, Discussion on Mongolian Herbal Foot Bath Therapy for Insomnia. World Latest Medical Information Abstracts, 19(70): 212 + 238.
[16] Jin Qiu, Sileg, Agula, 2020, Randomized Controlled Trial of Mongolian Warm Needling in Treating Khii-Predominant Insomnia. Yunnan Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Materia Medica, 41(1): 77–81.
[17] Sachula, 2024, Clinical Study on Mongolian Hot Oil Therapy for Khii-Predominant Insomnia, thesis, Inner Mongolia Medical University.
[18] Terigele, 2019, Clinical Observation of Mongolian Medicine in Treating Insomnia. Journal of Chinese Ethnic Medicine, 25(9): 18–19.
[19] Ao Fu, 2020, Experience in Treating Insomnia with Warm Needling Combined with Mongolian Medicine. Chinese Mongolian Medicine (Mongolian), 15(6): 33–35.
[20] Li Xia, Jin Shan, 2020, Efficacy Observation of Mongolian Warm Needling Combined with Oral Mongolian Medicine in Treating Khii-Hyperactive Insomnia. Journal of Chinese Ethnic Medicine, 26(1): 25–26.
[21] Chen Pingping, 2021, Efficacy Observation of Mongolian Medicine Combined with Moxibustion in Treating Insomnia. Journal of Chinese Ethnic Medicine, 27(6): 30–31.
[22] Bao Liming, 2022, Clinical Study on Mongolian Medicine Combined with Warm Needling in Treating Insomnia. Journal of Chinese Ethnic Medicine, 28(11): 11–13.
