Warning: The Serious Consequences of Repeated Dreams—See If You're Affected!
Frequent dreaming can have negative effects on the body. Different types of dreams are linked to specific physical and mental conditions, each requiring different methods of treatment.
Firstly, dreaming about trivial matters from daily life suggests shallow sleep where the mind remains active. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), "the spleen governs thought," indicating that people who have such dreams may have compromised digestive (stomach) and absorption (spleen) functions.
TCM explains that while a person sleeps, their soul rests but their corporeal spirit continues its work. The gastrointestinal system remains active, continuing to digest and absorb. If the spleen and stomach are weak, the corporeal spirit cannot complete its tasks alone, causing the soul, which should be resting, to intervene. This results in dreaming and may even lead to drooling.
To reduce dreams caused by indigestion, it's essential to improve digestive and absorption functions, strengthening the corporeal spirit. This ensures it doesn't disturb the soul during digestion, thereby decreasing the occurrence of dreams.
Secondly, having frequent bizarre dreams unrelated to daily life involves experiencing inexplicable events in dreams. This condition is described as "wandering outside the body, with the soul not attached" and is connected to the liver. In TCM, "the liver stores blood, and blood nourishes the soul."
Those who have such dreams often struggle to retain their blood, making it difficult to keep their souls grounded. We typically apply methods to nourish liver blood, aiding them in stabilizing their souls for restful sleep. A remedial TCM solution is sour jujube seed soup: we roast sour jujube seeds and brew them into a soup, complemented by herbs like poria, known for its soothing properties.
In Beijing, a well-known snack called poria cake is available, and we suggest those with frequent odd dreams try eating these cakes or purchase sour jujube seeds from pharmacies to brew into a soup.
Thirdly, experiencing distressing or nightmare-like dreams—such as falling from a building, being chased, witnessing violent scenes, or being attacked by dogs or snakes—may also include dreaming of deceased individuals or filthy places.
TCM associates this type of dreaming with the kidneys, which are believed to govern fear and shock. If there's a deficiency in a person's kidney energy or essence, frightening dreams can occur. Often, these individuals have faced loss, shock, or significant changes in their personal lives. For them, we employ warming herbs to eliminate cold phlegm and stagnant blood, and we also introduce mineral medicines.
According to TCM, mineral medicines possess a heavier quality that helps dispel fear. Commonly used minerals include dragon bone, oyster shell, and magnetite. In severe cases, a small amount of cinnabar may be used. Eliminating cold phlegm and stagnant blood will naturally alleviate these nightmares.
Zhuangzi famously stated, "A true person has no dreams." For a healthy individual, transitioning from wakefulness to sleep should be seamless, without feeling excessively tired. Therefore, experiencing insomnia or frequent dreaming signals a sub-healthy state that calls for self-adjustment.