Objective To study the effect and possible mechanism of Songyu Anshen Formula [Formula of Gansong（Rhizoma Nardostachyos） and Yujin（Radix Curcumae） for calming the mind] on insomnia by observing its influence on 5-hydroxy tryptamine（5-HT） and dopamine（DA） of simple insomnia patients with the syndrome of stagnated liver qi transformed into fire and syndrome of yin deficiency with fire in TCM.Methods Sixty simple insomnia patients

30l with the syndrome of stagnated liver qi transformed into fire and 30 with the syndrome of yin deficiency with fire

were treated with Songyu Anshen Formula for 8 weeks.Before and after treatment

use Athens Insomnia Scale（AIS） to evaluate the patients and the contents of plasma 5-HT and DA of both group were measured.Results There was statistical difference in the AIS score of both groups in the self-group comparison with before treatment（P<0.05）.The level of 5-HT of both groups was increased significantly（P<0.05 or P<0.01）

and the level of DA was decreased significantly after treatment（P<0.05）.Conclusion Songyu Anshen Formula is significantly effective for the insomnia patients with stagnated liver qi transformed into fire and yin deficiency with fire.It improves sleep probably through increasing 5-HT and decreasing DA.