Objective To observe the clinical effect of Tongdu Ningshen Decoction（ 通督宁神方） treating insomnia of governor channel discord type. Methods Patients with insomnia of governor channel discord type were randomized into the treatment group and the control group

48 cases in each group. The treatment group was given Tongdu Ningshen Decoction

one dose every day. The control group was given alprazolam tablet

0. 4 mg each time

once before sleep at a draught. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. Insomnia Severity Index（ ISI） scores

Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index（ PSQI） scores

Self-Rating Scale of Sleep（ SRSS） scores and Chinese symptoms scores in both groups were compared before and after treatment. Results After treatment

ISI

PSQI

SRSS scores and scores of symptoms in both groups

such as difficult to fall asleep

waking in the night and early morning

dreaminess

oppression in chest

palpitation

depression

night sweating

dizziness

headache

weakness

amnesia

cervical rigidity

dysphoria

etc. decreased（ P < 0. 01）. After treatment

ISI

PSQI

SRSS scores and scores of waking in the night and early morning

dreaminess

oppression in chest

palpitation

depression

night sweating

dizziness

headache

weakness

amnesia

cervical rigidity and dysphoria in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group（ P < 0. 01）. Conclusion Tongdu Ningshen Decoction might improve insomnia symptoms of governor channel discord type and relieve secondary symptoms of insomnia.