Psychological factors have become significant contributors to the onset and progression of insomnia. This article explored the treatment of insomnia from the perspective of “liver governs

wei

qi

（defensive

qi

）”. The concept of “liver governs

wei

qi

（defensive

qi

）” is summarized in three aspects， firstly， the liver assists the spleen and stomach in transformation and transportation， governing the generation of

wei

qi

； secondly， the liver aids lung

qi

diffusion and dispersion， governing the distribution of

wei

qi

； thirdly， the liver regulates circadian rhythms， governing the circulation of

wei

qi

. It is proposed that the clinical treatment of insomnia should focus on the following methods： for regulating the liver to harmonize the five viscera， and facilitate the circulation of

wei

qi

， medicinals entering the liver channel include Chaihu （

Bupleuri radix

）， Baishao （

Paeoniae Radix Alba

）， Zhizi （

Gardeniae Fructus

）， and Suanzaoren （

Ziziphi Spinosae Semen

） could be commonly used； for nourishing the liver， the treatment should align with the day-night rhythm， and herbs such as Baihe （

Lilium

）， Hehuan （

Albizia julibrissin

）， and Yejiaoteng （

Polygoni multiflori caulis

） are commonly used； for soothing the liver and address both mental and physical health to calm

wei

qi

， treatment should advocate verbal counseling， psychological regulation， and health education. Ultimately， this treatment approach can free liver

qi

to flow， soothe

qi

movement， restore the motion of

wei

qi

， regulate during day and night， balance

yin

and

yang

， and resolve insomnia effectively.