Ayurvedic Treatment: Therapy for Insomnia and Sleep Disorders

Breaking the Cycle of Sleeplessness: Nidra Nasha in Ayurveda

Definition

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder characterized by persistent difficulty in falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early and not being able to fall back asleep — despite having the opportunity to sleep. This condition leads to significant daytime impairment, manifesting as fatigue, poor concentration, mood disturbances, and reduced performance in daily activities. Insomnia is not merely a nighttime issue; it profoundly affects overall well-being, encompassing physical health, emotional balance, and daily functioning. Individuals suffering from insomnia often find that their quality of life diminishes, prompting the need for effective interventions, including ayurvedic therapies, which can provide natural and holistic approaches to achieve better sleep.

Risk factors

• People with Stress, Anxiety, Depression, and Grief are more prone to Insomnia

• Poor Sleep hygiene

• Alcohol, Caffeine, and late-night Eating can also trigger Insomnia

• Poor Exercise, Night shifts can also trigger insomnia

• People having Medical conditions such as chronic pain, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson's are more prone to Insomnia

How to Diagnose?

• Medical History taking

• Maintaining a Sleep Diary

• Physical Examination and Lab test to rule out conditions like Hyperthyroidism,Anemia, Hormonal Imbalance

• Polysomnography

Symptoms

• Difficulty falling Asleep

• Frequent waking at night

• Feeling unrefreshed after sleep

• Daytime fatigue or low energy

• Difficulty concentrating or memory problems

• Irritability, mood swings, or Anxiety problems

• Headache or heaviness in the head

Management and Treatment of Insomnia

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), First-line treatment for chronic insomnia. Helps address negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviours around sleep.

• Sleep Hygiene Education

• Lifestyle and Environmental Adjustments such as Exercise regularly, but avoid intense activity close to bedtime, avoid caffeine and alcohol in the evening. Keep electronics out of the bedroom and avoid blue light before sleep. The bed is only for sleep and intimacy – not work or watching TV

Ayurvedic Approach to Insomnia

Nidhana

Aharaj Nidan (Food habits)

Excessive consumption of Aahara like Rukshanna, Upavasa, Visamashana, Adhyashana, Alpashana, Viruddhashana, Ati-madhyapana, Direct drug effects (Including Alcohol) Drug Withdrawal effects (including Alcohol) can cause the Nidranasha

Viharaja Nidan (Activities)

Dhumpana Sewan (Adhika Dhumpana), Ratri Jagarana, Shrama, Diwaswapna, Ativyavaya, uncomfortable sleeping environment (Asukha Shayya), Vegavidharna are responsible factors for Anidra

Mansika Nidana

The Satvaudirya and Tamojaya are said to be the causes for Nidranasha and Manasantapa. All the psychic conditions, like worry, anger, mania, etc., cause Anidra.

Improper Chikitsa

Excessive effect of virechana, vamana,dhoomapana, rakthamokshana leads to vata dushti, further leading to anidra

Roopa

• Jrumbha • Angamarda • Tandra • Shiro roga • Shirogaurava • Akshigaurava • Jadya • Glani • Bhrama

Line of Treatment

In the treatment of Anidra, one should depend upon the measures having Vatashamaka, Vedanashamaka, and Roga Nivaraka effects as well as pacifying effects on mental activities. The treatments that are described for Anidra in Ayurvedic Samhitas are mostly the same. It is described in the form of Ahara, Vihara, Aushadh, and Panchakarma• Nidan Parivarjan as the first step• Dietary form as the second step in treatment• Dinacharya modifications as the third step in treatment.

Single drugs

• Sarpagandha • Ashvagandha • Jatamansi • Vacha • Brahmi • Mandukparni • Shankhapushpi

Pathya Apathya for Nidranasha

Pathya	Apathya
Madhura Snigdha Lagu Ahara sevana(dugdha,ghrita takra in small quantity at night)	Ruksha katu tiktha kashaya rasa pradhana ahara
Sheetala sukoshna bhojana taken early at night	Ratri jagarana divaswapna ati vyayama
Consuming foods like mudga yusha shali bhojana. Practicing yoga and pranayama	Ati krodha soka chinta bhaya before nidra
Abhyanga with brahmi taila or ksheerabala taila to shiras pada and karna	Madhya sevana irregular aushadha sevana
Snana with sukoshna jala before sleep	Rajah tamah ahara
Satwa ahara vihara,Japa, Dhyana