Insomnia is a sleep disorder that gives adequate rest to the body and mind. Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep at night for many hours or inability to have a sound sleep.
In Ayurveda, Insomnia is known as Anidra.
According to the Ayurvedic perspective, the doshas responsible for this disease are Tarpak Kapha, Sadhak Pitta and Prana Vata.
Tarpak Kapha nourishes the brain cells and facilitates a good night’s sleep. Imbalance of this dosha causes poor nourishment of brain cells, leading to Insomnia.
Sadhak Pitta is a located in the heart. It controls emotions, desires, decisiveness, and spirituality. Its imbalance may cause lack of sleep.
Prana Vata is linked to insomnia, worry, anxiety problems like depression. Prana Vata makes the nervous system sensitive, and aggravated Prana Vata lead to insomnia.
Symptoms:
- Difficulty falling asleep at night.
- Waking during the night.
- Still feeling tired after a nights sleep.
- Daytime fatigue or sleepiness.
- Irritability, depression, or anxiety.
- Tension headaches (feels like a tight band around head).
- Difficulty socializing.
- Gastrointestinal symptoms.
Causes:
Insomnia can be caused by physical and psychological factors. There is sometimes an underlying medical condition that causes chronic insomnia,
Following physical, psychological and medical factors are –
- Job shift changes, high altitudes, environmental noise, extreme heat or cold sleeping next to a snoring partner, parasites, genetic conditions, overactive mind, pregnancy.
- Bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, or psychotic disorders.
- Chronic pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, congestive heart failure, angina, acid-reflux disease (GERD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, sleep apnea, Parkinsons and Alzheimers diseases, hyperthyroidism, arthritis, brain lesions, tumors, stroke.
An improper diet and lifestyle causes aggravation of Vata (Ayurvedic humor representing Air) that travels through the channels of the head causing sleeplessness. Vata is aggravated by increased intake of tea and coffee, especially, before going to bed; long gaps between meals; and intake of cold and dry food, cabbage, lettuce, beans, cauliflower, broccoli, peas, rice, and smoked foods. Suppressed emotions, disturbed sleeping patterns, worries, anger, overwork, overexcitement, and ill health may be other responsible factors.
Ayurvedic Medicine for Fever, Diet & Lifestyle:
Avoid Foods- eged, cheeses, salty foods and processed foods and sweetener aspartame and the preservative monosodium glutamate may trigger migraines. Skipping meals or fasting.
Avoid Stress, avoiding caffeine at night, smoking, going to bed hungry, watching TV, reading, eating, or worrying in bed and ensuring a comfortable sleeping environment.
Not sleeping too much or too little, exercising daily, not forcing sleep, maintain a regular sleep schedule.
Head massage with badaam rogan oil and brahmi oil is also beneficial. This massage gives a calming effect to your nervous system.
Home Remedy:
Ayurvedic treatment of INSOMNIA, Ayurvedic medicine and panchkarma therapy are used which pacification of Pitta Dosha, Vat Dosha and restoration of digestive function in the body. Nervine tonics are also recommended to enhance the ojas, relax the mind and give strength to the nervous system.
Shirolepa – Application of herbal pastes which pacify Pitta Dosha like Sandalwood, camphor, Jatamansi.
Shiro Dhara (Pouring of thin stream of liquid over scalp)- Shiro dhara with oils like kshirbala tail and chananadi oil is carried out where Vata involvement is high.
Cow milk is done when Pitta involvement is more.
Takra Dhara (buttermilk) is done when there is obstruction to Vata passage is to be removed.
Shirovasti – Retaining the medicated oils over the leather cap fitted over the scalp. Any vata-pitta pacifying oils are beneficial for this purpose.
Note:
Medicine should be taken according to vaidya/docter
Treatment with Remedies and Ayurvedic Medicine