Insomnia is a sleep disorder wherein sleep deprivation is caused by problems concerning falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. It hampers an individual's physical and mental condition, resulting in fatigue, irritability, and low concentration.
In Ayurveda, insomnia is called "Anidra" or "Nidranasha." As we understand in Ayurveda, sleep is among the 3 pillars of health in addition to food and a healthy way of life. Everything else like your digestion, emotions, energy and immunity is affected when your sleep is disturbed.
In Ayurveda, insomnia is usually caused by an imbalance of your body’s doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha):
So if your mind is too busy, your emotions are out of control, or your body isn't relaxed, Ayurveda considers this a dosha imbalance, and not just a random sleep problem.
With the use of natural herbs, remedies, daily routine and diet, Ayurveda can bring your body back to balance and help you fall asleep normally, without taking sleep pills or harsh medicines.
If you have difficulty sleeping, you must understand that there are various kinds of insomnia that could be responsible for your condition. Let us clearly understand these kinds, so you can choose the right treatment for your condition.
If you are having difficulty sleeping night after night, this can be bad for your overall health. Many people experience insomnia due to issues with their daily lifestyles, emotions or health. These are some reasons you may not be getting adequate sleep :
Jiva Ayurveda offers holistic Ayurvedic treatment of Insomnia using evidence-based and time-tested Ayurvedic methods. Our treatment plans are made in a custom way to target the root causes of Insomnia, and instead of just treating symptoms, they focus on complete healing, balance and stability.
At Jiva Ayurveda, we integrate old wisdom with modern medical knowledge in our holistic approach to the treatment of insomnia. Our treatment plans target the root cause of your sleep disorder and make you sleep well and live a healthy life.
If you struggle to fall asleep or get up in the middle of the night, Ayurveda offers some effective and natural remedies for you. Rather than taking sleeping pills with side effects, you can try these herbs that help to calm your mind, ease stress and promote restorative sleep.
These are some Ayurvedic herbs to help you sleep better :
If anxiety and stress keep you awake, Ashwagandha can be the best herb you choose. It calms your nervousness, reduces stress and makes you feel more relaxed at night. You can take it with warm milk or as a tablet/powder to improve your sleep quality and energy during the day.
Brahmi is an Ayurvedic herb that calms your mind. If your mind feels too active or cluttered at night, Brahmi slows you down so you can sleep peacefully. It can also help with concentration and memory, so you feel mentally fresh when you wake up.
Do you overthink at night or worry when you are in bed? Shankapushpi can help reduce your mental tension and emotional stress. It can help you fall asleep naturally by soothing your body and mind. You can take it as a syrup, powder, or capsule.
Jatamansi is considered to be a natural sleep aid. If you wake up frequently at night or feel uneasy, Jatamansi can help to calm your mind and help you sleep better. It also improves your mood and reduces anger or irritation.
If your sleep problems are related to constant mental tiredness or lack of focus, Jyotishmathi can be helpful. It promotes better brain function, mental clarity and reduces stress. However, it's strong and warming, so it must be taken in small doses and on the recommendations of an Ayurvedic doctor.
If you have high blood pressure, stress or anxiety which is affecting your sleep, try Sarpagandha. This herb calms your nerves and also reduces your blood pressure, so your body can relax and fall asleep.
Vacha helps if your mind is foggy, anxious or overstimulated. It clears toxins from your nervous system and is especially helpful when taken with Brahmi or Amla. If you have trouble calming down at night, Vacha can help settle your mind.
For women, hormonal changes during periods, pregnancy, menopause or PCOS can disturb your sleep. Shatavari helps to balance those hormones and reduce stress. It is a mild but powerful herb that promotes emotional and physical balance and better sleep.
Valerian is another traditional herb used for deep relaxation. Valerian helps loosen your body and mind when you feel tense or unable to relax. Note that you should not take it alone but as a herbal mix as it can be strong on its own.
Amla is not a sleep herb per se, but it helps to cool your body, supports brain health and acts as a gentle detox. When taken with other herbs like Vacha and Brahmi, it can improve your overall sleep pattern.
Eating some fresh grapes before bedtime can help regulate your sleep patterns. Grapes contain melatonin, which controls your sleep cycle. They also combat stress with antioxidants, so you feel more rested in the morning.
Sugarcane juice or extracts can uplift your mood and relieve stress-related sleeplessness. It has tryptophan, which turns into serotonin, a brain chemical that helps you feel calm and prepared to sleep.
If you have difficulty falling asleep, drink a glass of warm milk with a bit of turmeric before bedtime. The warm milk relaxes your body and the turmeric balances stress-causing doshas. It's a tried and tested home remedy for relaxing your mind and improving sleep quality.
