Difficulty in falling asleep at night is insomnia. Inability to have proper sleep at night ,according to ayurveda insomnia is known ‘anidra ‘ . It is due to imbalance of doshas ( vata , pitta , kafa ) . These imbalance of doshas is due to sedentary lifestyle, depression, stress,unschedule hours of work, lack of exercise, false eating habits . Lack of nirda leads to karshyata ( weak body) , balahani
( deability) , agyanta ( mental weakness ) , nausea ( feeling of vomiting ) , pulsation
( palpitations) , sweating , fearness of loosing , lack of concentration, fatigue , high BP . Causes of insomnia are mental stress , physical pain, unfavorable climate and environment, exertion, depression, stomach problem , constipation .
Ayurvedic view –
‘ Tarpak kafa ‘ nourish brain cells and give good sleep , imbalance of this ‘ tarpak kafa ‘ causes negative thoughts and leads to insomnia .
‘Sadhak Pitta’ in heart controls emotions, desires , spirituality. Imbalance of this ‘ Sadhak Pitta’ causes fear , worries , anger , over work , over excitement and leads to insomnia.
‘ Pran Vata ‘ work for nervous system and it’s imbalance occurs due to itake of tea,coffe before going to bed , long gap between meals intake of cold and dry food , cabbage ,lattice, beans , peas , rice , smoked food .
Diet and lifestyle Advice –
* Eat salad with cream , yogurt , vegetable oil. Have diet rich in nuts like pumpkin seeds, peanuts , sesame seeds , almonds , walnuts
* Use multi grain flour .
* Have fresh fruits , fibre fruits , avocados .
* Avoid caffeine drinks , alcohol , tea ,coffe.
* Avoid late night use of gadgets.
* Have a scheduled life style .
* Have body massage with sesame oil , followed by bath.
* Do yoga , meditation
* Panchkarma Therapies like shirodhara , shirobasti , nasyam are best recommended for insomnia.
Home Remedies:-
* 1 tsf honey , 1/2 tsf cinnamon powder , mix it in 1 cup of warm milk and drink it before going to bed .
* Take 1.5 gm of dried powder of mint leaves , 1 tsf of honey . Mix it in luke warm water and drink at bed time .
* Have sliced banana with a sprinkle of cinnamon regularly.
* Take 1 tsf of ashavgandha powder , brahmi powder in 2 cups water boil and reduce it yo 1 cup and drink it daily to reduce headache due to sleeplessness.
* 1 tsf coconut oil , 1 tsf honey , pinch of sea salt mix it all and consume daily.
* 1 tsf black seed oil mix it in luke warm water drink it daily .
* Have 8 ouns of cherry juice daily.
* 1 tsf of dried valirian root with water .
* 1 clove of garlic, 1/4 cup water , 1 cup milk boil it consume it daily .
* Have chamonile tea , green tea daily.