Ayurvedic Remedies For Better Sleep
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Sleep
According to Ayurveda, sleep is considered to be one of the most important pillars of life. Good Sleep provides good health and well-being. Good quality sleep rejuvenates the mind and body. It has the power to erase most of the diseases that are accompanying our bodies. One of the most important functions of sleep is to enhance energy or Ojas. As per Ayurveda Ojas acts as a coordinator between mind, body, and soul. The factors that ensure sufficient and good quality of sleep are your mind, body, and physical environment. The correct quality and quantity of sleep provide relaxation to a tired mind.
Ashtanga Hridayam, the classical Ayurvedic text says that the elements that depend on sleep are happiness and unhappiness, nourishment and abnormality, strength and debility, sexual prowess and impotence, knowledge, and ignorance, life and death. According to the Ayurvedic texts, sleep is caused by increased Kapha, which creates the heavy feeling of tiredness and insomnia by increased Vata or pitta, which may follow physical or mental exertion or disease. The ayurvedic clock says that the best time to wake up is before sunrise and sleep before 10 p.m.
Types Of Sleep
According to Ayurveda, sleep is determined by the three doshas-Vata, pita, and Kapha. Charaka Samhita, the ancient Ayurvedic textbook mentions six types of sleep. According to the text, sleep may be due to:
- Natural sleep without external imbalances.
- Depression.
- Increased Kapha is caused by eating an excess of foods like chocolate, cheese, or fried food.
- exhaustion of mind and body caused by excessive physical work.
- Chronic disease.
- Imbalance or injury in the body.
The types of sleep mentioned in Ayurveda are natural sleep without external imbalances, depression, increased Kapha caused by eating an excess of foods, exhaustion of mind and body caused by excessive physical work, chronic disease, and imbalance or injury in the body.
Ayurvedic Remedies For Disturbed Sleep
Ayurveda recommends a lot of remedies to provide better sleep. A few of them are mentioned here.
- Abhyanga (Oil Massage)
Abhyanga is a massage that is done with warm oil. The oil is applied to the entire body, from the scalp to the soles of your feet. To treat sleep disorders, oil such as Bhringaraj, Til Taila, etc are applied on the head and pressed down on the scalp in gentle, circular motions that remarkably soothes the mind. This boosts blood circulation to the central nervous system and helps to overcome sleeplessness.
- Draksha (Grapes)
To eat a small bowl of fresh grapes before going to bed at night helps to overcome sleep disorders. Grapes contain nutrients like resveratrol, carotenoid, quercetin antioxidants, and a powerful compound called melatonin. These have the power to overcome sleep disturbances and also provide a healthy deep sleep cycle and resting patterns.
- Samvahana (Body Massage)
It involves full body massage, using soft materials like silk and fluffy brushes, as well as aromatic essential oils such as almond, rose, jasmine, lavender, and sandalwood.
- Ikshu (Sugarcane)
The juice of sugarcane contains tryptophan, which helps to lower cortisol levels, stress as well as regulates mood, memory, and sleep, thus getting good rest at night.
- Medhya Rasayana (Nootropic Herbs)
This herbal medicine is considered d as the rejuvenation of brainpower and intellect. It contains herbs like Ashwagandha, Tulsi, Yashtimadhu, Brahmi, etc. Due to its neuroprotective properties, enhancing memory, cognition, preventing neurodegenerative conditions, and restoring normal sleep. To get a good sleep use it before bedtime.
Ayurveda prescribes remedies like Abhyanga, Draksha, Samvahana, Sugarcane, and Medhya Rasayana to provide better sleep.
Ayurvedic Herbs For Better Sleep
Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine that emphasizes the balance of sleep for a healthy life. Some common Ayurvedic herbs for improved sleep quality include:
- Brahmi
Brahmi is one of the most important herbs that support restful sleep, calm emotional turbulence, and also help improve concentration and alertness. In Ayurveda, it is called brain tonic and helps to cure digestion problems. It also improves blood circulation, supports the body's natural healing process.
- Shatavari
Shatavari helps to balance Vata and gives a calming effect on the nervous system. It also helps to promote sound sleep.
- Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha contains an ingredient called Triethylene glycol which works wonders to get a good quality of sleep. It is also helpful in a calming effect on anxiety symptoms. In Ayurveda, ashwagandha is called Rasayana.
- Jyotishmati
In Ayurveda, Jyotishmati is called Malkangani. Due to its anti-stress and calming effects, it helps in inducing good quality sleeping.
- Gotu Kola
This herb helps to enhance cognitive function and maintain emotional balance. Gotu kola is an effective herb that helps in inducing good quality sleeping.
- Shankhpushpi
The presence of flavonoids, glycosides, and alkaloids in Shankhpushpi help to soothe the nervous system. It also brings relief to mental fatigue and stress. It helps to reduce anxiety which further helps in sleeping better.
- Sarpagandha
The presence of alkaloids in Sarpagandha helps to reduce the problems of anxiety, hypertension, and high blood pressure which are the causes of insomnia. It also helps to reduce the stress level in the body that leads to good sleep and helps in the treatment of insomnia.
- Vacha
Due to the calming effects on the brain, Vacha helps to treat tension and insomnia. It acts as a cool therapeutic herb that relaxes the nerves thereby inducing sleep. It acts as a tonic for the nervous system. So this herb has the power to solve stress and various other sleep issues.
- Jatamansi
It shows the Laghu (light) and Snigdha (Unctuous) properties. So it reduces Kapha and Pitta doshas in the mind and body. Therefore, it is used as an effective sleeping aid in Ayurvedic treatments. Jatamansi or Indian Spikenard is known as a sleep initiator in Ayurveda. It can enhance the quality of sleep. It acts as a mild detox for the body and an uplifting herb for the mind. It is generally available in the form of powder and oil.
- Chamomile
Chamomile is one of the most important herbs that show sedative and potential qualities. It acts as a mild tranquilizer or sleep inducer. So it is used as a herbal sleep remedy.
Ayurvedic herbs that are helpful for proper and sufficient sleep are Brahmi, Shatavari, Ashwagandha, Jyotishmati, Gotu Kola, Shankpushpi, Sarapgandha, Vacha, Jatamansi, and Chamomile.
Conclusion
All the information related to sleep disorders is based on different Ayurvedic resources. Always prefer the advice of an Ayurvedic doctor before using herbs and herbal remedies.
