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SJIF Impact Factor : 5.69 ISRA Impact Factor : 1.318 ISSN:2581-785X
Review Article Volume: 3 Issue: 10
Management Of Nidranasha (Insomnia) Through Ayurveda: A Review
Dr. Poonam Sharma1, Prof. Anita Sharma2
1. PG Scholar, PG Department of Agad Tantra, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan
2. Professor & H.O.D, PG Department of Agad Tantra, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan
ABSTRACT:
Insomnia is a very common sleep disorder in present’s era as it make hard to fall asleep, hard to stay
asleep or cause to wake up too early and not be able to get back to sleep. Insomnia causes many problems
in day to day life such as tiredness, a lack of energy, difficulty in concentrating and irritability. As there is
no permanent cure of insomnia in modern science because they use only Hypnotics and sedatives as its
treatment but there are chances that the patient may get addicted to these particular drugs. In Ayurveda
difficulty to fall asleep, stay asleep, or both are considered under heading of Nidranasha. According to
Charaka, sukha, dukh, pusti, karshya, bala, abala, vrishtha, kleebta, gyanm, agynam jivan and maran all
these factors depends on proper and improper nidra. In Nidranasha the main doshas which are involved are
vata and pitta prakopa. So treatment of Nidranasha is mainly Vata-Pitta Shamak chikitsa. In Ayurveda
there are a variety of treatments for insomnia. An attempt has been made in order to compile different types
of treatment protocols for insomnia according to different acharayas.
Key words: Asleep, Dosha, Insomnia, Nidranasha, Sedatives.
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Article received on-17 Sept Corresponding Author : Dr. Poonam Sharma,
Article send to reviewer on-21 Sept. PG Scholar, PG Department of Agad Tantra,
National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Article send back to author on-5 Oct.
Email:
[email protected] Article again received after correction on -11 Oct.
How to Cite the Article : Dr. Poonam Sharma, Prof. Anita Sharma, Management Of Nidranasha (Insomnia)
Through Ayurveda: A Review., IRJAY, October: 2020 Vol- 3, Issue-10; 156-167,
Doi: https://doi.org/10.47223/IRJAY.2020.31016
INTRODUCTION
Insomnia is a very common sleep disorder maximum prescriptions of general
in present’s era as it make hard to fall practitioners. Their role in curing the
asleep, hard to stay asleep or cause to wake disease is very limited as there are chances
up too early and not be able to get back to that the patient may get addicted to
1
sleep . Due to insufficient sleep, person feel particular drug. In Ayurveda, devoid of
tiredness or sleepiness during day time. sleep is considered as Nidranasha.
Conditions like irritability, depression or According to Charaka, three Upsthambas
anxiety are also related to insomnia. As a are Ahar, Sawapna (nidra) and
result, person feel difficulty in paying Brahamacharya2 . Nidra affects both
attention, focusing on tasks. Insomnia can physical as well as mental health. Charaka
occur independently or as a result of another included Anidra (nidranash) in 80 Vataj
condition. Disease conditions e.g. roga3. According to Charaka, sukha, dukh,
psychological stress, chronic pain, heart pusti, karshya, bala, abala, vrishtha,
failure, hyperthyroidism, heartburn, kleebta, gyanm, agynam jivan and maran all
menopause, certain medications and drugs these factors depends on proper and
such as caffeine, nicotine and alcohol are improper nidra4. As per Sushruta sufficient
also risk factors for Insomnia. There is no sleep at right time makes a person free from
any effective treatment in modern science. diseases, with pleasant mind, full of strength
Hypnotics and sedatives drugs are mainly and good complexion5.According to
prescribed by all psychiatrists and in Susruta, nidranasha is caused by anila and
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pitta prakopa,manastapa, rasadhi dhatu Karya Kalo Vikarasch Prakriti Vayu…
kshaya and due to abhighata.6 (Charaka, Sutra,21/57)
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: According to Susrutha, Causes of
Nidranasha are as follows8:
To evaluate and discuss the hetu and
samprapti of Nidranasha. 1. Anil and Pitta Prakopa
To discuss Ayurvedic management of 2. Manastapa
Nidranasha through Ayurveda. 3. Rasadhi dhatu kshaya
4. Abighata
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
Modern causes of Insomnia
The article is based on review of Ayurvedic
1. Disturbances of circadian rhythm such
texts. Materials related to Nidranasha and
as night shifting of duties.
Insomnia has been collected. Ayurvedic
2. Mental disorders like generalized
texts mainly used in this study are Brihatriyi
anxiety disorder, Post traumatic stress,
i.e. charaka samhita, sushurut samhita and
Schizophrenia etc.
vagbhata Samhita.
3. Life problems like emotional tensions,
HETU OF NIDRANASHA: financial stress, work problems.
4. Medications like b-blockers,
According to Charaka7
corticosteroids, respiratory stimulants
1. Atiyoga of Kayavirechana e.g. Theophylline, Methyldopa,
2. Atiyoga of Shirovirechana and Vamana Thyroid supplements.
3. Bhaya 5. Diseases like Hyperthyroidism and
4. Chinta Rheumatoid arthritis.
5. Krodha 6. Disturbed Hormonal conditions like
6. Dhoomapana sevana Menopause.
7. Raktamokshana 7. Any injury that causes pain.
8. Upavasa
9. Asukhashayya
Another causes of Nidranasha are as
follows:
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SAMPRAPTI: aggrevation of vata dosha due to its nidana
leads to Kapha Kashya. To induce nidra,
In Ayurveda, Nidranasha is not given as a
Tamo guna Pradhanya Kapha should fill up
separate disease. Vata vriddhi and Kapha
the Hridya, as Hridya is the chetana sthan.
kshaya9 are the main factors responsible for
Tamo guna is responsible for induction of
Nidranasha. Vata dosha has antagonistic
Nidra while Satva Guna is responsible for
property of Kapha dosha which means that
Nidranasha10
Nidana Sevana:
Atiyoga of Kayavirechana, Atiyoga of Shirovirechana and Vamana, Bhaya, Chinta,
Krodha, Dhoomapana sevana, Raktamokshana, Upavasa, Asukhashayya, Manastapa,
Abighata
Vata Vriddhi, Pitta Vriddhi
Kapha Kashya
Lack of Sleshma to Chetana Sthana Hridya
Nidranasha (Insomnia)
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Management Of Nidranasha Through 8. Netra tarpana
Ayurveda 9. Sirolepa
10. Vadana lepa
DINCHARYA
11. Comfortable bedding.
Daily massage of scalp with oil (Tail
According to Susruta16, Treatment of
Dharana on shira) induces deep sleep11.
Nidranasha:
Foot Massage with oil (Pada-
Abhyanga) also helps in induction of 1. Abhyanga
sleep12. 2. Oil massage on scalp
Pressing foot with hands also helps in 3. Samvahana
sleep induction13. 4. Taking milk, Sugercane juice
Sukha Shayya and Asana helps in 5. Taking rice with jaggery
persons who are suffering from 6. Taking draksha, sita, sugarcane and its
sleepiness14. products
7. Sukha shayya and asana
According to Charak15, Treatment of
8. Fragrance of different flowers,
Nidranasha:
perfumes, dhoop etc.
1. Abhyanga 9. Dim light
2. Utsadana 10. Slow music.
3. Snana SHIRODHARA:
4. Gramya, Audhaka, Anupa mamsa rasa
sevana Panchkarma based procedure Shirodhara is
5. Audhana sevana with dadhi, Ksheer, helpful in producing relaxation both –
Sneha or Madhya physically and mentally. It is helpful for
6. Manaha sukhakara, manaso anuguna - counteracting the disturbed Manasika
gandha, shabdaha sevana Bhavas, leading to the state of tranquility of
7. Samvahana mind resulting in inducing sleep17.
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TABLE NO. 1 SHOWING SINGLE DRUGS FOR NIDRANASHA
S. No. DRUG NAME PHARMACOLOGICAL PHARMACOLOGICAL
PROPERTY ACTION
1. Sankhpushpi Rasa-tikt, Guna- snigdha Medhya, Tridoshahar,
pichil, Virya-sheet, Vipak- Nidra janan18
madhur
2. Kushmanda Rasa-madhur, Guna-laghu Medhya, Vat-Pitta
snigdha, Virya-sheet, shamak, Nidra janan
Vipak-madhur effect19
3. Bhanga Rasa-tikt, Guna-laghu Madak, Nidrajanan
tikshana, Virya- ushna, effect20
Vipak-katu
4. Jatamansi Rasa-tikt Kashaya Tridoshahar,medhya,
Madhur, Guna-laghu Nidrajanan effect21
snigdha, Virya-sheet,
Vipak-katu
5. Sarpagandha Rasa-tikt, Guna-ruksha, Prabhav - Nidrajanan22
Virya-ushna, Vipak-katu
6. Draksha Rasa-madhur, Guna-guru Vata-Pitta Shamak,
snigdha, Virya-sheet, Medhya23
Vipak-madhur
7. Ashwagandha Rasa-tikt katu, Guna- Rasayan, Nidrajanan
laghu snigdha, Virya- effect24
Ushn, Vipak-madhur
8. Madyantika Rasa-tikt kasahya, Guna- Medhya, Nidrajanan
laghu ruksha, Virya-sheet, effect, Pitta shamak25
Vipak-Katu
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Another ekala dravyas:
1. Mahisha Ksheer26
2. Peeyusha, Morata, Kilata27
TABLE NO. 2 SHOWING HERB-MINERAL FORMULATIONS FOR NIDRANASHA
S.No. Herbo-mineral formulation Pharmacological Action
1. Sarpagandha churana yoga28 Effective in High BP related
insomnia.
2. Smiriti sagar rasa29 Increases memory, effective
in fatigue, loss of appetite,
insomnia
3. Brahmi Vati30 Increases intelligence and
memory, Improves
insomnia, hysteria.
4. Sarpagandha ghan vati31 Increases sleep, Lowers high
BP
5. Narikel khand pak32 Increases sleep and
strengthen body.
6. Ashwagandhadi churan33 Strengthen body, increases
body weight, Increases sleep.
7. Draksharishta34 Appetizer, vayasthapanya,
Improves sleep.
8. Sarsvatarishta35 Hridya rasayan, effective in
insomnia.
9. Ashwagandhadi grit36 Effective in Back ache,
Vertigo, Insomnia.
10. Mansayadi kwath37 Effective in Nidranasha.
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PATHYA-APATHYA According to Ayurveda, Nidranasha
involved both Sharirik dosha i.e. vitiated
Pathya
Vata, Pitta dosha and Mansika doshas i.e.
Do Pranayam or exercise, Meditation Rajas, Tamas dosha. Insomnia has no
daily in morning hours. effective treatment in modern science where
Keep away your cell phone atleast 1 as in Ayurveda there are variety of
hour before going to sleep. treatments for nidranasha. The main
Minimize things that can interrupts treatment protocol for nidranasha is Vata
sleep like bright lights, loud noises, TV Pitta Shamak chikitsa along with daily
or computer. meditatiom or Pranayam. There are number
Gentle rubbing over scalp. of single as well as compound formulations,
Listen good music and positive lectures. as described above, are effective in inducing
Keep mind in a calm and happy state. sleep due to their Vata Pitta Shamak
property. Mahisha Ksheer, Peeyusha,
Apathya
Morata, Kilata are the food items which
Consumption of Caffeine in evening or have Nidrajanan effect. Bahya Upacharas
night hours. like Abhyanga,Utsadana, Padabhyanga,
Heavy meal in dinner. Angamardana, Shirodhara with oil or any
Drinking and smoking. herbal decoction have Vata Shamak Action
Day time sleeping. leading to sleep induction. Manasika
Upacharas like Mrudu, Sukha Shayya,
Stress, worry, over thinking.
Bhaya tyaga, Chinta Tyaga, Lobha Tyaga,
DISCUSSION Santosha – all are helpful to treat Mansika
Doshas i.e. Rajas and Tamas. Fragrances of
In present era, Insomnia is the most
flowers, perfumes, Dim light, Slow music
common disorder among individuals. There
also helps in sleep induction.
are number of factors responsible for
insomnia like stress, sorrow, work CONCLUSION
problems, emotional tensions, mental
disorders, disturbed circadian rhythm, Any From above discussion, it is concluded that
bodily pain, many systemic disorders, some Stress, Anxiety, over thinking, fear,
medications like theophylline etc. emotional tensions, Changes in daily life
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routine i.e. Day sleeping, Late night waking, are helpful in sleep induction. Many single
many systemic disorders are responsible for drugs and compound formulations,
Insomnia. Daily meditation, Pranayam, Panchkarma procedure like Shirodhara are
Exercise, Following Pathya-Apathya, effective in Nidranasha, due to their Vata
Increasing tolerance power, Increasing Pitta Shamak Property. Hence it is
acceptance power, in present era, is very concluded that Nidranasha (Insomnia) can
helpful in reducing various types of stress, be effectively treated through Ayurveda
tensions, anxiety etc. Ahara dravyas having without any side effects and dependency of
Vata Pitta Shamak property like Ksheer etc. its drugs.
Acknowledgement :- Nil
Financial Assistant:- Nil
Conflict of interest :- Nil
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