This article has been created using the expertise of Dr. Chandan M.C. With a profound background in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, Dr. Chandan has delved into the deep benefits of Ayurveda for individuals struggling with insomnia, documenting his insights in a compelling article. This article chronicles the transformative journey of a woman plagued by sleeplessness, who found solace and restoration through treatment at Ananda.
Centred and composed, is how Dr Chandan remembers this woman in her mid-sixties, on her first visit to Ananda. She told him, “I have no past history of diabetes, hypertension, tuberculosis, heart problems, hypothyroid or anything else that we might think of- my appetite is normal and bowel movements are good too. I am simply tired and would really like to be able to sleep. I literally haven’t slept for more than 5 years and am feeling helpless with discomfort and fatigue.”
“Interestingly, she was a disciplined individual so her inability to get herself to sleep was quite ironic. I approach cases of sleep disorder and insomnia with a special interest. Certain conditions intrigue you more as a doctor than others,” says Dr. Chandan, a specialist of Ayurvedic Panchakarma and mental health at Ananda in the Himalayas.
Decoding Insomnia
Insomnia is the most common sleep problem worldwide. It can lead to many psychosomatic manifestations like fatigue, high blood pressure, lack of concentration and ultimately reduce productivity and badly hamper the quality of life.
According to Ayurvedic texts, the multiple complaints experienced by this lady could involve the vitiation of all the three doshas (circulatory forces made of elemental constituents), i.e., Vata (air & space), Pitta (fire & water) and Kapha (earth and water).
Insomnia arises due to multiple factors which includes Upavasa (fasting), Vata vitiation (disturbance in the elemental constitution of air and space), Asukha Shayaa (an inappropriate bed) Atikrodha (uncontrollable experience of anger), Atibhaya (fearfulness) and Atichinta (worrisome thoughts).
Dr Chandan reports, “I diagnosed the case with
Anidra (insomnia),
Kati Vedana (low back pain) and
Dourbalya (weakness or lack of vitality). The guest’s primary concern was tiredness, poor lung capacity and breathlessness, and she constantly felt drained and fatigued accompanied by uneasy headaches in the centre of the head. For insomnia, I prescribed external treatments of Panchakarma like
Nasya Karma (nasal drops with medicinal herbs and oils administered in specific quantities and time of the day), and Basti (medicated decoction enemas), the latter quite successfully addressing the aggravated Vata (air & space)."
Other therapies prescribed were
Shirodhara – pouring an uninterrupted gentle stream of medicated oil at the eyebrow centre. The treatment protocol also included Ayurvedic foot massage or
Pada Abhyanga, with time proven Ayurvedic herbs for oral medication.
Shirodhara is popular across the globe as a deeply therapeutic process that’s helpful in sleep disturbances. This is a very technical and therapeutic process to be undertaken only with a comprehensive assessment and guidance of an experienced Ayurveda physician. If applied incorrectly, Shirodhara may have contraindications.
“The root cause could stem from the body (
sharirika) or within the mind (
manasika) according to the
dosha’s involvement at a particular location,” says Dr Chandan, “Modern medicine administers antipsychotic and sedatives for the management of insomnia, which might be helpful in the beginning but creates dependency, are limited in their healing power, and in time leaves the person with a wide range of adverse effects to deal with.
Panchakarma is an extremely effective way to deal with sleep disorders- it starts with cleansing of the gross channels, and that will improve the mental patterns too. The treatment started showing a positive response by increasing the duration and the quality of sleep for the guest within ten days.”
The results of this deeply immersive programme? This guest is now routinely experiencing 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep! “She is thrilled at this dramatic life changing journey and is due to visit Ananda again in a month to deepen her wellbeing,” concludes Dr Chandan.
Read more:
Explore our article on Ayurveda on Insomnia.
Listen to Shikha Sud, spiritual hypnotherapist and energy healer at Ananda talk about the growing inability to rest, and ways to sleep effectively.