|
Topic
of the Month
Insomnia
The term insomnia literally
denotes a complete lack of sleep .It is, however, used to indicate a
relative inability to sleep that consist of difficulty in falling
asleep, difficulty in remaining asleep, early final awakening or
combinations of these complaints. These disease has assumed alarming
proportions in the present times, specially among the upper classes
in the urban setup.
Symptoms:
:Difficulty in
falling asleep is the first symptom that most frequently marks the
onset of insomnia.There may be changes in the duration and quality
of sleep lack of concentration during the day, lapses of memory .The
most common cause of Insomnia is mental tension due to anxiety, over
work, over excitation. Suppressed feelings of anger and bitterness
may also cause insomnia. Some
other causes of insomnia are constipation, dyspepsia, overeating at
night, going to bed hungry, excessive intake of tea or coffe,
smoking etc.
Herbal
Remedies
Rauwolfia
serpentina:
The
herb Rauwolfia due to its sedative action is undisputedly regarded
as a valuable medicine for insomnia. 250 mg to 500 mg of the powder
of the root mixed with cardamom to be given to the patient.
The very first dose of rauwolfia will enable the patient to
go to sleep. If the disease is chronic, the patient should take 250 mg
twice daily, in the morning as well as at night.
Bottle
Gourd:
The mixture of
bottle gourd juice and sesame oil mixed in equal parts acts as an
effective medicine for insomnia. It should be massaged over the
scalp every night. The cooked leaves of bottle gourd taken as a
vegetable are also beneficial in the treatment of insomnia.
Aniseed:
A tea made from aniseed is valuable in sleeplessness. This tea is
prepared by boiling about 375 ml of water with one teaspoon of
aniseed. The water should be covered with a lid and allowed to
simmer for 15 minutes. It should be strained and drunk warm. The tea
may be sweetened with honey. This tea to be taken after meals and
before going bed.
Lettuce:Lettuce
is beneficial in the treatment of insomnia as it contains a
sleep-inducing substance, named ‘lectuacarium’ . The juice of
this plant has a sedative action. Lettuce seed taken in a decoction
are also useful in insomnia.
Milk:Milk
is very valuable in insomnia. A glass of milk, sweetened with honey,
should be taken every night before going to bed in treating
insomnia. It acts as a tonic and a tranquillizer.
Curd:Curd
is also useful in insomnia. The patient should take a plenty of curd
and massage it on the head. This will induce sleep.
Dietary Condition:The
patient should take a low salt diet as salt is said to interfere
with a restful sleep. A balanced diet with simple modification in
the eating pattern will go a long way in the treatment of insomnia.
Such a diet should exclude white flour product, sugar and its
product, tea, coffee, alcohol, chocolate, cola drinks, fatty foods,
fried foods and foods containing additives.
Ayurvedic
supplements:
|
