Insomnia

Insomnia is a sleeping disorder characterized by an inability to have a quality sleep, or having trouble sleeping for a certain amount of time. 3 types of insomnia are: transient insomnia that lasts for days; acute insomnia, that lasts from weeks till months; and chronic insomnia that lasts for years.

Symptoms
Difficulty in sleeping is the single most common symptom for insomnia. Other conditions that contribute to the overall sleeping trouble are changes in sleeping patterns, confusion, emotional instability, and loss of concentration and coordination, and memory lapses.

Causes
Anxiety, fear, overworking, volatility, suppression of anger, bitterness and resentment will cause sleeplessness.

Habits consisting of drinking too much tea or coffee, smoking, sleeping on an empty stomach and vice versa are other causes of insomnia.

Constipation and dyspepsia are common instances of body disorders that cause sleeplessness. Incidentally, worrying about sleeping troubles will worsen the condition.

Home Remedies
Thiamine: Whole grain cereals and nuts contains vitamin B or thiamine that are significant substance for maintaining strong and healthy nervous system. Vitamin B deficiency will result in conditions such as restlessness and abnormal drowsiness.

Lettuce: Boil 1 tablespoon of lettuce seeds in ½ liter of water. Wait until it reduced into 1/3 level. Lettuce contains a “lectucarium” substance that stimulates a good sleep. Its juices also have the same calming effect with that of opium minus the exhilarating side effects.

Milk: Drink a glass of milk mixed with honey before going to bed every night. Milk is an effective tonic and tranquilizer for this condition. Massaging foot soles with milk will help reduce sleeping disorders.

Curd: Massage the head using curd to encourage good quality sleep.

Bottle Gourd: Mix equal parts of bottle gourd juice and sesame oil. Massage the scalp every night using this mixture. Eating cooked bottle gourd leaves are also an effective remedy for insomniac patients.

Aniseed: Boil a teaspoon of aniseed in 375 ml of water. Cover the container with a lid and allow it to simmer for 15 minutes. Strain. Drink while still warm. Add honey or milk for sweetener. Take it after each meal or before bedtime.

Honey: Take 2 teaspoons of honey along with a glass of water before going to sleep. It is also recommended for infants having sleeping trouble.

Rauwolfia: Rauwolfia is a sedative that has an efficient drowsiness effect for patients with phlegm and gout disorders. Mix 0.25-0.50 gm of powdered rauwolfia root with cardamom to help the patient get a whole night sleep. For chronic cases of insomnia, take 0.25 gm of this powder in the morning and in the evening before bedtime.

Diets
Have a well-balanced diet and limit salt intake to get a good night sleep.

Avoid drinking tea, coffee, sodas and alcoholic drinks. Refrain from eating chocolates, white flour and white sugar products, and most especially fried, fatty, and processed foods.

Other suggestions
Regular exercise at daylight and doing mild exercises before retiring to bed at night will improve the quality of sleep.

Avoid stress by relaxing and meditating, and indulging in a creative and productive hobby. Work slowly and limit working hours from 9-10 hours a day, and 5 ½ days a week.

Practice yoga asanas such as shirshasana, sarvangasana, paschimottanasana, uttanasana, viparit karni, and shavasana to take the mind away from physical and mental worries.