Ayurveda states that sleep is one of the three prime pillars ‘treya upstambha’ which sustain life. It is as important as food and water and also an insuppressible urge i.e. adharniya vega which means that if it is suppressed, it may cause headache, body pain and heaviness of eyes. Getting good sleep at night supports well-being and good quality of life, helps to get proper learning capacity and immunity.

Ayurveda states that sleep is one of the three prime pillars ‘treya upstambha’ which sustain life. It is as important as food and water and also an insuppressible urge i.e. adharniya vega which means that if it is suppressed, it may cause headache, body pain and heaviness of eyes. Getting good sleep at night supports well-being and good quality of life, helps to get proper learning capacity and immunity.
In ayurvedic texts, sleep is termed as nidra and explained  as very important part of life. When it is disturbed, the disease ‘anidra’ is caused. 
In twenty first century, it is a very common health issue faced by all age groups. As society is becoming more and more urban and complex, this disorder is increasing day by day. According to medical books, sleeplessness is a condition when a person feels very hard to fall asleep or not able to maintain sound sleep or unable to get back to sleep once awake. It is a kind of torture because while the whole world is fast asleep, the affected person is all alone. Earlier, it was common problem of people over sixty years of age but nowadays we can easily find the patients right from childhood.
Duration of sleep requirement depends on various factors like age, physical activity, mental activity, seasons etc. For a healthy adult, sleep of seven to nine hours is sufficient. Apart from this,  sleep quality matters a lot.
Causes of decreased sleep
Sleeplessness can come and go or it may be an ongoing and long-standing issue. It could be short term which tends to last for a few days or weeks, often triggered by stress. Chronic one, where sleep difficulties occur atleast three times a week for three months or longer.
Primary causes
Means sleep problems are not linked with other medical conditions. Primary sleeplessness includes stress related to big life events, financial issues, thinking recklessly on some topic, poor sleeping habits, not doing enough activities in whole day and poor eating habits.
Secondary causes
Due to medical conditions like asthma, anxiety, cancer, hyperthyroidism, menopause, dementia,   medications and use of substances like tobacco, caffeine  and alcohol.
Over the time, lack of sleep can lead to various health problems like diabetes, hypertension, weight gain, irritable behaviour and gastrointestinal disorders.
Role of herbs
Various ayurvedic herbs are very helpful in the treatment of sleeplessness. They can induce sleep by reducing anxiety and supporting physiological changes such as relaxing of muscles and slowing of heart rate.  Commonly used herbs are:
Ashwagandha
Improves quality of sleep. Leaves of the plant contain triethylene glycol which
promotes sleep induction.
Jatamansi
Helps improving brain functions by preventing cell damage and cooling down the brain.
Tagar
Calms the mind by interfering with brain chemicals (GABA) thus, promotes sound sleep and regulates mood.
Vacha
Aids in relaxing the mind thus provide better sleep.
Brahmi
Helps to relax the mind during periods of emotional turbulence and promotes restful sleep.
Shankhpushpi
Reduces levels of cortisol which is a stress hormone, thereby attenuates stress and improves the quality and duration of sleep.
Tulsi
Supports a healthy response to stress and aids in restoring natural sleep rhythms.
Sarpagandha
Loaded with alkaloids that pacify the mind and promotes deep sleep at night.
Mint
Mint tea does not contain caffeine, helps more sound sleep and boost energy levels for the next day.
Oil massage
This therapy is also a primary part of ayurvedic treatment. Oil massage on head and feet is very beneficial for improving sleep as there are nerve endings in our head and feet which are nourished by medicated oil massage and thereby induce sound sleep.
In the end, we can say that sleeplessness should not be taken for granted and prompt action is required at the earliest. Ayurveda can help to manage this condition successfully. 
Associate Professor,
Department of Swasthvritta and Yoga
Dayanand Ayurvedic College, 
Mahatma Hans Raj Marg, Jalandhar (Pb.)
Mob.: 9465466589