AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF NIDRANASHA (INSOMNIA): A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ARTICLE

Nidra (sleep) is regarded in Ayurveda as one of the three Upastambhas (sub-pillars) of life, alongside Ahara and Brahmacharya, and is considered essential for tissue nourishment (Dhatu Pushti), immunity (Ojas) and cognition. Nidranasha, correlated with insomnia in contemporary medicine, is not described in classical texts as an independent disease but as a Vataja Nanatmaja Vikara and a symptom-complex arising from vitiation of Vata and Pitta dosha, depletion of Kapha, and disturbance of the Manasika Bhavas (psychic factors) such as Chinta, Bhaya, Shoka and Krodha. This review consolidates classical Ayurvedic understanding of Nidra and Nidranasha with findings from recent clinical literature, including case reports and randomised controlled trials, to present an integrated picture of aetiology, clinical features and management. Internal measures (Ahara and single/compound herbal formulations such as Ashwagandha, Jatamansi, Tagara and Brahmi), external and Panchakarma procedures (Abhyanga, Shirodhara, Shiropichu, Udvartana, Basti) and psychotherapeutic approaches (Sattvavajaya Chikitsa) together form a multi-pronged, largely non-habit-forming approach to management. Across the reviewed trials and case studies, Shirodhara — particularly with medicated oil — emerges as the single most consistently effective intervention, with herbal adjuvants such as Ashwagandha and Jatamansi providing additional benefit. Given the well-documented adverse-effect and dependency profile of conventional hypnotics, these Ayurvedic approaches merit continued clinical evaluation as safe, cost-effective options for the management of insomnia.