Stress and anxiety sometimes induce transient insomnia. I'm sure this has been experienced by most of us. When unpleasant events shatter your peace of mind, your sleep is affected. While some may have trouble falling asleep, others may have disruptive sleep cycles where they get frequently awakened by nightmares. And lying awake whilst everyone else is sleeping blissfully can be very torturous. I had mentioned about this ordeal in one of my previous posts.
It's said that time is the best healer and eventually as days pass by you'll slowly get over your pain and revert back to your original sleep habits. But then disruptive sleep triggers more anxiety and vice-versa, hence leading to a vicious circle. So one must not just sit back and wait for time to heal but try and find a solution to the problem. Sleeping pills and other drugs should however be avoided; it's best to turn to alternative medicine for this temporary sleeplessness. Meditation, Pranayama and yoga are ideal for maintaining mental tranquility and for holistic healing. Home-remedies, acupressure, hot bath, regular exercise etc. will also help. Also you have to make a few lifestyle changes and follow some of the tips mentioned here.
You can also try some homemade, natural recipes such as these to beat insomnia, especially if it's not chronic. Now everything homemade and herbal is usually regarded with cynicism. But it need not be so. Homemade medicines do work their magic for certain health issues; many swear by their efficacy. These are usually derived from spices, simple medicinal herbs, vegetables, fruits and other ingredients from the kitchen. Some of them are based on traditions from various cultures and geographic areas and though outwardly it may seem that these are just a placebo, some are found to be highly effective and often beat conventional medicine in curing chronic health problems. Made with common household ingredients, these are usually harmless and do not have any side-effects. However one must be cautious before trying any herbal potion suggested by all and sundry. Perception and common sense is highly recommended is such cases.
Here below are 2 homemade concoctions, suggested by an Ayurvedic dietician that proved to be very effective when I was going through a brief period of sleeplessness. Try this for a month for best results.
Cinnamon (Dalchini) & Holy Basil (Tulsi) Kashayam / Kadha
Ingredients:
Method:
Take cinnamon, black pepper (Kali Mirch) and Tulsi leaves in a mortar and pestle and grind it a coarse paste. Transfer the contents to a small bowl. Now place a pan on a low flame and add 1/2 a glass of milk to it along with 3-5 tbsp of water. Now add the crushed mixture from the bowl into the pan. Also add a pinch of turmeric powder. Let it come to a boil. Switch off the flame and strain the liquid in a glass. Consume it when it is sufficiently (bearably) hot before bedtime.
Brahmi and Ginger Buttermilk
Ingredients:
Method:
Take Tulsi leaves, coriander leaves, pudina leaves in a mortar and pestle and grind it to a paste. To this paste also add 1/2 tsp ginger gratings and 1/4 tsp onion paste and beat it to a paste again. Then add 1/4 tsp of brahmi leaves powder and mix well. Add the resultant paste to a glass of thin buttermilk and mix well. Do not add salt to taste. This buttermilk will taste bitter but nevertheless is a great antidote for sleeplessness. Have it after your afternoon lunch.
So what home-remedies do you try when you have trouble falling asleep? Do share in your comments.
It's said that time is the best healer and eventually as days pass by you'll slowly get over your pain and revert back to your original sleep habits. But then disruptive sleep triggers more anxiety and vice-versa, hence leading to a vicious circle. So one must not just sit back and wait for time to heal but try and find a solution to the problem. Sleeping pills and other drugs should however be avoided; it's best to turn to alternative medicine for this temporary sleeplessness. Meditation, Pranayama and yoga are ideal for maintaining mental tranquility and for holistic healing. Home-remedies, acupressure, hot bath, regular exercise etc. will also help. Also you have to make a few lifestyle changes and follow some of the tips mentioned here.
You can also try some homemade, natural recipes such as these to beat insomnia, especially if it's not chronic. Now everything homemade and herbal is usually regarded with cynicism. But it need not be so. Homemade medicines do work their magic for certain health issues; many swear by their efficacy. These are usually derived from spices, simple medicinal herbs, vegetables, fruits and other ingredients from the kitchen. Some of them are based on traditions from various cultures and geographic areas and though outwardly it may seem that these are just a placebo, some are found to be highly effective and often beat conventional medicine in curing chronic health problems. Made with common household ingredients, these are usually harmless and do not have any side-effects. However one must be cautious before trying any herbal potion suggested by all and sundry. Perception and common sense is highly recommended is such cases.
Here below are 2 homemade concoctions, suggested by an Ayurvedic dietician that proved to be very effective when I was going through a brief period of sleeplessness. Try this for a month for best results.
Homemade beverages for splessness or insomnia
Cinnamon (Dalchini) & Holy Basil (Tulsi) Kashayam / Kadha
Ingredients:
- Tulsi Leaves - 10
- Cinnamon -1/2 tsp
- Turmeric powder - a pinch
- Black Pepper - 1/2 tsp
- Milk - 1/2 glass
- Water
Method:
Take cinnamon, black pepper (Kali Mirch) and Tulsi leaves in a mortar and pestle and grind it a coarse paste. Transfer the contents to a small bowl. Now place a pan on a low flame and add 1/2 a glass of milk to it along with 3-5 tbsp of water. Now add the crushed mixture from the bowl into the pan. Also add a pinch of turmeric powder. Let it come to a boil. Switch off the flame and strain the liquid in a glass. Consume it when it is sufficiently (bearably) hot before bedtime.
Brahmi and Ginger Buttermilk
Ingredients:
- Raw Ginger (Adrak)- 1/2 tsp of gratings
- Brahmi Leaves powder - 1/4 tsp
- Mint (pudina) leaves - 5-6
- Onion paste - 1/4 tsp
- Tulsi Leaves - 5-10
- Coriander (Dhaniya) / Cilantro Leaves - 1/2 lemon sized
- Buttermilk - 1 glass
Method:
Take Tulsi leaves, coriander leaves, pudina leaves in a mortar and pestle and grind it to a paste. To this paste also add 1/2 tsp ginger gratings and 1/4 tsp onion paste and beat it to a paste again. Then add 1/4 tsp of brahmi leaves powder and mix well. Add the resultant paste to a glass of thin buttermilk and mix well. Do not add salt to taste. This buttermilk will taste bitter but nevertheless is a great antidote for sleeplessness. Have it after your afternoon lunch.
So what home-remedies do you try when you have trouble falling asleep? Do share in your comments.
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The only way you are going to be able to sleep is if you calm down. Don't eat or drink anything with caffeine in it and do the thing that you find most relaxing before you go to bed. Don't watch TV or use the computer for at least an hour before.
ReplyDeleteHoney is beneficial in the treatment of insomnia. It has a hypnotic action and induces a sound sleep. It should be taken with water, before going to bed, in doses of two teaspoons in a large cup of water
ReplyDelete