sleeping

Sleep is a normal activity in most higher organisms. Every human being, on average, spends a third of his or her life sleeping. Babies and children spend more time sleeping than adults while old people sleep less. The sleep wake cycle is controlled by an internal biological clock which usually coincides with the day - night cycle. We do not know yet what sleep does to our body except that we feel refreshed after a good night's sleep. But what lack of sleep does to an individual is quite well known. Prolonged lack of sleep leads to irritability, lack of concentration and even hallucinations. Thus, sleep certainly has a restorative function which helps the body face another active day.

Insomnia:

• Insomnia refers to the inability to go to sleep and sleeping difficulties

Symptoms to look for:

• Difficulty in falling asleep

• Inability to remain asleep

• Waking up early

• Lack of sleep leads to:

• Weak memory

• Lack of concentration

• Irritability

• Confused state of mind

Causes:

• Mental tension

• Anxiety

• Excessive work

• Feeling of resentment

• Anger and bitterness

• Constipation

• Overeating at night

• Dyspepsia

• Excessive consumption of tea or coffee

• Smoking

• Empty stomach before sleep

Natural home remedy using milk and honey:

1. Take 1 glass of milk

2. Add 1 tsp of honey

3. Drink every night before bedtime

4. This works as a tonic and a natural tranquilliser

5. Natural home remedy using aniseed and milk: 

6. Take ½ L of water

7. Add 1 tsp of aniseed

8. Heat the mixture for 15 min

9. Strain the mixture

10. Drink the liquid when it's hot

• You may add hot milk or honey to improve taste

• Consume at bedtime

Natural home remedy using honey: 

1. Take 1 glass of water

2. Mix 2 tsp of honey

3. Mix well

4. Drink before bedtime

Tips: 

• Take a hot bath or shower before bedtime for sound sleep

Snoring:

• Snoring is a common sleep related problem

• It is troublesome for the sufferer as well as the people around them

Causes:

• During sleep, muscles in the mouth relax

• At times, the tongue falls back

• This obstructs the passage of air which leads to snoring

• External factors which cause snoring are:

   o Physical exertion

   o Consuming alcohol

   o Certain medicines

Natural home remedy using clarified butter or brahmi oil: 

1. Put 2 drops lukewarm clarified butter in each nostril

2. Do this once every morning and every night at bedtime

3. Brahmi oil, a common ayurvedic herb, can be used instead of clarified butter

Natural home remedy using cardamom powder:

1. Take 1 glass warm water

2. Crush some cardamom seeds to get ½ tsp cardamom powder

3. Add it to the water

4. Mix well

5. Consume every day at bedtime

Natural home remedy using milk and turmeric powder:

1. Take 1 cup warm milk

2. Add 2 tsp turmeric powder

3. Consume every day at bedtime

Tips:

• Do not lie on your back as it increases the chances of your tongue falling back

• Elevate your head by 4-5 inches as it eases breathing and prevents tongue from rolling back. You may use cushions for this

• Lie sideways

• Avoid smoking since it leads to swelling and blockage of airways

• Avoid alcohol since it causes the muscles to relax

These remedies are based on the principles of Ayurveda, the ancient Indian science of healing, and are completely natural, non-invasive, and can be prepared at home. Consult your doctor if the symptoms persist.  Refer to the terms of use.