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A Clinical Evaluation of Ashwagandha Churna on Short-term Insomnia

*Dr. Aby Mathew, PG Scholar, ALNRMAMC, Koppa, Karnataka
Dr. Akhila Vinod, PG Scholar, ALNRMAMC, Koppa, Karnataka
*Corresponding Author: [email protected]
Paper Received: 15-09-2020 Paper Accepted: 13-10-2020 Corrected: 28-11-20

Abstract: Background: Ayurveda considers sleep as one of important sub-pillars of body associated with strength, potency, intellect etc. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) refers dissatisfaction with sleep quantity and quality to insomnia. International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD) 3 has classified insomnia in acute or short-term insomnia and chronic insomnia. Charak Chikitsasthana 24/88-91 mentions exhausted mind, sense organs, grief, alcohol etc. as various causes of insomnia. Various treatments are suggested in Ayurveda as massage, anointing, bath, rice with curds, meat, fishes, pleasant smell, proper time etc. Herbal treatment includes Sankhpushpi, Brahmi, Mandookparni, Jatamansi Ashwagandha etc. So, Ashwagandha churna was selected for the treatment of short-term insomnia in present study.
Materials and Methods: Present study deals with subjective parameters based on questionnaires given with Insomnia Severity Index and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. 20 subjects were selected. The drug was given in churna form with milk after night meal. Wilcoxon’s Signed rank test was used to compare pre-post treatment outcomes.
Result: Improvement was noted in all five parameters of ISI and six components (out of seven) of PQSI. However, severity of insomnia was moderate or subthreshold.
Discussion: Better reliefs were observed in latency of staying asleep and falling asleep. Ashwagandha enhances cholinergic transmission which is related to REM sleep. Ashwagandha also increases the DHEA-S levels and, DHEA-S level is also related with REM sleep.
Key words: Ashwagandha, Insomnia, Short-term insomnia ………….

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