E-ISSN:2456-3110

Case Report

Nidranasha

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2025 Volume 10 Number 5 MAY
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Role of Ashwagandha Taila Matra Basti in management of Nidranasha - A Case Report

Salma U1*, Ranjitha2
DOI:10.21760/jaims.10.5.40

1* Umme Salma, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Roganidana, Government Ayurveda Medical College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

2 Ranjitha, Associate Professor, Department of Roganidana, Government Ayurveda Medical College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

In the era of growing urbanisation and fast-moving life in all the involved individuals has lead to the imbalance between the life cycle which has driven one to skip the diet or the sleep to meet their daily tasks while these are the basic for the proper homeostasis of body metabolic functions. The sleep shares a basic importance in relaxing and resting down to preserve and recharging the body for further daily activities. People have very irregular sleep due to various reasons it could be mental or physical exertion. Ayurveda states that Nidra is one among basic pillar which provides Sukha, Dukkha. Loss of Nidra leads to Nidranasha which is studied under insomnia. In the present case young individual of age 26 years stated history of lack of sleep with restlessness, fear, anxiety loss of appetite and weight loss post doing heavy labour work for which considering his Bala and Dosha Abhyanga and Matra Basti with Ashwagandha Taila was opted for 7 days and patient was assessed accordingly the patient showed benefiting result by precipitation of considered symptoms.

Keywords: Nidranasha, Ashwagandha Taila, Matrabasti, Abhyanga

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Umme Salma, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Roganidana, Government Ayurveda Medical College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Email: 		Salma U, Ranjitha, Role of Ashwagandha Taila Matra Basti in management of Nidranasha - A Case Report. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2025;10(5):259-262.
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https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/4274/

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2025-04-07 2025-04-26 2025-05-06 2025-05-16 2025-05-26
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© 2025 by Salma U, Ranjitha and Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

J Ayu Int Med Sci 2025;10(5)259
Download PDFBack To ArticleIntroductionCase ReportObservationsDiscussionConclusionReferences
Umme S et al. Role of Ashwagandha Taila Matra Basti in management of Nidranasha

Introduction

Sleep is a natural physiologic phenomenon which is maintained by the sleep wake cycle in which central nervous system plays a critical role during the sleep cycle as a result of the activation of the circadian system, the reticular activating system (RAS) in the brain stem is inhibited from inducing sleep.[1] This sleep wake cycle can influence eating habits, digestion, body temperature, hormone release and other bodily functions. If it is very chronic, the person may tend to develop varieties of psychiatric illness. In Ayurveda insomnia is mainly studied under Nidranasha which is one among Vatajananatma Vikara[2] and has been given prime importance by considering one among the Tryoupathambha.[3] Nidra is mentioned under Adharniya Vegas, if suppressed leads to various disorders.[4] The Agni has strong corelation with Nidra if the Nidra gets disturbs and so our Bala, Mala and Koshta gets hampered leading to the decrease in Ayu. Vikariki Nidra refers to condition where in there less Kapha and aggravated Vata.[5] Due to Vataprakopa by improper sleeping habits causes, dryness, restlessness and weight loss. Hence It should be better planned and manged by Abhyanga which is best Vata Shamana, and Basti which regulates the Vata and is considered as Ardhachiktsa in Ayurveda which harmonises the body function and induces proper sleep.

Case Report

A young patient of age 26 years old reports the history of Anidra (sleeplessness) since 8months which was associated with loss of appetite, anxiety, restlessness, body ache and weight loss which offends him from performing his daily activity. He worked as labourer at rice mill and worked for about 12hrs on standing and heavy lifting departments. He consulted allopathy physician and was advised with some oral medication for about 15 days. He felt only symptomatic relief but the problem of sleeplessness and anxiety persisted therefore the patient visited to our OPD for better management.

Vedana Vishesha (chief complaints)

1. Anidra (sleeplessness)
2. Atichinta (anxiety)
3. Angamarda (body pain)
4. Agni Mandya (Loss of appetite)
5. Bala Kshaya (Weight loss)

Poorva Vyadhi Vruttanta (past history)

No history of PTSD, DM, HTN, Thyroid and other psychiatric illness

Kulavrutanta (family history) - Nothing significant.
Maternal history - Nothing significant.
Paternal history - Nothing significant.

Personal history

  • Diet - vegetarian
  • Appetite - loss of appetite
  • Bowel - 1time/day
  • Micturition - 3 to 4 times/day
  • Sleep - lack of sleep

Wake up - 6AM
Breakfast - 7 AM usually have bun and coffee, Chitranna.
Lunch - 1 PM skips due to loss of appetite by drinking tea and mlik.
Dinner - 8 PM, dal, paratha and rice.
Vihara - Ativyayama (lifts heavy weight at store work) , Ratrijagarana, Chinta.
Addiction - Smoking for 2 years.

On examination

Nadi - 78bpm
BP - 100/60 mmHg
Respiratory rate - 17/min
Weight - 48 kg
Tongue coating - Whitish coat

Management

Patient was treated considering his Bala and Dosha by opting Abhyanga, Basti for 7 days and Shamana Chikitsa for next 15 days follow ups were done on regular intervals and assessment was done considering the improvement in symptoms stated earlier.

Acharya Bhela has advised Sneha Basti in Nidranasha Chikitsa therefore the treatment in order to reduced Vata Abhyanga and Matrabasti was opted. Dose of Matrabasti was decided after examination of Agnibala and Sharirabala.

Sarvanga Abhyanga - Ashwagandh Taila followed by Bashpa Sweda for 7 days.

Matra Basti - Ashwagandha Taila 60 ml for 7 days.


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Umme S et al. Role of Ashwagandha Taila Matra Basti in management of Nidranasha

Table 1: Shamana Chikitsa

SNShamana AushadhiDosageDuration
1.Hingavastaka Choorna½ tsp with food 1-1-121 days
2.Kushmanda Avaleha1 tsp morning with warm milk21 days
3.Bramhi Ghruta1 tsp morning before food with warm water21 days
4.Ashwagandha Choorna½ tsp after food with milk at night21 days
5.Manasmitra Vati0-0-1 after food21 days
6Balaashwagandh TailaSarvanga Abhyanga daily21 days

Observations

In observation the effect of treatment on symptoms Anidra, Chinta, Angamarda, Bala Kshaya, and Agnimandya is as follows

Table 2: Before treatment and after treatment

SymptomsBefore treatmentAfter treatment
1.  Anidra+++++
2.  Chinta+++++
3.  Agnimandya++++
4.  Angamarda+++

Table 3: Gradation of symptoms

SNGradationScoreGradation
1.Mild1-3+
2.Moderate4-6++
3.Sever7-10+++

Table 4: Insomnia Severity Index Insomnia.

Insomnia ProblemNoneMildModerateSevereVery Severe
1.  Difficulty falling asleep01234
2.  Difficulty staying asleep01234
3.  Problems waking up too early01234

Table 5: How Satisfied/ Dissatisfied are you with your Current sleep pattern?

Very satisfiedsatisfiedModerately satisfiedDissatisfiedVery Dissatisfied
01234

Table 6: How Noticeable to others do you think your sleep problem is in terms of impairing the quality of your life?

Not at all NoticeableA littleSome whatMuchVery much Noticeable
01234

Table 7: How Worried/Distressed are you about your current sleep problem?

Not at all WorriedA LittleSomewhatMuchVery Much Worried
01234

Table 8: To what extent do you consider your sleep problem to Interfere with your daily functioning (e.g. daytime fatigue, mood, ability to function at work / daily chores, concentration, memory, mood etc.) Currently?

Not at all InterferingA LittleSomewhatMuchVery Much Interfering
01234

Guidelines for Scoring / Interpretation:

Added scores of all 7 categories – total =3+2+1+3+2+2+2 =15

Total score categories:

0-7 = No clinically significant insomnia
8-14 = Subthreshold insomnia
15- 21 = Clinical insomnia (moderately Severe)
22- 28 = Clinical insomnia (Severe)

Table 9: Effect of Ashwagandha Taila Matra Basti on Nidranasha

SNCriteriaBefore TreatmentAfter Treatment
1.Insomnia severity index15-21 clinical insomnia (moderately sever)8-14 = subthreshold insomnia
2.General symptomsModerateMild

Discussion

The Vata is responsible for various activity in the body. when this Vata gets aggravated due to Ativyayama, Rukshaahara etc. it causes dryness leading to decrease in Kapha. The Nidra is produced due to Kapha and Tamo Guna Pradhana in the contrary to which aggravated Vata caused decreased in the qualities leads to genesis of Nidranasha. In order to control and normalise the Vata in the above case Matra Basti with Ashwagandha Taila was opted with simultaneous abhyanga with Ashwagandha Taila. Basti alone has the strength to control the Vega of Vata. Sneha Basti can be administered without any complication in a patient who has Rookshata and Alpabala for a long period Abhyanga - Acharya Dalhana mentions that Abhayanga should be done for specified time period and also, there is description of the qualities of Sneha reach different level of skin these are not only confined to skin but reach different tissues after getting absorbed. It also improves the blood circulation and stimulates the nerve receptors.[6] Ashwagandhataila Matra Basti - Snehana is advised as first line of treatment for Vata and so Basti is considered as Ardhchikitsa in Ayurveda.


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Umme S et al. Role of Ashwagandha Taila Matra Basti in management of Nidranasha

Moreover, Sneha also acts as Brumhana and Rasayana. The drug Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) a well-known Rasayana drug, because of its Ushna, Snigdha, Laghu, property and Ushna Virya subsides Vata and Kapha and also causes Agnideepan. As a result, these nutrients reach every Dhatu traversing through minute Srotas and thereby help in subsiding this aggravated Vata Dosha. Hingavastaka Choorna - Ashtangahrudaya Chikitsasthana ch14-35 Shloka- balances Vata and Kapha Dosha there by increases Pitta. Kushmandavaleha - Bhaishajya Ratnavali Raktapitta Adhikara-45-51-acts as a Rasayana, increase Bala and does Brumhana. Bramhi Ghruta - Ashtanga Hrudaya Uttarasthana chapter 6 shloka 23-25-balances Tridosha helps in improving intelligence, memory, and voice. Ashwagandha Choorna-Acharya Bahava Mishra mention it relives tissue depletion, and promotes strength. It relives stress, anxiety, and improve quality of sleep.

Balaashwagandha Taila - Sahasrayoga Tailaprakarana -13. Balances Vata and Pitta and is indicated in emaciation also advised in Unmada one of Manovahasroto Vikara.

Mode of action of Basti in Nidranasha - The action of Basti occurs through the enteric nervous system (ENS) as the active drug components interact directly with receptors in the gastrointestinal tract linked to this system. Known as the ‘second brain,’ the ENS houses over 500 million neurons capable of producing autonomous reflexes without relying on the central nervous system (CNS). Recent research highlights numerous similarities in cellular structure, neuropeptide release, and specific functions between the CNS and ENS, demonstrating a substantial mutual influence.

When Basti interacts with the receptors in the ENS, it stimulates the CNS to release necessary hormones or chemicals. This interaction aligns with the ‘Touch and Go Theory,’ which proposes activation of the ENS receptors. Reflex activity can occur through the enteric nervous system without input from the brain or spinal cord. Gut neurons serve as significant sources of dopamine and contain about 95% of the body’s serotonin. The Phalashruti of Basti outlines various health benefits for the entire body, extending beyond the digestive system. Furthermore, the gut-brain axis theory suggests that communication between the gut and brain involves multiple neurotransmitters.

Conclusion

Nidranasha which occurred as a result of Ativyayama leading to Vata Prakopa to cause dryness, weightless, body ache, anxiety in manual labour due to excessive work load. As Basti is considered as Ardha Chikitsa in Ayurveda hence was opted to normalise Vata imbalance in form of Matra Basti and Abhyanga with Ashwagandha Taila and other Shamana Aushadhi showed precipitation of symptoms effectively in early stages of Nidranasha other general symptoms also took 45 days post Matra Basti and continued internal medication to effectively improve patient condition.

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