Sleep is one among the best elixir and tonic of life. It is a natural rejuvenation to refresh every living being. Any alternations in the quality of sleep contributes to various disorders. Sleep disturbances occur due to many psychiatric illness and is also as a component of the diagnostic criteria for specific disorders. Among the sleep disorders, insomnia is the common clinical presentation which is 40% more common in women than in men. Severe insomnia is sleeping less than 3.5 hours in females and 4.5 hours in males, may lead to reduced life span. Untreated insomnia can cause depression, diabetics, hypertension and possibly even death in older individuals.

Ayurvedic view on sleep
In Ayurveda, sleep or nidra have been explained as one of the triads for sustaining life. The tri-doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha, sleep is regulated by the performance of normalcy of doshas in relation with the functioning of Manas. The initiation of sleep is promoted by vata and maintenance of sleep is enhanced by Pitta.
In insominia, the aggravation of vata occurs, this vata will further vitiate pitta. Vata vitiation also results in dhatu kshaya, which leads to depletion of Ojas. Hence, it is always important to regulate Vata, in the management of insomnia.

Management
The mild to moderate cases of insomnia can be treated with drugs that are pacifies Vata and Pitta, like Tagara ( Valerina Wallichi), Jatamansi ( Nordostachys Jatamani), Aswagandha (Withania Somnifera) etc. Also external treatments like Talam – application of mixture of churna with specific oil on the vertex of the head. Siroabhyangam, application of oil on head ,ie , gentle massage and Pada abhyangam also beneficial in treating insomnia.
In several conditions, the sodhana therapy (purificatory therapy) starts with ghritha administration, followed by Swedanam and Virechanam. This is followed by purificatory therapy of the head ie nasyam, Shirodhara and Sirovasti, Sirolepa as the next step on treating insomnia.

Conclusion
Insomnia is a very crucial condition and Ayurveda gives utmost preference in correcting both physiological as well as psychological aspects, such as sleep. Ayurvedic treatments are capable of treating disorders like insomnia to a great extend and can really contribute to the whole medical world.