Effect of Shirodhara with Ksheerbala oil in stress induced insomnia (Anidra): A Case study

Abstract

Sleep is counted as one of the three pillars of a body. Any disruption from normal sleep patterns affects physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Kapha Dosha is responsible for Vata's sound sleep and aggravation, and Pitta Dosha is responsible for Anidra. Shirodhara therapy is among the widely prescribed Panchakarma procedures for treating Anidra. This is a case of a thirty-six years old male patient who was suffering from difficulty in falling and staying asleep along with associated complaints like excessive yawning, drowsiness, giddiness, heaviness in the head, body stiffness, and indigestion for a year. Covid 19 pandemic acted as a stress trigger in the patient. Signs of any other systemic illness were absent. The patient was treated with Shirodhara with Ksheerbala oil for fourteen days. The insomnia severity index score reduced from 15 to 5 after treatment and the associated symptoms grading score reduced from ten points to two points. Shirodhara therapy not only reduces insomnia severity index score but also improves the quality of sleep and provided relief to associated complaints.