This clinical case study focuses on the use of Trailokya Vijaya Vati in the treatment of insomnia. The management of sleep disorders has become a serious issue nowadays. Almost all of us, at one time or another, have experienced the dreary desperation of insomnia.
This case of a 65 years old widow, a housewife who was experiencing insomnia since her husband’s death in 2016 and taking antidepressants. The patient was managed with Ayurvedic treatment including manasamithravatakam, Trailokya Vijaya Vati, sarasvatarishta along shirodhara resulting in improvement of overall duration and quality of sleep. Trailokya Vijaya Vati gave a satisfactory improvement in this case.
Introduction
Insomnia is characterized by an incapability to sleep or to remain asleep for a reasonable period which may vary from individual to individual. Sleep is one of the most important things you can do to keep your body and mind healthy. Sleep is one of the best remedies and tonics of life. It is a natural process to refresh every living being on the earth. In Ayurveda, Nidra is one of the most important components of trayopastambh. As per Ayurveda, Nidra Nasha aggravates Vata dosha.
In modern science, doctors prescribe various types of tranquilisers for the treatment of insomnia. In the initial days of treatment, diazepam gives considerable relief, but continuous use of these tablets shows adverse effects like dizziness, drowsiness, anxiety, mood swings, impaired attention.
Overall it was noted that among psychiatry patients, Insomnia is very common. Insomnia results in a lot of neuropsychic morbidities and is more common in adult females than in males.
According to Charak Samhita (Cha. Su. 21/36), there is a natural phenomenon between sleeping and awakening and so many historical shreds of evidence are being supported for a reason. If normal sleep is not achieved then the condition may lead to serious health conditions like neurological psychosomatic disease etc.
Case Report
Patient Description
This is the case of a 65 years old woman who has been living with her son. She came into my clinic on December 2018 with a history of insomnia. Since 2016 after the death of her husband she was taking antidepressant diazepam 5mg. She had stopped the antidepressant in October 2018 as she was unable to tolerate the drowsiness. As we know drowsiness or dizziness is a prime side effect of any antidepressant and after stopping the medication, she experienced a lack of sleep, her sleep quality was disturbed, experienced 3 to 4 times awakening every night. In November 2019 she faced difficulty in getting even a small nap, that’s when she came for the consultation.
Clinical findings
There was no specific pathological history and she was non-hypertensive. There is no sign of trauma or injury. All laboratory reports including thyroid, blood sugar level and Hba1c were normal. No history of diabetes mellitus. No history of the thyroid.
Treatment plan
| Days | Treatment given | Dose | Anupan |
| For 1st 21 days |
Manasmitra vatakamTrailokya vijaya vatiSarasvatarishta Procedure SHIRODHARA with Brahmi Tailam |
2 tab BD2 tab BD3 TSF BD For 7 days |
Lukewarm waterLukewarm waterEqual quantity of water |
| For the next 45 days | Manasmitra vatakamTrailokya vijaya vatiSarasvatarishta | 1 tab BD1 tab BD3 TSF BD | Lukewarm waterLukewarm waterEqual quantity of water |
| After 45 days | Saraswatarishta Trailokya Vijaya Vati |
2 TSF BD 2 tab at bed time |
Equal quantity of waterLukewarm water |
Expected outcome
Reduced frequency of awakening and drowsiness.
Actual outcome
After taking medicine for 15 days, she started getting sleep but used to get up at 4 to 5am. After taking medication for one-month awakening was also reduced to once in 15 days.
Now again in January 2021, she came to my clinic with a small episode of awakenings. This time the patient was given saraswatharishtam 2 TSF BD and 2 tablets of Trailokya Vijaya Vati at bedtime for one month. After august 2021 she had no complaints of awakenings.
Discussion
Insomnia is also called Anidra in ayurvedic terms which is the type of Vata Nanatmaj Vikar. Vata Vardhak Aahar and Vihar enhance the Vata which aggravates anidra. Vataj pittaj dosha aggravates anidra and manas avastha. Manasamithravatakam contains the ingredient having acted on the nervous system.
The combination acts as an anti-stress, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant action. It is used to treat epilepsy, seizures and mania. It also improves brain functions, memory and concentration.
Saraswatarishta have a combination of Vidarikand, Brahmi, Shatavari and many dravyas. Saraswatarishta act as Rasayan to mental health and overall wellbeing. Saraswatarishta is Balya, Dhatu vardhak. Saraswatarishta was used to improve memory and to treat acute anxiety and insomnia. It improves grasping power and speech.
Trailokya Vijaya Vati contains Vijaya which is best vata shamak, deepan, pachan vyavayi and medhya. Cannabinoids are compounds found in Cannabis that are effective to reduce anxiety, an enhancement to sensory perception, enhancing concentration and are also useful in the impairment of memory with Vanshalochan causing the cooling and calming effect.
Shirodhara is a procedure in which continuous pouring of oil or liquid over a particular point of the forehead increases local circulation which may help to reduce stress and enhance the secretion of serotonin and improve sleep and neuromuscular relaxation.
Shirodhara is a relaxation therapy that relieves mental exhaustion as well as pacifies the aggravated Vata dosha. It helps to normalize the function of the central nervous system by relaxing the nervous system and balancing the circulation of blood in the head. In the condition of insomnia, the main vitiated dosha is Vata therefore the balance of Vata dosha is an important element to treat insomnia Shirodhara is also one of the fruitful treatments for reducing stress and anxiety.
Conclusion
Trailokya Vijaya Vati in combination with other Ayurvedic medicines shows great results in patients suffering from insomnia and anxiety and also in withdrawal of antidepressants. Sleep disorder has been a serious concern and this case shows encouraging results with the given treatment not only in the sleep pattern but also the quality of sleep.
Case Study by Dr. Ashish Mahajan
Published by Hempstreet
