Ayurvedic Therapy = Pujya Gurudev

Ayurvedic Decoction Therapy-IV

=Pt.ShriRam Sharma Acharya

Ingredients of the Insomnia Relieving Kwatha: (1) Brahmi� 5gm, (2) Shankhapushpi� 5gm, (3) Jatamansi� 10 to 30gm, (4) Vijaya� 5gm, (5) Harada�5gm, (6) Ashwagandha� 2.5gm, (7) Sarpagandha� 2.5gm, (8) Khursani Ajvayan� 1.25gm, (9) Giloya� 5gm, (10) Punarnava� 5gm, (11) Arjuna� 5gm (12) Varu�a� 2.5gm. Method of Preparation and Use: Take the above herbal (plant) medicine in the indicated amount (or a multiple of these, maintaining their mutual proportions as per those in the above mentioned amounts). Grind them to make a coarse powder. This mixed powder may be kept in an airtight container to protect it from moisture. For one day�s average dose of the kwatha, soak about 5-6 teaspoons (approximately 30 gms) of this mixture in about half-liter water sometime in the evening. Like for the other kwathas, this soaked solution is boiled the next morning on mild heat till it concentrates to one fourth of its original volume. It is then cooled to normal drinking temperature and filtered through a clean cloth piece. The filtered decoction is now ready for use. About half of it should be drunk in the morning itself and the remaining in the late afternoon/early evening. Care should be taken to keep the remaining amount of the kwatha protected from light, dust etc, and cool enough so that it remains in good condition till evening. Diet restraints should be strictly followed in case of insomnia, especially when it is caused due to hypertension. Intake of fried food should be avoided; meal in the night should be very light and devoid of all fats and fried things. Its quantity should also be about half of that in the morning (lunch). Two tablets of the Ayurvedic drug "Mahashankhavati" should be taken with water after each meal. This prevents acidity and heaviness or restlessness due to disturbed metabolism. Practice of meditation and japa provide excellent support in soothing the nervous system and relaxing and rejuvenating the mind-body system. Patients of insomnia must practice these regularly. As such, early morning and evening are the best times, but, as part of remedy against sleeplessness, the following easy practice may be adopted after going to bed. Lie down in the calming posture of "shavasana". The body should be straight but left loose, with hands and legs spread in their natural relaxing positions. Take a slow but deep breath and then exhale all your worries and tensions while breathing out in the same manner. Let the breathing go on at a natural pace thereafter; close your eyes and practice silent (mental) chanting of the Gayatri Mantra or the Mahamritunjaya Mantra; feel as though the subtle vibrations of the mantra are soothing even the tiniest nerve cells of the brain and the rest of the body. Gradually the pace of chanting should be slowed down and calming current of sleep should be invoked simultaneously in the imagination. This imagination should be coupled

with a feeling that the soothing sense of sleep is embracing every part of our being�. Within a few days, this simple practice together with the medicinal effects of the kwatha blesses the patient with the boon of good sleep. (Countinue)

Thanks GOD,Thanks Sadguru,

Shiv Sharma