ROLE OF SARPAGANDHA VATI IN NIDRANASHA (PRIMARY INSOMNIA)

Abstract

Background: Insomnia is the most common of all sleep disorders, in which there is inability to fall asleep or to stay asleep as long as desired. In comparison to the therapeutic procedure of different systems of medicine, Ayurveda has good approach towards the treatment of Insomnia in terms of both internal and external therapies. The drug Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia serpentina Benth ex.kuntz) has been widely used in the management of hypertension and insomnia, no study has been carried out to prove its efficacy in insomnia as a single drug. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of Sarpagandha Vati in Nidranasha (Primary Insomnia). Study design: A single group, open labeled, uncontrolled, prospective clinical study with minimum 30 patients with pre and post test design. Methods and Material: Study was conducted on 30 patients of Nidranasha (primary Insomnia) who fell under inclusion criteria. Sarpagandha tablets of 500mg each were prepared with one Bhavana of Sarpagandha Moola Kashaya (root decoction). One tablet was advised in the morning after breakfast and at night, before bedtime with water for the duration of one month. Results: Highly significant improvements were observed in chief complaints like sleep initiation (p= <0.001), maintaining sleep (p= <0.001) early morning awakening (p=<0.001). Significant improvement were seen in Angamarda (p = <0.001),Shirogaurava (p = <0.001), Jrumbha (p = <0.001),Tandra(p = <0.001 etc associated complaints from before treatment to after treatment. Conclusions: Among other alkaloids reserpine is the one that decides the action of the drug. Hence it can be concluded that Sarpagandha Vati can be effectively used in the management of Nidranasha.