Potential Applications of Traditional Medicinal Plants for Treating Sleep Disorders

Abstract

Sleep disorders involve conditions such as insomnia, sleep apnoea and restless leg syndrome and they are realised in almost everyone ranging from children to the elderly globally. To this time, folk medicinal practices in India including West Bengal are rich in terms of Ayurveda, Unani and folk medicine: a number of herbs from these practices have been used to cure sleep disorders. Hence, vegetation and herbal medicine like Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Hops (Humulus lupulus), Kava (Piper methysticum), St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum), Magnolia bark (Magnolia officinalis), Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba), California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica), Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), Chinese Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis), Saffron (Crocus sativus), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi), Tagar (Valeriana wallichii),Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) and Shushni shak (Marsilea minuta) are used consistently in order to treat sleep disorders as they act as sedatives & stress busters. Ashwagandha commonly referred to as the ‘Indian ginseng’ is an effective adaptogen that has the benefits of decreasing stress and anxiety, two relevant causes of insomnia. Antioxidants, withanolides in particular have also exhibited a potential capacity to improve sleep quality via regulation of the body’s stress levels. Brahmi, another valued plant, is devoted to increasing the intelligence of people. Some traditional pharmacological uses include the enhancement of mental stability, eradication of anxiety and the general prevention of sleeplessness. That is why the effect of Brahmi on different neurotransmitter concentrations has been proven to help improve the limits of sleep regulation. Jatamansi, because of its calming nature was traditionally used for ailments that caused sleeplessness such as insomnia and other nervous disorders. Owing to its constituents like jatamansone and nardostachone it is used for its root extract that exhibits sedative activity through its action on the CNS. Tagar has valerenic acid and other oils that soothe the brains and nervous system of a human being. Shankhapushpi plant is used to cure mental disorders which it achieves through the presence of alkaloids and flavonoids that enable a person to have sound sleep. The tea prepared using dried chamomile flowers is consumed by many people as a treatment for mild cases of insomnia and anxiety. Vacha is used in either a form of decoction or as a powder to cure sleep disorders induced by stress as well as mental tiredness. The use of these plants in the modern approaches to the management of sleep disorders is perfect since it provides a natural way to manage it. In this particular book chapter, the author discussed the possibility of using plants traditional medicinal plants for treating sleep disorders.