Easy tricks for Insomnia.

Hi friends, this is Anasuya, Matt’s classmate. One of the most common complaints that I hear from people is not being able to sleep. Tibetan medicine has many effective and easy home remedies for the treatment of insomnia. Some of them are things you have probably heard from your mother or grandmother and it turns out that they’re right!

In Tibetan medicine insomnia is associated with an imbalance of rlung, one of the 3 main humors in the body. This can happen for lots of different reasons. For instance if we spend all day engaged in very active mental activity, or just overwork in general, dealing with grief or intense emotion, spending a lot of time in a cold, windy place and not wearing warm clothing. Even the season or our diet can also effect the body so it is useful to have a few tricks to help balance our bodies. Here are some easy things you can try at home if you are having trouble sleeping.

* Take a hot bath at night before you go to bed, stay in it at least 15 minutes to allow your body to relax and the heat to penetrate. (I have a friend who suffered from insomnia for years and tried everything including sleeping pills, this was the only thing that finally helped him.)

* Rub oil all over your body, especially the soles of your feet, palms, and if you don’t mind getting your hair a bit oily put some on the top of your head (crown chakra). Any oil will do, sesame oil is especially good, but olive oil, ghee or unsalted butter will also work. If you have a good friend or partner who is willing, have them massage the center of your palms and the soles of your feet.

* Have a warming drink before bed. Traditionally a good quality aged chang or wine is used but I subscribe to a hot buttered rum myself. Put a half ounce or at most an ounce of rum in a small glass with a teaspoon of brown sugar and a small amount of butter (1/2 to 1 tsp), add boiling water, grate or sprinkle fresh nutmeg on top. Voila! A delicious nighttime drink that reduces excess rlung.
If you don’t drink alcohol substitute hot milk for the rum and water.

* Don’t drink caffeinated drinks after 1 or 2 in the afternoon as caffeine increases rlung.

* In general avoid: noisy places, upsetting, stimulating situations or people or books (especially at night), and cold places or cold, rough food such as raw foods.
do: eat and drink warm, nutritious food, be with close friends or calm people, keep the lights low and keep warm (cuddle up in a blanket or by a fire).

This is not an exhaustive list but some of the first things to try when dealing with insomnia. You can try them separately or try several things together to see what works for you. Sweet dreams.