Getting enough sleep is essential for maintaining good health, as explained in Acharya Charaka’s "Traya Upastambha" (the three sub-triangles of the body)[i]. Sleep has been accorded equal weight with "Aahara" and "Brahmacharya." To preserve excellent health, all three of these actions should be taken. The phenomenon of Nidra is vital to the upkeep and reconstruction of the body and psyche. Nidra is thus a tranquil quality bestowed by the natural world. Modern science has come to recognize the importance of sleep due to its restorative and healing properties for living things. There is a direct correlation between sleep and mental health[ii]. Therefore, this innate desire for sleep may be impacted by Manasabhava, an invisible signal such as greed, annoyance, fear, etc. Therefore, before recommending any medication to patients suffering from sleeplessness, it is imperative that Manasabhava be thoroughly explored. The sedentary lifestyle of this age group contributes to the high prevalence of psychosomatic diseases in society. Periodically, new comfort measures are designed. Man is still mentally disturbed, which finally throws off the psycho-neuro-biological rhythm of sleep, a topic that is extensively covered within the category of sleep disorders. In the Eighty Vata Nanatamaja Vyadhi, Charaka also mentioned Nidranasha, which can be linked to insomnia in modern science. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, insomnia is defined as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or having enough opportunity for sleep, along with associated impairment of daytime functioning, with symptoms present for at least four weeks. Although insomnia is the most common complaint related to sleep, it degrades quality of life, so it requires immediate attention in the modern world. Approximately one-third of people worldwide suffer from various sleep disorders at some point in their lives, with insomnia being the most common. Prevalence-Depending on the criteria, 8–40% of people in the general population experience insomnia. While 8–10% of the general population suffers from chronic insomnia, 20–30% of people have poor sleep (i.e., insomnia symptoms such as trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, early morning awakenings, or non-restorative sleep at any given time). Additionally, 4% of people regularly take sleeping drugs[iii] .While Vagbhata used the phrase Aswapna in Vataj Nanatmaja Vikara[iv]⁴, he mentioned it in Trayopastambha. In Vataj Nanatmaja Vikar, Sharangadhara talked about Anidra. Therefore, Nidra, Anidra and Nidranash were important to all of the Acharyas. In actuality, throughout the last three decades, modern psychiatry has experienced a dramatic advancement in its comprehension of mental capacities and related topics. Need of study-Allopathic physicians give many kinds of tranquilizers to treat sleeplessness. Although they initially provide significant relief from insomnia, prolonged use of them can have a number of harmful side effects, including drug dependence. It seems that sleep issues were widespread throughout the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. Higher levels of stress have been linked to sleep issues. In a situation like this, effective natural insomnia treatment is immediately needed. This can be achieved by using herbal remedies, receiving competent counselling, and maintaining an appropriate lifestyle. Numerous daily regimens, including Murdha Taila, Nasya, Snehana, and others, have been referenced in the Dinacharya and Ritucharya chapters of Ayurvedic literature.

According to Ayurveda, the nose serves as the entrance to the cranium and that Nasya Karma can cure any sickness affecting the supraclavicular region[v]. The cerebral centre in the head has an indirect connection to Nasa. Nasya Karma helps achieve a perfectly balanced oxygen level in the body and eliminates all morbid Doshas. Ayurveda has a potent approach towards the treatment of Anidra by both internal and external medications. Need has always been felt to develop certain Ayurvedic treatment modality for the management of Nidranash (Insomnia) which could be safe, effective, cost effective without any side effects. Acharaya Sushruta has described fourteen Kaal (Time) of administration of Nasya among them one of the most suitable times for Nasya[vi].

Pouring of a liquid on the forehead or scalp is known as the Shirodhara, it can be done by different medicaments like Taila, Takra, Kshira, Kwatha, etc. When it is done with medicated Ghee or Taila, it is called Taila Dhara. This Taila Dhara is included in the varieties of Murdha Taila, which are: Abhyanga, Seka, Pichu and Basti. They are told ‘Uttarottar Gunaprada’. Dhara is not only used in psychic disease but also used in psychosomatic diseases like Insomnia, IBS (irritable bowel     syndrome), psoriasis etc. Nowadays, it is indicated in almost all stress and psychosomatic disorders such as IBS, Asthma, Neurological disorders viz. Headache, epilepsy, and psychiatric disorders like psychosis, neurosis, insomnia and also in psoriasis, eczema, H.T. etc. Keeping all these facts in mind, a comparative clinical trial of Shirodhara and Nasya along with Basti in the management of Nidranash has been planned. 

According to Acharya Charak Basti is the best treatment for vata vyadhi. Charak also explained dominance of vata in insomnia. So basti can be used in treatment of insomnia. Snehana is also used in vata dosha that’s why shirodhara as a bahya Sneha is used in the treatment of insomnia.

Primary objective-.