Sleep Health

Key sleep health facts

The Science of Sleep's Importance

Sleep is infrastructure, not luxury. In the United States, 37% of adults sleep less than 7 hours nightly, and an estimated 850 million adults worldwide experience insomnia symptoms. Insufficient sleep links to higher risks for chronic disease, poor cardiovascular health, and reduced quality of life.

ASPECT BENEFIT

Duration (7-9 hours)

Supports memory, mood, immunity, hormones

Quality (consolidated sleep)

Enables tissue repair and emotional processing

Regularity (consistent timing)

Reduces biological jet lag and disease risk

Heart health

Now part of American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8

ASPECT

Duration (7-9 hours)

BENEFIT

Supports memory, mood, immunity, hormones

ASPECT

Quality (consolidated sleep)

BENEFIT

Enables tissue repair and emotional processing

ASPECT

Regularity (consistent timing)

BENEFIT

Reduces biological jet lag and disease risk

ASPECT

Heart health

BENEFIT

Now part of American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8

Children and teens require more sleep: 12 to 16 hours for infants 4 to 12 months; 11 to 14 hours for ages 1 to 2; 10 to 13 hours for ages 3 to 5; 9 to 12 hours for ages 6 to 12; and 8 to 10 hours for ages 13 to 18.

How Sleep Heals: Night Physiology

While you sleep, you cycle through non-REM and REM stages. Non-REM deep sleep repairs physical tissue and regulates immunity. REM sleep files memories and settles emotion. Blood pressure naturally dips, hormone rhythms guide repair, and metabolic waste clears more efficiently.

These are not optional upgrades. They are the nightly maintenance that prevents daytime performance from slowly degrading.

The Ayurvedic Foundation

The Three Doshas and Sleep Patterns

Ayurveda describes three governing patterns of function called doshas (constitutional types):

Dosha Quality Sleep Pattern Imbalanced Effect

Vata

Movement & Air

Trouble falling or staying asleep

Racing mind, fidgeting, difficulty sleeping

Pitta

Heat & Transformation

Middle-of-night waking (10 pm to 2 am)

Overheating, feeling keyed up

Kapha

Stability & Lubrication

Excessive sleep, morning heaviness

Unrefreshed waking, sluggishness

Dosha

Vata

Quality

Movement & Air

Sleep Pattern

Trouble falling or staying asleep

Imbalanced Effect

Racing mind, fidgeting, difficulty sleeping

Dosha

Pitta

Quality

Heat & Transformation

Sleep Pattern

Middle-of-night waking (10 pm to 2 am)

Imbalanced Effect

Overheating, feeling keyed up

Dosha

Kapha

Quality

Stability & Lubrication

Sleep Pattern

Excessive sleep, morning heaviness

Imbalanced Effect

Unrefreshed waking, sluggishness

Understanding your pattern helps you personalize your approach to sleep health.

Three Core Levers: Duration, Quality, and Regularity

Think of sleep health as a three-part dial:

Most adults benefit from 7 to 9 hours nightly. Many average less than 7, especially shift workers and caregiving parents.

Fragmented or shallow sleep is not restorative. Alcohol, late caffeine, bright evening light, noise, and pain erode sleep depth.

Consistent sleep and wake times each day reduce biological jet lag and link with better metabolic, cardiovascular, and mood outcomes. Regularity is now considered core to sleep health.

Sleep Problems: Recognition & Traditional Support

Common pattern: Vata (movement and variability) imbalance

Helpful daily anchors: Fixed bedtime, earlier wind-down, warm bath, low light, gentle breathwork, journaling to offload racing thoughts.

Traditional formulations that support balance
# / PreparationTypePrimary ActionOptionalExtra
Karpoora Thailam
OilImproves circulation and reduces inflammatory heat
Gokshuradi Guggulu Tablets
TabletSuppresses inflammatory signals and supports cartilage integrity
Gruhadhoomadi Powder
Herb blendEases inflammatory discomfort with plant antioxidants
Amritotharam Kashayam
PreparationRegulates immune function and calms overactive responses
Karpoora Thailam
Type
Oil
Primary Action
Improves circulation and reduces inflammatory heat
Gokshuradi Guggulu Tablets
Type
Tablet
Primary Action
Suppresses inflammatory signals and supports cartilage integrity
Gruhadhoomadi Powder
Type
Herb blend
Primary Action
Eases inflammatory discomfort with plant antioxidants
Amritotharam Kashayam
Type
Preparation
Primary Action
Regulates immune function and calms overactive responses

Common pattern: Vata imbalance

Helpful anchors: Consistent wake time, daytime light exposure, limit naps to 20 minutes, avoid late caffeine.

Traditional formulations that support resilience
# / PreparationTypePrimary ActionOptionalExtra
Dhanwantharam Thailam
OilEnhances circulation and nourishes bone tissues
Dhanwantharam Kashaya Tablets
TabletEncourages bone-forming cells and limits bone breakdown
Dashamoola Powder
Herb blendReduces oxidative stress that accelerates bone loss
Dhanwantharam Ghritam
PreparationDelivers nutrients to bone and marrow tissues
Dhanwantharam Thailam
Type
Oil
Primary Action
Enhances circulation and nourishes bone tissues
Dhanwantharam Kashaya Tablets
Type
Tablet
Primary Action
Encourages bone-forming cells and limits bone breakdown
Dashamoola Powder
Type
Herb blend
Primary Action
Reduces oxidative stress that accelerates bone loss
Dhanwantharam Ghritam
Type
Preparation
Primary Action
Delivers nutrients to bone and marrow tissues

Common pattern: Vata imbalance

Helpful anchors: Strengthen evening routine, light afternoon resistance training, keep bedroom cool and dark.

Traditional formulations that support recovery
# / PreparationTypePrimary ActionOptionalExtra
Gandha Thailam
OilImproves circulation around injury sites
Laksadi Guggulu Tablets
TabletStimulates bone builders and enhances mineral deposition
Devadaru Powder
HerbReduces swelling and pain signaling
Kshirabala 101
PreparationProtects nerves and muscles while delivering nourishment
Gandha Thailam
Type
Oil
Primary Action
Improves circulation around injury sites
Laksadi Guggulu Tablets
Type
Tablet
Primary Action
Stimulates bone builders and enhances mineral deposition
Devadaru Powder
Type
Herb
Primary Action
Reduces swelling and pain signaling
Kshirabala 101
Type
Preparation
Primary Action
Protects nerves and muscles while delivering nourishment

Common pattern: Pitta (heat and transformation) imbalance

Helpful anchors: Earlier dinner, reduce alcohol, keep room slightly cooler, lukewarm shower before bed.

Traditional formulations that support mobility
# / PreparationTypePrimary ActionOptionalExtra
Kshirabala Tailam
OilSoftens stiff tissues and improves flexibility
Maharasnadi Kwath Ghan
TabletSReduces inflammatory enzymes and enhances joint function
Dashamoola Powder
Herb blendReduces inflammatory signals for improved movement
Vidaryadhi Ghritam
PreparationNourishes muscles and joints, restoring lubrication
Kshirabala Tailam
Type
Oil
Primary Action
Softens stiff tissues and improves flexibility
Maharasnadi Kwath Ghan
Type
Tablet
Primary Action
SReduces inflammatory enzymes and enhances joint function
Dashamoola Powder
Type
Herb blend
Primary Action
Reduces inflammatory signals for improved movement
Vidaryadhi Ghritam
Type
Preparation
Primary Action
Nourishes muscles and joints, restoring lubrication

Common pattern: Pitta imbalance

Helpful anchors: Cool, dark room, breathable bedding, hydration earlier in day, spice and alcohol moderation at dinner.

Traditional formulations that support comfort
# / PreparationTypePrimary ActionOptionalExtra
Prabhanjana Vimardanam Thailam
OilImproves circulation and calms overactive nerve signaling
Varunadi Kasayam Tablets
TabletSupports drainage of excess joint fluid
Kolakulathadi Powder
Herb blendDraws fluid and improves microcirculation
Abhayaristam
PreparationStrengthens digestion and reduces inflammatory load
Prabhanjana Vimardanam Thailam
Type
Oil
Primary Action
Improves circulation and calms overactive nerve signaling
Varunadi Kasayam Tablets
Type
Tablet
Primary Action
Supports drainage of excess joint fluid
Kolakulathadi Powder
Type
Herb blend
Primary Action
Draws fluid and improves microcirculation
Abhayaristam
Type
Preparation
Primary Action
Strengthens digestion and reduces inflammatory load

Common pattern: Kapha (stability and moisture) imbalanceHelpful anchors: Set firm wake alarm, morning light within 30 minutes of waking, brisk walk before breakfast.

Traditional formulations that support balance
# / PreparationTypePrimary ActionOptionalExtra
Prabhanjana Vimardanam Thailam
OilImproves circulation and calms overactive nerve signaling
Varunadi Kasayam Tablets
TabletSupports drainage of excess joint fluid
Kolakulathadi Powder
Herb blendDraws fluid and improves microcirculation
Abhayaristam
PreparationStrengthens digestion and reduces inflammatory load
Prabhanjana Vimardanam Thailam
Type
Oil
Primary Action
Improves circulation and calms overactive nerve signaling
Varunadi Kasayam Tablets
Type
Tablet
Primary Action
Supports drainage of excess joint fluid
Kolakulathadi Powder
Type
Herb blend
Primary Action
Draws fluid and improves microcirculation
Abhayaristam
Type
Preparation
Primary Action
Strengthens digestion and reduces inflammatory load

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Common pattern: Kapha imbalance

Helpful anchors: Avoid snooze cycles, use bright light and movement in first 10 minutes, keep consistent bedtime.

Traditional formulations that support balance
# / PreparationTypePrimary ActionOptionalExtra
Prabhanjana Vimardanam Thailam
OilImproves circulation and calms overactive nerve signaling
Varunadi Kasayam Tablets
TabletSupports drainage of excess joint fluid
Kolakulathadi Powder
Herb blendDraws fluid and improves microcirculation
Abhayaristam
PreparationStrengthens digestion and reduces inflammatory load
Prabhanjana Vimardanam Thailam
Type
Oil
Primary Action
Improves circulation and calms overactive nerve signaling
Varunadi Kasayam Tablets
Type
Tablet
Primary Action
Supports drainage of excess joint fluid
Kolakulathadi Powder
Type
Herb blend
Primary Action
Draws fluid and improves microcirculation
Abhayaristam
Type
Preparation
Primary Action
Strengthens digestion and reduces inflammatory load

Recommended products

Select products for this tab in the block settings.
Category

Common pattern: Kapha congestion

Helpful anchors: Shift to side-sleeping, avoid heavy late dinners, reduce alcohol at night, use simple saline nasal rinse before bed, elevate head of bed.

Traditional formulations that support balance
# / PreparationTypePrimary ActionOptionalExtra
Prabhanjana Vimardanam Thailam
OilImproves circulation and calms overactive nerve signaling
Varunadi Kasayam Tablets
TabletSupports drainage of excess joint fluid
Kolakulathadi Powder
Herb blendDraws fluid and improves microcirculation
Abhayaristam
PreparationStrengthens digestion and reduces inflammatory load
Prabhanjana Vimardanam Thailam
Type
Oil
Primary Action
Improves circulation and calms overactive nerve signaling
Varunadi Kasayam Tablets
Type
Tablet
Primary Action
Supports drainage of excess joint fluid
Kolakulathadi Powder
Type
Herb blend
Primary Action
Draws fluid and improves microcirculation
Abhayaristam
Type
Preparation
Primary Action
Strengthens digestion and reduces inflammatory load

Recommended products

Select products for this tab in the block settings.

How Recovery Works

An integrated System

Building Your Sleep Routine: Three Phases

Phase 1: Daytime Foundations

  • Light: Get 30 to 60 minutes of outdoor morning light to anchor your circadian clock and ensure reliable melatonin rise at night.
  • Activity: Move most days. Cardio and resistance training improve sleep depth. Finish vigorous workouts several hours before bed.
  • Caffeine: Many sleepers benefit from caffeine cut-off 8 hours before bedtime.
  • Naps: Keep naps to 10 to 20 minutes, finishing before midafternoon.
  • Regularity: Choose a fixed wake time you can keep 7 days a week. Regularity is a powerful lever.

Phase 2: Evening Glide Path

  • Temperature and light: Dim your home one hour before bed. Keep the bedroom cool.
  • Meals and alcohol: Lighter dinners earlier in evening support sleep continuity. Alcohol fragments sleep and reduces REM (dream stage).
  • Mental downshifting: Ten minutes of journaling, gratitude writing, or gentle breathwork shifts you from active to restful.
  • Optional practices: A brief Ksheerabala tailam (herbal oil with milk and Bala herb) head or foot massage can ground restless nights.

Phase 3: Night Protocol

  • Bed is for sleep: If you cannot sleep after 15 to 20 minutes, get out of bed and do something calm in low light until sleepy.
  • Stimulus control: Keep bedroom dark, quiet, and cool. Reserve bed for sleep and intimacy only.
  • Wake time protection: Protect your chosen wake time, even after a rough night. This builds regularity and deeper sleep.

Integrating Science and Pattern: A Practical Framework

Science gives you measurable levers: adequate hours, minimal fragmentation, and regular timing.

Pattern thinking helps you choose the right emphasis: calming and warming for Vata restlessness, cooling and smoothing for Pitta wakefulness, activating and lightening for Kapha heaviness.

Together they form a practical framework. You do not need to adopt every practice. Choose one or two changes per week and let consistency compound.

When to Seek Care

Red flags warranting professional evaluation include:

  • Loud snoring with choking, gasping, or witnessed pauses
  • Morning headaches, unrefreshing sleep, or excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Persistent insomnia lasting more than 3 months
  • Restless legs, abnormal movements during sleep, or violent dream enactment
  • Mood changes out of proportion to life stress

These signs deserve evaluation by a licensed healthcare provider. Untreated sleep disorders increase risks for injuries, cardiometabolic disease, and reduced quality of life.