Role of sleep-in immunity: Ayurveda perspective

Abstract

Like proper diet, proper sleep is also essential for the maintenance of good health. Most people these days do not know how much sleep is needed and place themselves and sometimes others at risk for medical problems. Ayurveda is one of the oldest and most successful medical traditions still in use today. Maintaining good health in the healthy and restoring health to the sick are the two primary goals of Ayurvedic medicine. The principles and practices of sleep & immunity mentioned in several traditional Ayurvedic text books including Brihattrayee, Laghutrayee, their commentaries, and published research papers are used as the basis for this review. Dincharya (daily routine), Ritucharya, healthy nutrition, exercise, certain foods like milk, Rasayana's like Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), meditation, Yoga-pranayama, and Achara Rasayana (good conduct of behaviour). are few of the immune moderators recommended by Ayurveda. Unlike the idea of contemporary medicine, which focuses on immunization against a single infectious agent or illness, Vyaadhiksamatva encompasses a far broader notion of generalized immunity in Ayurveda. According to Ayurveda, sleep is one of the important pillars (upastambha traya) which sustain life. To better grasp the Ayurvedic stance proper sleep for healthy immune system we provide here a complete analysis of the relevant ancient literature of Ayurveda.