Seeking Ayurvedic Help for Frontal Temporal Lobe Dementia and Sleep Issues - #46159

Hello I​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ really understand your situation. The physical exhaustion and emotional pain that come with the role of a caregiver and yet, the feeling of not being able to do anything about it are just too much at once. Besides, as far as the care of a loved one with frontotemporal dementia is concerned, it would be you, the sleepless nights that would be the most challenging. But dont worry we are here to help you out 😊

YOUR. CONCERN

Patient: Your husband Condition: Frontotemporal lobe dementia (progressive neurodegenerative disorder) Duration: 1-2 years Main troubling symptoms: –Severe sleep disturbance (wakes up multiple times at night) –Drooping neck, muscle stiffness –Slowness, low energy –No treatment taken so far

AYURVEDIC UNDERSTANDING

Ayurveda sees this issue as very similar to:

–Vata Pradhana Majja Dhatu Kshaya –Degeneration of brain and nervous tissue –Severe vata dosha aggravation –Disturbed Nidra (sleep), rigidity, weakness, loss of coordination

The main reason for the insomnia in this case is the nervous system’s aggravated Vata, not just mental stress.

Ayurveda does not go as far as to offer a remedy for dementia. Still, it can do a lot to pacify the nervous system, to sleep better, to ease the body, and to provide comfort and a better quality of life, which is of paramount importance to both the patient and the caregiver.

AYURVEDIC PLAN OF TREATMENT

INTERNAL MEDICATION (Main Focus – Sleep & Nervous System)

1.Brahmi Ghrita ½ teaspoon at night How to take: Dissolve in warm milk or warm water Benefits: –Nourishes brain tissue (Majja dhatu) –Improves sleep continuity –Calms agitation and restlessness

2.Ashwagandha Churna ½ teaspoon at night With: Warm milk Benefits: –Reduces anxiety –Improves sleep depth –Helps muscle weakness and fatigue

3.Jatamansi Churna (Very important for night sleep) 250 mg at bedtime With: Honey or warm water Benefits: –Natural sedative –Reduces night waking and restlessness –Safe for elderly in low dose

EXTERNAL THERAPIES

👉Daily Head & Foot Oil Massage (Shiro Abhyanga) Oil: Ksheerabala Taila or Brahmi Taila Method: Gentle massage on scalp and soles 5-10 minutes, 30 minutes before bedtime Even alone, this therapy can significantly improve sleep quality.

👉 For Muscle Stiffness & Drooping Neck

Abhyanga (Oil Massage) Oil: Mahanarayana Taila Areas: Neck, shoulders, spine Frequency: Daily or at least 5 days a week

👉 Gentle Gut Care (Important for Night Agitation) Triphala Churna Dose: ¼ teaspoon at bedtime With: Warm water Purpose: –Prevents constipation –Improves gut–brain axis –Reduces night discomfort

❌ Strong purgatives and fasting are not recommended.

DIET AND LIFESTYLE ADVICE

DIET

Warm, soft, freshly cooked food Early dinner (before 7 pm) Vegetable soups, rice gruel, khichdi Do not eat cold, dry, or leftover foods

NIGHT ROUTINE

Fixed sleep time daily Dim lights after sunset Calm environment (soft music or chanting) No loud TV or stimulation at night Routine itself helps pacify Vata.

Important Advice for YOU (Caregiver Care)

Your health matters a lot. If you keep on with chronic sleep deprivation, you may develop: –Hypertension –Anxiety, depression –Hormonal imbalance

Please give a try to: –A short nap when he is asleep during the day –Warm oil application on your own feet at night –Getting support from family/community for some breaks

This is not your weakness; rather, it is the care that you need.

When to Reduce or Stop Medicines –Very strong desire to sleep during the day –Diarrhea –Loss of appetite

In case of the occurrence of any of them, the doses should be lowered.

Even somewhat better sleep for him can be a great boost for your own health and vitality.

With compassion and respect, Dr Snehal ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌Vidhate

Sorry to here your sufferings For your husbands condition a palliative treatment can b suggested not completely curative, instead modern science doesnt have any medication for this. Brahmi Ghrita (medicated ghee)

• Dose: ½ tsp at night with warm milk • Calms brain, supports sleep cycles • Safer in neurodegenerative disorders

* If milk causes phlegm, give with warm water instead.

*Ashwagandha (ONLY if no severe agitation)

• Dose: 250 mg at night • Reduces nervous exhaustion and rigidity • Improves sleep depth

If he becomes more restless, stop it.

*Jatamansi powder or capsule

• One of the best herbs for dementia-related insomnia • Dose: 250–500 mg at night Very calming, helps night restlessness.

Start Pada Abhyanga (foot massage)

• Warm oil massage to feet before bed • Extremely calming for Vata-related insomnia

See Dementia brains depend on routine. Start Night routine importantly • Dim lights after sunset • No TV/mobile after evening • Soft chanting, instrumental music, or silence • Fixed bedtime (even if sleep is poor initially)

Also if there is any panchakarma centre consult for therapies

Dear Friend You have to go for Panchkarma treatment for better outcome.

Hlo, Thanks for your question

I’m really sorry you are going through this. What you’ve described is very hard, and as a caregiver your exhaustion and sleep loss are completely understandable. 🌿 We will surely help u in this.

✨Understanding his condition (Ayurveda view) -Frontotemporal dementia with: - muscle stiffness - neck drooping - slowing down - disturbed sleep - loss of energy → In Ayurveda, this closely resembles Vata-dominant degeneration (Vata vyadhi) affecting: - Majja dhatu (nervous tissue) - Mamsa dhatu (muscles) - Ojas depletion

⚠️ Important truth: Ayurveda cannot cure or reverse dementia, but it can help: - calm the nervous system - improve sleep - reduce stiffness & agitation - improve quality of life

support YOU as a caregiver MAIN GOAL RIGHT NOW 👉 Help him sleep at night 👉 Reduce stiffness & agitation 👉 Protect your health as caregiver

Ayurvedic approach for SLEEP (most important)

1️⃣ Gentle Ayurvedic medicines-

A. Brahmi Ghrita - Dose: ½ teaspoon at night - Method: mix in warm milk - Benefit: calms mind, supports sleep, nervous system nourishment

B. Ashwagandha powder - Dose: ½ teaspoon at night With warm milk - Benefit: reduces Vata, improves sleep, reduces weakness

2️⃣ External therapy Abhyanga (oil massage) – NIGHT - Oil: Ksheerabala tailam or Mahanarayana tailam - Areas: feet (very important) neck & shoulders,spine - Time: 15–20 minutes before bed 🟢 This alone can significantly improve sleep in Vata disorders. 3️⃣ Shiro Abhyanga (Head oiling) - Oil: Brahmi oil Frequency: daily or alternate days - Benefit: calms restlessness, improves night sleep

-For muscle stiffness & drooping neck- - Continue oil massage daily - Gentle passive movements only (do NOT force) - Warm fomentation (hot towel) after oiling

✨Simple bedtime routine-

Keep it same every night: - Warm oil massage - Warm milk with medicine - Low lights - No loud sounds or TV - Gentle chanting / soft instrumental music

🟡 Dementia patients respond better to routine than medicines alone ✨Diet guidelines (to reduce Vata) - Warm, soft, easy-to-digest food

To avoid -❌ - cold food - dry snacks - raw salads

Prefer: - rice gruel - khichdi - soups - ghee in small amounts

For YOU as caregiver ✨ Your health matters equally. If he doesn’t sleep:- - Try daytime rest whenever possible - Ask family or professional caregiver help even a few hours/week - If sleep deprivation continues → medical sleep support may be necessary, even alongside Ayurveda

✨✨There is NO shame in combining Ayurveda + modern medicine here.✨✨

VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE----- Before starting medicines:- - Confirm if he is on any psychiatric or neurological drugs - Start low dose - Observe for 3–5 days

Thanks

I can truly feel how exhausting this has been for you, and I want you to know that your struggle as a caregiver is very real and valid

Front temporal dementia is a progressive condition, and even in Ayurveda, we do not promise Cure at this stage I, however, Ayurvedic care can still help by bringing more to the nervous system, eating stiffness and more importantly, helping with sleep at night time restlessness

For sleep, a regular evening routine is very important Massaging with warm coconut oil over the feet, like shoulder and back of neck before bedtime can help the body and mind Avoid now our screen and try to keep bedtime and wake up time the same every day Can you give him warm milk before sleep

The medicine that help produce night waking and restless without making the person drowsy or confused can be started like ashwagandha Brahmi Overtime, they may help him sleep for longer stretches at night

Please also take care of yourself. Lack of sleep. Will affect your health, and you cannot pour from an empty cup … share his age, current medicines, digestion, and whether he becomes agitated at night, I can guide you more precisely

take bramhi tab 2 bd take ashwagandha 2 bd take livtone 2 bd take tagar 2 bd do nasya with bramhi ghee at 6pm and 6 am each nostril 2 drops take a2 cow ghee 5 ml at empty stomch AT EVERY MORNING DO PADAABHYAN WITH BLACK TIL OIL AND COW GHEE DAILY FOLOWP 30 DAYS

In Ayurveda, FTD is a condition where the Vata dosha (Air element) dries up the brain tissue. The drooping neck and stiffness indicate that this Vata has now entered the muscles/nerves.

We may not be able to reverse the diagnosis, but we can calm the Vata to reduce stiffness and induce sleep.

Medicines 1 Manasamitra Vatakam: 2 tablets at night (30 mins before bed) with warm milk. 2 Brahmi Ghrita: 1 teaspoon in the morning on an empty stomach with warm water. 3 Maha Yograj Guggulu: 2 tablets twice daily with warm water (after food). 4 Ashwagandharishta: 20ml mixed with 20ml warm water, twice daily (after food).

External Therapy Shiropichu (Oil Pad): Soak a cotton pad in warm Ksheerabala Tailam (or Brahmi Oil). Place it on the Crown of the Head (Vertex). Leave it on for 45 minutes before bedtime (secure with a bandage or shower cap).

Caregiver & Diet Advice Nutmeg Milk: Add a pinch of Nutmeg (Jaiphal) powder to his warm milk at night.

Diet: Serve only Warm, Soupy foods. Avoid dry foods (biscuits/bread) and raw salads.

Foot Massage: Rub warm oil on the soles of his feet for 5 minutes before bed.

Regards Dr Gursimran Jeet Singh MD Panchakarma

🧘‍♀️ Anulomvilom and Bhramari Pranayam will help. But have to do it early in the morning only.

❌ Donot drink tea or coffee or aerated drinks.

✔️ A glass of buffalo milk daily before sleep; it will help to get a sound sleep. If milk causes phlegm avoid it

✔️ 100 steps after both meals are must.

✔️ Eat only home cooked food… Avoid outside food, packed and processed food.

✔️ Prefer natural liquids like fruit juice, coconut water, lemon juice, kokum sharbat over packed ones.

💊 Medication: 💊

Cap. Memorine 2 caps twice a day before food Tab. Manasmitra Vatak 2 tabs twice a day before food

Bhrami ghrita 1 tsp in both meals.

Light head massage with lukewarm BHRAMI OIL.

Tab. Prasham 3 tabs at bed time with milk.(if he can consume syrups properly please use prasham syrup 4 tsp)

Light body massage with luke warm sesame seed oil followed by simple steam with a cloth dipped in hot water and squeezed to semi dry.

In Ayurveda, conditions affecting the neurological system, like Frontotemporal Lobe Dementia, are often linked to an imbalance in Vata dosha, which governs movement and the nervous system. Although Ayurveda cannot reverse dementia, it can potentially provide support through lifestyle and dietary modifications aimed at balancing Vata and supporting brain function. For your husband’s situation, alongside regular medical care, adopting certain Ayurvedic approaches may offer some relief, especially regarding his sleep issues.

Consider using Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera), a revered herb in Ayurveda known for its adaptogenic properties and calming effects on the nervous system. A standardized extract (about 500 mg) taken twice daily might help in pacifying vata and improving sleep quality. Another essential herb is Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), traditionally used to enhance cognitive function, which can be consumed as a decoction or in tablet form (two tablets, twice daily being a usual dose).

Massage therapy, or Abhyanga, might also aid in relaxation, improving circulation and promoting sleep. Use warm sesame oil, which is pacifying for Vata, and gently massage his body, focusing on the head and neck area, at least 2-3 times a week, preferably in the evening. This may help ease muscle stiffness and soothe his nervous system.

Diet-wise, ensure he eats light but nourishing meals. Soft, warm meals such as kitchari (a porridge-like mixture of rice and mung beans) may be easier to digest, preventing accumulation of ama (toxins). Encourage intake of ghee, which is nourishing for the tissues, in small amounts, if he can digest dairy.

Finally, encourage a stable daily routine, as Vata benefits from consistency. Establish regular sleeping and waking times, provide a calm environment at night, dim the lights, and avoid stimulating activities before bed. Perhaps, playing calming music or chanting might provide a serene atmosphere conducive to sleep.

Remember, while these remedies can help, always consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner for personalized advice and ensure they do not interfere with current medical treatment.

Take pathyadikada 20ml bd, shankapushi syrup 20ml bd, manasamithra vatakam 1tab bd, Brahmi vati 1tab bd enough u ll get results

Dr RC BAMS MS