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
Thank you for contacting Ask Ayurveda Being a full time caregiver to someone with frontotemporal dementia is emotionally, physically, and mentally exhausting.The sleep deprivation you are facing is not a small issue , it slowly breaks the caregivers health, and Ayurveda always considers the caregiver’s wellbeing as essential for the patient’s care.
Frontotemporal dementia is a progressive neuro degenerative condition. Ayurveda does not claim a cure at this stage, especially when the disease has advanced over 1–2 years with stiffness, neck drooping, loss of energy, and disturbed sleep.But Ayurveda can still help in three very important ways to calm the nervous system, to improve sleep and reduce night agitation, and to slow further deterioration while improving comfort and quality of life.
According to ayurveda , what you are seeing now is a severe imbalance of the nervous system with dominance of dryness, degeneration, stiffness, and loss of rhythm. This is why his muscles are rigid, movements are slow, neck is drooping, and sleep is fragmented. Night time waking happens because the brain has lost its natural day night rhythm. This is very common in dementia and is extremely difficult to manage .
In such cases forcing sleep rarely works…The approach is to settle the nervous system slowly and consistently, especially in the evening. Harsh sedatives are avoided for dementia because they increase confusion and falls.
If it is possible, gentle oil application before bedtime is one of the most effective tools. Warm oil massage to the feet, calves, palms, shoulders, and back of the neck for even 10–15 minutes can make a real difference. Use plain sesame oilor oil like Bala oil or Ashwagandha oil if possible…The touch itself is therapeutic.
After oil application, keep him warm and dim the lights. Avoid television,loud sounds, or stimulation after sunset. Even if he does not sleep immediately, this routine help in reducing night agitation over time.
Internally, Ayurveda usually uses formulations for sleep in neurodegenerative cases. These are not strong sleeping pills unlike like allopathic medicine but work gradually. A combination containing ingredients that support the nervous system and bring down restlessness is preferred. Commonly used medicines include brain tonics and relaxing preparations taken at night with warm milk or warm water.
In such conditions, you can expect results in 7–14 days of consistency are usually needed before night awakenings reduce.
Now, about his stiffness, drooping neck, and slowing down ,these are signs of advanced degeneration. Daily gentle passive movements, even if he cannot actively exercise, are very important. Slowly moving his joints, neck, arms, and legs once or twice a day prevents further rigidity and helps circulation.
Include warm, soft, and nourishing foods in his diet… Soups, soft rice, well-cooked vegetables, porridge, and warm milk are better. Avoud dry cold raw and spicy foods Avoid dehydration and ensure small sips of warm fluids through out the day.
First of all , you must protect your own health. If possible, try to take short naps during the day when he rests. If there is any family support, even for a few nights a week, please accept it because Chronic sleep deprivation weakens the immunity, it worsens anxiety, and can lead to depression
I would strongly suggest that if you choose Ayurvedic treatment, it should be done under guidance, because dementia patients require very careful close monitoring . If you can tell me his age, current medications ,appetite, bowel pattern, and whether he becomes agitated or aggressive at night, I can guide you more specifically and safely.
While we cannot reverse the disease, we can try to bring him more Relaxed nights, less agitated, and better comfort and meanwhile give you some rest and relief. That itself is meaningful healing.
Regards prasad
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
