Ayurvedic Herbs for Sleep

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal · Ashvagandha, Vajikari, Balada, Kushtagandhi, Varahakarni · Part used: Root (primary — all major clinical trials use root extractA concentrated preparation made by pulling the active compounds out of a raw herb, usually using water, alcohol, or another solvent — generally stronger, dose-for-dose, than the raw plant material.; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India Part I Volume I specifies root as official part); leaf (used in some commercial extracts, withanolide content differs from root); berry (folk use only, insufficient clinical data)

Convolvulus pluricaulis Choisy · Shankhapushpi, Shankhahva, Sadaphuli, Mangalyakusuma, Ksheerapushpi · Part used: Whole plant — aerial parts including stem, leaf, flower, and root used together. Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) Part I Volume III specifies the whole plant as the official part. Root alone used in some preparations. Significant identification problem: three botanically distinct species are sold and used under the name Shankhpushpi — Convolvulus pluricaulis Choisy, Evolvulus alsinoides (L.) L., and Clitoria ternatea L. These are pharmacologically non-equivalent. All published clinical studies must specify the botanical source — studies using an unspecified Shankhpushpi cannot be generalised.

Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell · Brahmi (ब्राह्मी) · Part used: Whole aerial plant (Panchanga — entire above-ground portion: stem, leaves, flowers, and fruit used together). Fresh plant juice (Swarasa) is considered most potent in classical preparations. Dried whole plant powder is used in commercial formulations. Root is not traditionally used medicinally.