Abstract

LAKHLAKHA (OLFACTION THERAPY) FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC INSOMNIA: A CASE REPORT

Mo Salman Nagori*, Mehmooda Begum, Mohammad Arif, Tehmina Parveen, Naziya Noman, Mohd. Aadil Khan, Tabasum Rouf

Abstract

Background: Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder causing significant daytime impairment and reduced quality of life. Conventional pharmacotherapies often present risks of side effects, tolerance, and dependence, highlighting the need for complementary options. In Unani medicine, Lakhlakha (olfaction therapy) is utilized to manage sleep disturbances by counteracting morbid dryness in the brain using specialized emollient and sedative formulations. Case Presentation: A 32- year-old male with a history of stable generalized anxiety disorder presented with a seven-month history of chronic insomnia. Primary symptoms included severe sleep initiation difficulty, with sleep latency exceeding 1.5 hours, and frequent nighttime awakenings. Baseline evaluations confirmed moderately severe clinical insomnia associated with a morbid dry temperament, without underlying secondary organic pathologies or sleep-related breathing disorders. Intervention: The patient underwent daily Lakhlakha (olfaction therapy) for 21 days. The formulation consisted of Lactuca sativa and Coriandrum sativum leaf juices, and Nymphaea alba oil. The preparation was inhaled nasally for 10 to 15 minutes, 30 minutes before bedtime. Concomitant stable escitalopram therapy and standard sleep hygiene practices were strictly maintained. Results: Following the intervention, subjective sleep quality, latency, and daytime functioning improved remarkably, with full resolution of daytime fatigue. Objective assessments demonstrated significant reductions in both the Insomnia Severity Index and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scores, indicating a shift to sub-threshold insomnia and decreased anxiety. The therapy was well-tolerated, and no adverse events, complications, nasal irritation, or morning grogginess occurred during the treatment course. Conclusion: Lakhlakha therapy showed promising clinical improvement and excellent tolerability for managing chronic insomnia in this single patient. While these findings suggest a potential non-pharmacological alternative, larger controlled clinical studies are required to confirm therapeutic efficacy and establish standardized delivery protocols.

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