An ancient Indian tradition may hold a surprising key to better sleep. A small randomized controlled trial, published in ERJ Open Research, found that regularly blowing into a conch shell — known as shankh blowing — significantly reduced symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in people with moderate cases.
OSA is a common sleep disorder where airway blockages cause repeated breathing pauses during the night. It’s linked to loud snoring, daytime fatigue, and increased risks of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Standard treatment involves a CPAP machine, but many patients find it uncomfortable or difficult to use consistently.
Led by Dr. Krishna K. Sharma of the Eternal Heart Care Centre in Jaipur, India, the study involved 30 participants aged 19–65. Sixteen practiced shankh blowing for at least 15 minutes a day, five days a week, over six months. The rest performed a deep breathing exercise.
The results were striking: the conch blowers experienced 34% less daytime sleepiness, improved sleep quality, and four to five fewer breathing interruptions per hour. Overnight oxygen levels were also higher.
Dr. Sharma explains that shankh blowing combines deep inhalation with a powerful, sustained exhalation through pursed lips, creating strong vibrations and resistance. This likely strengthens the throat and soft palate muscles, areas prone to collapse in OSA. The spiral shape of the conch may also produce unique acoustic and mechanical effects that further tone airway muscles.
While the study was small, the findings suggest shankh blowing could offer a low-cost, non-invasive therapy for patients who can’t tolerate or afford CPAP. Larger, multi-center trials are planned to confirm its benefits and compare it directly with standard treatments.
For now, this centuries-old practice may be blowing fresh air into the search for more accessible sleep apnea solutions.
