Shirodhara Treatment
Shirodhara is a traditional and a well-established ayurvedic procedure that involves gently pouring of luke warm medicated oils or other liquids like coconut water, buttermilk, milk, etc. over the forehead of a person resting quietly on a comfortable bed. It induces a relaxed state of awareness that results in a dynamic psycho-somatic balance, relieves stress and enhances the functioning of the central nervous system. A wholesome feeling of wellness, mental clarity, and comprehension is experienced after the process. The name comes from the Sanskrit words Shiro (head) and dhara (steady flow). This therapy is also a part of the ancient panchakarma treatment.
In the traditional Shirodhara process, a copper vessel (kumbha) with a standard size hole at the bottom is used. it is filled up with oil or any other therapeutic liquid at ambient temperature. The rate of dripping of oil is dependent on the volume of oil and the size of the aperture. As a consequence, there is substantial variability in the procedure. The modified procedure is as follows:
The patient, resting in bed, is given a soft, full-body massage for 15 min with 50 ml of sesame oil by an expert. then, the oil is gently wiped off from the body. A continuous dripping of Shirodhara oil is then initiated and maintained for approx 45 min; the locus of the drip is the recommended spot, between the eyebrows, on the forehead. The rate of oil dripping is assured. The temperature of Shirodhara oil is kept at 40 ± 1.5°C with thermostatic control. The eyes are covered with a soft and sterile cloth or gauge pieces. The patient must stay supine throughout the process. The patients were not restrained from sleeping. But generally, they reported that they felt a relaxed state of alert awareness and occasionally mild drowsiness. The stress and mood indicators are assessed carefully with the use of the rating scales, immediately after Shirodhara and 3 days later
Shirodhara is a well-established upakarma procedure for centuries. It is widely practiced in India and Panchakarma centers globally. Besides its therapeutic usage and its shamana karma, its general relaxing and calming effects are worth exploring with modern tools. However, there have been a few studies of Shirodhara in which volunteers realized markers of psychosomatic relaxation
Shirodhara induces a deeply relaxed physical and psychological state; these effects are mediated by the brain wave coherence, alfa waves, and downregulation of the sympathetic outflow. The center of the forehead, which is according to Indian mythology related to the third eye, is connected atavistically to the pineal gland. This spot is known as Agnya Chakra in the yoga and ayurvedic tradition. Focusing on agnya chakra with closed eyes during meditation leads to psychosomatic harmony and mental wellness. As the oil drips on the agnya chakra, it is proposed that the meditation-like effect is a consequence of stillness of mind leading to an adaptive response to the basal stress. It is used to treat a variety of conditions including eye diseases, sinusitis, and memory loss. This is one of the most divine therapies which helps in awakening your body’s intuitive knowledge. it is proven to be extremely beneficial for people suffering from Vata and Pitta imbalance
other conditions in which shirodhara is helpful are:-
Helps relieve symptoms of anxiety
Fatigue and Hypertension
Reduces tension, Fear, Headache and depression
Fills you with positive energy
full Body relaxation
Hair fall and Dry scalp
Week memory
Nervousness
Week eye sight
migraine
Concentraion etc.