Shirodhara: Potential Advantages, Process, Aspect Results and Extra

Ayurveda, which can be known as the sister science of yoga, is just not solely about consuming the wholesome and proper meals to pacify your doshas. The Ayurveda is a dictionary of assorted herbs and vegetation that may treatment virtually all potential illnesses with a holistic strategy.

One such ayurvedic therapy is the Panchakarma, a remedy that consists of 5 procedures. 

Panchakarma remedy aids in eradicating toxins from the physique and establishing a steadiness in doshas thus strengthening the immune system. It’s achieved in three phases.

• Purvakarma – Motion taken forward of primary remedy
• Pradhanakarma – Precise therapy
• Paschatkarma – Motion taken after primary therapy

Purvakarma consists of various ayurvedic therapeutic massage therapies specializing in the precise illness or components of the physique. Every of those massages comes with a spread of bodily and psychological advantages. They’re principally achieved to stimulate and chill out the muscle tissues and joints within the physique in order that the herbs and oils can work deeply to eradicate the illness.

Amongst these massages, Shirodhara is likely one of the most wanted and generally most popular remedy. You need to have seen in lots of Ayurveda therapy movies of individuals mendacity on a picket desk and a stream of oil falling on their brow from a steel or an earthen vessel. That is basically what Shirodhara is. 

What’s Shirodhara?

The phrase Shirodhara is made up of two Sanskrit phrases – shiro which means head and dhara which means circulation.

Shirodhara is an Ayurvedic remedy during which medicinal liquid – similar to oils, milk, ghee, buttermilk – is slowly poured in a stream on the brow of the individual mendacity over a desk.

This can be a head therapeutic massage achieved earlier than precise ayurvedic therapy begins. It comes within the class of Bahya Snehana (exterior oiling on the physique) in Panchakarma remedy. After the process is full, it’s normally adopted by a head, face, or complete physique therapeutic massage often called Abhyanga.

Shirodhara therapeutic massage targets the brow and sense organs, the world the place nerves are extremely concentrated. It helps deal with psychosomatic illnesses like stress, melancholy and psychological fatigue.

The stress of pouring liquid onto the brow creates a vibration that reprogrammes mind waves. Nonetheless, it’s the medicinal high quality of the liquid that permit it saturate the brow and scalp and penetrates into the nervous system.

Historic ayurvedic textual content Ashtanga Hridaya mentions shirodhara may be very helpful in complications and different head-related illnesses. In lots of Vata associated issues the place sense organs are disturbed Shirodhara therapy is really helpful. This therapy induces a relaxed frame of mind thus regulating the circulation of prana power.

For the reason that head is appearing because the management level of most bodily actions, sense organs, and methods, it’s important to maintain it at its high kind. And shirodhara immediately works on the assorted ranges of psychological well being similar to releasing unfavourable power, stress, anxiousness, worry, and stimulating the nervous system.

Issues to know earlier than going for Shirodhara Therapy

Whereas the shirodhara therapy might look and sound too straightforward, there are a selection of elements you have to look into earlier than you resolve to take this ayurvedic therapy. 

Ayurveda is systematic science that doesn’t encourage you to randomly begin following a apply. Similar to medical science, it has some guidelines and procedures that should be adopted by skilled and authorized ayurvedic practitioners.

Earlier than Shirodhara remedy begins, affected person illness and physique kind will probably be identified. The ayurvedic practitioners will carry out a plethora of exams and examinations, in accordance with ayurvedic parameters and fashionable investigative strategies. The affected person’s prakriti (fundamental structure that contains the three doshas) and vikriti (the impact of exterior surroundings on the three doshas) will probably be decided and documented intimately.

Primarily based on these examinations, it will likely be decided whether or not the illness is treatable via Shirodhara. If the therapy may be carried out, a whole record of medicines, supplies for use, and therapy line-up will probably be defined to the affected person.

In sure circumstances, the affected person could also be requested to shave the pinnacle. Shirodhara yields higher outcomes after hair elimination as a bald head will higher soak up pouring liquid vibration.

Right here additionally comes the half the place the kind of therapies can be determined.

Sorts of Shirodhara Remedy

The kinds are principally selected the liquid that will probably be used in the course of the therapy. There are usually three to 4 kinds of Shirodhara:

1. Taila Shirodhara – Taila means oil. On this, the practitioner will put together a medicated oil utilizing herbs for therapy. The elements are determined primarily based on the prakriti and vikriti of the affected person. Sesame oil, coconut oil, or any natural oils are typically used right here.

2. Ksheera Shirodhara – Ksheera means milk and because the identify suggests, milk combined with herbs is used as a method of medicinal liquid. The practitioner will boil 3 liters of milk, 6 liters of water, and approx. 750gm of medicinal herbs until your entire concoction comes down to three liters. It’s then strained, cooled down, and, earlier than utilizing, is warmed once more.

3. Takra Shirodhara – Takra is buttermilk that’s used with Amalaki (a bitter fruit).

4. Ghrita Shirodhara – Ghrita is ghee, which can be used with medicinal herbs or as it’s. This kind is usually most popular within the case of illnesses attributable to pitta or blood vitiation.

Different liquids which might be additionally used for Shirodhara remedy are – sugarcane juice, honey, sugar water or sugar syrup, fermented natural liquid, coconut water, or plain water.

Sometimes, all liquids are barely warmed up earlier than utilizing nonetheless it should even be depending on the dosha vitiation you’ve.

You probably have a Vata dysfunction or predominance then the liquid will probably be heat and sesame oil will probably be used.

You probably have pitta dysfunction then the liquid will probably be chilly and infrequently ghee is used.

Who can not take shirodhara?

Though Shirodhara is a particularly protected and hygienic apply, there are specific circumstances when it ought to be averted. 

• Pregnant ladies of their third trimester.
• You probably have nausea, vomiting, fever, fatigue, or extreme sweating.
• Within the case of any cuts or wounds in head.
• You probably have a neck harm or another head-related medical concern.

Such individuals mustn’t take the Shirodhara therapy except the ayurvedic and medical practitioner offers a inexperienced gentle.

Shirodhara process

In shirodhara remedy, you lay down on the picket desk after which the ayurvedic practitioner follows a set process.

They could ask you to shave your head in order that it’s straightforward to therapeutic massage and pour oil.

Your BP, pulse, temperature, and different fundamentals can even be checked. In case it’s detected that you’re experiencing chilly, fever, congestion, menstruation, or another kind of ailment, the therapy could also be postponed until you recuperate. That is achieved in order that the therapy doesn’t worsen the issues.

Earlier than coming into the room, you’ll recite some hymns and prayers and carry out different holistic rituals for the success of the therapy.

Let’s see the process of Shirodhara therapy.

• You’ll lie down on a picket desk, additionally known as the dhara desk. The desk usually has an elevated portion to the remaining the pinnacle or a folded towel or pillow might also be used.
• Abhyangam or full-body therapeutic massage with heat natural oils is given to chill out the physique and thoughts and improve circulation. Particular consideration is given to the face, head, and neck.
• A cotton pad is positioned on the eyes as a precautionary measure to keep away from the circulation of oils into the eyes.
• The stand, during which the dhara pot is hung, is positioned close to the pinnacle in a means that the gap between the nozzle or the wick within the vessel and the brow is at the very least 4-6 inches. 
• The pot is full of heat oil or liquid with the stream beginning to fall from the wick or nozzle. An attendant might also therapeutic massage your head for enhanced impact. 
• Right here the function of the attendant is extraordinarily vital as they’ve to maneuver the vessel slowly in order that the draining liquid covers your entire head. 
• There will probably be two attendants within the room, one who manages the motion of the pot. One other attendant is accountable for accumulating the falling liquid into a distinct vessel, which is on the backside of the desk and refilling the dhara pot with it.
• After the process is completed and your entire liquid has gone via one spherical of recycling, your scalp and brow will probably be wiped off with a sterile fabric. 
• You might also be requested to chill out for an hour if there aren’t any additional therapies deliberate.

Key factors to recollect

Shirodhara therapy largely is dependent upon the ayurvedic practitioner and attendant, nonetheless, you also needs to pay attention to sure factors to get probably the most from the therapy.

Don’t carry your cellphone contained in the therapy room. Silence is vital and try to be concentrating on the feeling of the stream falling in your brow. Dialog with the attendants also needs to be averted. 

If you happen to really feel uncomfortable with the room temperature, you need to inform the attendant. It ought to be heat to maintain the physique temperature in steadiness. 

Shirodhara is principally helpful within the therapy of Vata issues. If you’re a Vata individual, ensure you ask for an additional blanket as vata individuals are inclined to get chilly simply.

The temperature of the liquid ought to be heat, which ought to be ensured by the attendants within the room. Earlier than re-filling the dhara pot with the surplus liquid that’s collected in a separate vessel, it’s warmed once more. Thus the temperature is maintained all through the length of the process.

For vata individuals, sesame oil is usually used as it should generate warmth. For pitta individuals, cooling oils similar to sunflower oil or coconut oil, below strict pointers, are utilized. The kind of oil used is of utmost significance as it might drastically have an effect on the steadiness of your doshas.

The peak of the dhara pot will have an effect on the thickness of the stream. The stream shouldn’t be too skinny (the pot is just too far) in order that you don’t really feel the feeling. It also needs to not be too thick (the pot is just too shut) that the liquid is falling in all places.

How does shirodhara works?

The Shirodhara therapy is really helpful to alleviate stress, anxiousness, fatigue, migraine, melancholy, and enhance imaginative and prescient. The widespread consider all these circumstances is the mind. Shirodhara works immediately on the assorted nerves within the head that stimulates the areas of the mind.

The nice and cozy liquid, when poured on the brow, massages the muscle tissues. The sensations are caught by the nerves underlying the muscle tissues that activate the hypothalamus. This can be a small space current within the heart of the mind that’s accountable for producing hormones and regulating physique temperature in addition to the pituitary gland. 

The nice and cozy temperature of the oils helps in rising blood circulation and prompts vital factors across the head. 

The mixed impact of them may be seen within the discount of serotonin ranges, which regulate our moods. It additionally reduces stress hormones, aiding within the rest of the thoughts. 

Thus when your total nervous system is relaxed, all of the organs perform correctly, metabolism is improved and the circulation of prana throughout the power channels can be enhanced.

Advantages of Shirodhara

There isn’t any doubt that massaging the pinnacle with natural oils is confirmed to be extraordinarily efficient. In lots of Indian households, when somebody complains of stress or a headache, they’re usually informed to therapeutic massage their head with soothing oil.

Shirodhara works on the identical idea of calming the thoughts. It prompts the nadis and chakras centres linked to the mind. These power channels assist enhance psychological well being in a extra profound means.

The advantages of taking shirodhara are as follows:

• Shirodhara therapeutic massage reduces stress and anxiousness by activation of the parasympathetic nervous system (relaxation and digest) . The pouring liquid vibration convert the beta mind waves (hyper-alert mind waves) into alpha waves (relaxed alert waves) to consequence a peaceful frame of mind.
• Shirodhara therapy enhances the functioning of the central nervous system. It additionally regulates the manufacturing of serotonin – the happiness hormone.
• It improves high quality of sleep as a result of transitioning of beta waves to the alpha waves.
• Folks affected by hair loss, scalp-related points, or untimely rising of hair can even profit from it as a result of stimulation of hair follicles .
• Vata physique varieties can immensely profit from shirodhara as it’s recognized to steadiness the stressed and fluctuating traits of this dosha.
• It additionally promotes blood circulation in direction of the mind as a result of therapeutic massage given earlier than throughout and after the therapy is full. 
• The improved blood circulation additionally improves pores and skin and delays the getting older course of.
• Because the liquid is poured immediately on the pinnacle, the medicinal qualities of the herbs work in direction of enhancing reminiscence, focus, and focus. 
• Points similar to complications , migraines, hypertension, ADHD may also be curbed with shirodhara therapy.
• The pituitary gland, which is accountable for the manufacturing of hormones, additionally will get stimulated as a result of therapeutic massage and heat oils.
• The direct pouring of heat oils on the eyebrow heart stimulates the Ajna or the third eye chakra. This improves the sense of instinct and consciousness, enhances psychological readability, and promotes tranquility, peace, calmness.

After shirodhara therapy

After the therapy has completed, take into account the next factors to ensure that it to achieve success and have the utmost impression:

• Wash your hair with an ayurvedic shampoo to eliminate the oil.
• Take a heat bathtub after the comfort time. You’ll be able to put medicated herbs or important oils within the water for enhanced rest.
• Quickly after the tub, heat natural teas or natural water ought to be consumed to steadiness the metabolism.
• On the day of the therapy, you have to take gentle, freshly cooked, heat meals. Keep away from consuming oily, spicy, chilly and junk meals as it might hamper the therapy.
• Use of ginger, cumin, pepper, coriander, and so forth ought to be enhanced in your meals and water. 
• Caffeine also needs to be averted in the course of the therapy course of.

Conclusion

The natural oils used on this therapy not solely calm, nourish, and pacify the doshas, however are additionally broadly utilized to remedy quite a lot of well being points. Shirodhara is a terrific, low-risk choice to pursue in case you’re in search of a method to chill out or wish to attempt Ayurvedic therapy.

Continuously Requested Questions