Introduction
Sirodhara is a classical and a well-established ayurvedic procedure wherein suitable medicated oil is poured slowly and steadily on the forehead to and fro in an oscillating motion and then allowing to flow over the scalp from a specific height. Shirodhara comes from the two Sanskrit words “shiro” (head) and “dhara” (flow). It’s often combined with a body, scalp, or head massage.
Benefits
Shirodhara is said to have relaxing, soothing, and calming effects on the body and mind that results in a dynamic psycho-somatic balance. A standardized Shirodhara leads to a state of alert calmness similar to the relaxation response observed in meditation. The clinical benefits observed with Shirodhara in anxiety, neurosis, hypertension, and stress aggravation due to chronic degenerative diseases could be mediated through these adaptive physiological effects.
Indication
Sirodhara is advisable in conditions like Anxiety, neurosis, Insomnia, Neurological, psychological and psychosomatic disorders, less concentration and memory, migraine, improve skin health, hair growth.
Commonly Practised Medicine
Ksheerabala tallam, Dhanwantaram tailam, etc.
Infrastructure facilities:-
A full fledged Panchakarma Therapy Room
Man Power:
A qualified and experienced therapist and an assistant
Materials Required:-
Sirodhara Device, Varti( wick), Suitable oil-1.5 litres, Gauze, Cotton ear plugs -2, Soft pillow with cloth-1, Vessels-3, Nadi sweda device -1, Oil for talam- 10 ml, Rasnadi choorna-5 gm, Soft towels-2, dhara patra -1.
Specifications of Dhara patra( vessel) and Varti( wick) :
Dharapatra should be 5-6 inch in depth and with a wide-open mouth, round at the bottom with the capacity of two litres. There should be a hole at the centre with size of small finger. There should be three holes at equal distances along the ridge of the vessel to tie there and arrange to support dharapatra on the dhara stand.
Dharavarti (a wick of loose cotton threads) with the face end about 4 inches coming out of the central hole of Dhara vessel. The threads of the wick should be packed as not to slip out of the hole, but loose enough to permit continuous and regular flow of medicated oil.
Procedure
Massage should be done over the face, neck, shoulder, and chest . Gauze is tied around the head above the eyebrows of the patient, After closing the eyes cotton should be kept over the eyelids and it should be tied with proper bandage. Thalam should be kept over the head of the patient .. Earplug should be applied.
Patient should lie in supine position on the table with a pillow under the neck and Sirodhara device should be placed near his head. Its height should be fixed in such a way that oil should fall from a height of 4 angula (1.5 inches)with continuous stream of little finger thickness. Oil should be heated up to 38-40°C and poured in to the dharapatra ( vessel). A continuous stream of oil should be allowed to fall on the entire forehead while oscillation of the vessel. The oil has to be recollected and poured back in to the dharapatra or vessel.
Complications
If the procedure is done for a long period, person may become anemic and reactions from nose, mouth and anus may occur. If he is not observing wholesome diet and regimen properly, skin irritation, fever, swelling, unconsciousness may also develop.
Shirodhara is pretty safe. The main risks involve the liquid being too hot or getting into your eyes, which shouldn’t be an issue with an experienced practitioner.
