Introduction
Takradhara is a special therapy in which medicated buttermilk is poured in a continuous stream over the forehead, in specified manner. Takra means buttermilk and dhara is a stream. Milk for the preparation of buttermilk may be medicated with other ayurvedic medicines in powder form according to the disease. Usually, takradhara is done for a period of 3 ,7 or 14 days. Usually the procedure is done for 45 minutes.
Benefits
It is indicated in Psychological problems, anxiety disorders, psoriasis, psycho somatic disorders, insomnia, tension head-ache, greying of hair etc.
Preparation Of Medicine:
Takra: 1.5 litres of milk diluted with 4 times water is boiled with 100g of skinned and crushed Musta( an ayurvedic drug)tied in a muslin bag, and is reduced to the original quantity of milk. The bag of medicament is taken out and squeezed well. When cooled, this prepared milk is fermented by the addition of a little sour buttermilk over night. Next morning the fermented medicated curd is churned by adding 1.5 Lit of decoction of Amalaki( Indian gooseberry). The butter is removed completely and this mixture is used for procedure after filtering. b) Amalaki kwatha: 200g of dried Amalaki fruit boiled with 8 litres of water and reduced to 2 litres. 1.5 litres of this decoction used to mix with buttermilk & 500ml is used to wash the head after the procedure.
Procedure
The patient should lie down in supine position on the table. A small pillow should be placed under the neck. The dhara pot should be kept in such a way so as to allow steady flow of the liquid, poured into it, over the forehead of the patient. The tip of cloth from which buttermilk is poured should be 4-5 cm above the forehead of the patient and total wick length should be 8-10cm. The takra is to be recollected and poured again into the vessel. The vessel should always be kept oscillating so that the takra will fall into the patient’s entire forehead without interruption. In short all the procedures are same, as sirodhara, but takra should not be heated or reused .
After the procedure, the head is washed with decoction. Then head should be wiped with towel and rasnadi powder is applied in thr bregma region of head.. Patient is advised to take rest for a period same as the period of the procedure, then to take bath. Patient should not expose to wind, dust, sunlight and rain. He should take proper sleep.
Season Time
Usually, the treatment is done in the morning hours, between 7-10 am. If situation demands, it can be done between 4-6 pm. It is contraindicated in winter season .
Duration
Usually, Thakradhara is done for a period of 3, 7 to 14 days.. Usually the procedure is done for 45 minutes.
Complications And Management
Shivering is observed in some patients due to excess cold. In such cases the procedure is stopped immediately and the patient is managed with heating.
