"Shirodhara Treatment in India: Ayurvedic Therapy for Wellness"
Shirodhara is a classic Ayurvedic therapy or the practice of slowly and steadily dripping medicated oil or medicated decoctions on the forehead. The therapy induces a relaxed state of awareness that results in a psychosomatic balance. Intense feelings of wellness, mental lucidity, and comprehension are experienced in the Shirodhara treatment.
Shirodhara therapy induces a relaxed state in the mind as well as the body; these effects are arbitrated by the brain wave coherence, alpha waves, and downregulation of the sympathetic outflow. The center of the forehead, also known as the third eye, is connected usually to the pineal gland.
Focusing on the third eye with closed eyes during meditation leads to psychosomatic harmony. And similarly, when the oil drips on the forehead, the meditation-like effect is a consequence of stillness of the mind leading to an adaptive response to the basal stress.
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What is Shirodhara?
In Sanskrit ‘shiras’ means head and ‘dhara’ means continuous flow.
Shirodhara consists of a continuous, rhythmic flow of warm herbalised oil poured onto your forehead from a hanging pot. The warm gentle pressure and precise flow of oil calms and balances your mind and nervous system, so you experience a deep state of relaxation.
The external application of warm herbalised oil plays a major role in Ayurvedic treatment. Shirodhara is one of the various methods in Ayurveda that involve the application of oil to the head for a fixed duration of time.
The herbalised oil used will be skillfully selected according to your condition. The correct choice of oil is vital in the effectiveness of a traditional Shirodhara. An alternative liquid may also be used such as herbal infused milk or buttermilk, or decoctions. Ayurvedic herbal medicine and dietary restrictions may also be prescribed to support the benefits of the Shirodhara treatment.
Recommended for:
- Headaches like cluster headaches, migraines, tension headaches
- Burning sensation in the head & other consequences of head injuries
- Paralysis & Alzheimer’s disease (Loss of memory)
- Inflammatory diseases of Pitta origin
- Certain disorders of the ears and eyes
- Skin diseases and allergies
- Diabetic neuropathy & for proper neuro-muscular coordination
- To delay age effect
- The head region dryness & itching of the scalp
- Low level of vitality or ojas
- Heart disease
- Cracked lips, damages and thin hair
- To control vitiated Vata dosha
- Degenerative diseases of Vata origin.
Benefits
There are many benefits of Shirodhara treatments. These categorize into five major headings:
· To nullify the impact of Stress:
Here shirodhara helps in reducing high levels of mental stress. It promotes calmness and facilitates relaxation. Stress hormones reduce as our body gets in a relaxation state. The nervous system conserves energy, slows heart rate, and relaxes muscles.· Reduces Anxiety:
In Shirodhara treatment, the gentle, repetitive stimulation to the center of the forehead reduces the anxiety. The powerful Ayurvedic energy point activates when warm oil streams onto the center of the forehead.· Awakening of Intuition:
The point between the eyebrows is the center for awakening the intuition, and in many spiritual traditions, believe it as the “third eye.” Therefore Hindus call it the home of intuition which is the sixth chakra.· Improves Sleep Quality:
Physical and emotional health are disturbed when sleep quality is continuously compromised. Individuals with chronic insomnia never have a relaxed brain. Therefore Shirodhara not only improves sleep quality but increases health.· Pacifies Vata Dosha:
Vata dosha is a combination of air and space elements. Thus the treatment of Shirodhara is the most effective means of pacifying excessive Vata in Ayurvedic circles.
Three types of Shirodhara
Sneha Dhara: It uses tel or ghee, which is herbal in nature.
Ksheer Dhara: It uses milk infused with herbs.
Takra Dhara: It uses buttermilk infused with suitable herbs.
Contraindications of Shirodhara
Shirodhara is appropriate for all dosha, but there are some contraindications:
- Pregnancy: It should not be given to women in their third trimester of pregnancy. It is uncomfortable and painful for pregnant women to lie on the back for 40-60 minutes at a time. The treatment known as Dhara is contraindicated in pregnancy where warm oil is poured all over the body
- Head problems: Shirodhara should not be given to those with a rash or sunburn on the forehead or scalp. Brain tumour, recent neck injury, abrasions or cuts on the head also make this treatment difficult.
- Fever or chills causing acute illness: Fever of recent origin known as Amma stage. It also include nausea, vomiting, severe weakness, exhaustion, dizziness & fainting
- Excess Kapha & Excess Ama: This should be balanced and maintained in the body with morbid obesity and the problem of indigestion.
- Ascites: It is the accumulation of fluid cause swelling of the abdominal region. It is most often related to liver disease.
- Edema: Due to excess fluid trapped in the body’s tissues puffiness is caused known as edema.
- Septicemia: The blood poisoning. It usually occurs when a bacterial infection enters the bloodstream from elsewhere in the body, such as the lungs or skin.
- Dehydration or thirst: This can be caused as after effect of vomiting or diarrhoea.
Our Treatment Philosophy
Every person is unique, hence treatment for the person’s disease must be unique too. Sandhya Medicity doctors take
the ayurveda approach, which includes:
Personalized Treatment and Medicines
Completely personalized authentic Ayurvedic medicines based on thorough diagnosis of the root-cause
End-To-End Relief Tracking
Throughout your treatment journey, a team of health coaches stay connected with you to track your relief progress and help with your health queries.
Diet & Lifestyle Plans Customized Just for You
Customized remedy including diet, therapy and lifestyle planners designed by your doctor to compliment the medicines for holistic treatment of the root-cause