Healthytalk8 What Is Shirodhara Therapy?
Contents
In this pouring lukewarm oil slowly over your forehead for a certain amount of time through a small hole in the bottom of a bowl, which travels through the head to the hair, this process is called Shirodhara therapy.
It is made up of two Sanskrit words, where ‘Shiro’ means head and ‘Dhara’ means liquid or flow.
Shirodhara therapy is an ayurvedic remedy for decreasing physical and mental fatigue including:
NOTE: It is also a type of Bahya Snehana (external oleation therapy) as mentioned in Ayurveda.
It is one of the most relaxing treatments of all Basti, Abhyangam, and Pizhichil treatments, known for rebalancing the three doshas within the body.
Types of Shirodhara Therapy
Shirodhara is also known as Shiro Sheka, Sirothara, Parisheka, Shiro Parisheka, Dhara, and Shirashek, similarly, there are five types of it.
- Taila Dhara: One type of oil or a mixture of several Ayurvedic oils is used in this type of massage.
- Kashaya Dhara: In this type, oil and herbs are selected based on the health condition of the person.
- Takra Dhara: Buttermilk-containing herbs are used in this type of therapy.
- Ksheerdhara: In this, type of milk, containing herbs like sandalwood, vetiver roots, or camphor is used and the milk is kept at room temperature during the therapy.
- Jala Dhara: This method is commonly used in the case of pitta imbalance. mostly coconut water is used in this.
Benefits of Shirodhara Therapy
A study published by Japanese researchers reported a significant reduction in plasma levels of noradrenaline in Shirodhara therapy (1).
Shirodhara significantly may reduce the level of anxiety, it may also use to prevent the decompensation of mood and anxiety disorders (2).
Research also suggests its other benefits. which include:
- Boost mood
- Treat premature greying of hair or hair fall
- Reduce stress, and anxiety level
- Improve blood circulation
- Promote sleep quality
- Manage insomnia (3)
Why Is Shirodhara Oil Put on the Forehead?
The oil falls into our forehead because this is the only part of our body that has million numerous sensitivities called brain/
That is responsible for
- Anger
- emotion
- touch
- skills
- vision
- breathing
- temperature
- hunger
- multiple thoughts
- memory, and every process that regulates our body.
The center of the forehead is also called the ‘third eye.
When oil falls into the forehead the soothing sensation is produced on the head, whose effect travels through the nerves to the brain.
Focussing on the third eye during meditation with a closed eye leads to a calm mind, and helps in managing stress.
And if meditation is done properly with this therapy, then its effect becomes double.
This whole process stabilizes and calms the body and mind. the way a person feels right after mindful meditation.
Learn – Benefits of Meditation
Safety, And Tips
It is considered quite safe, its risks can then be seen when the oil is overheated or gets in the eyes, but with an experienced therapist, there are not many such problems.
The thing to remember here is that if your skin is more sensitive or you are allergic to oil then you can be irritated by it.
If you have any cuts or open wounds on your face, it’s best to hold off on trying Shirodhara until they heal.
Seen from the safety point of view, Shirodhara therapy should not be done in the following situations. which include:
- Women avoid during the last stage of pregnancy
- People who are allergic to herbal oil
- If someone suffers from brain tumours, face cuts, and neck injury, then they should avoid this.
- Someone can also see symptoms like vomiting, fever, nausea, fatigue, or excessive sweating conditions.
Tips To Do It?
- Therapy should be done morning or in the evening for better results.
- If you are allergic to any oil, then first ask them, which oil are they going to use on you.
- This session can be from 30 to 60 minutes, so before that do all your personal work like going to the washroom.
- Avoid consuming caffeinated products for a few days as it can negate the benefits.
- Use medicated shampoos to remove the oil from the hair.
How To Perform Shirodhara At Home
- To do this at home, you will need a plastic or any metal vessel, which should have a small hole in the bottom (so that the liquid can come out quite slowly and comfortably).
- Now tie or hang the pot at a limited height (15-20 cm) from your forehead (according to your lying on the back).
- You put lukewarm oil or another liquid such as coconut oil and water in the pot and lie down under it.
- Now your homemade Shirodhara therapy is ready for use.
NOTE: Make sure the oil should be as much as room temperature and should fall comfortably centre of the forehead.
Apart from this, most important let the body completely relax by emptying the mind.
Try other methods
Take a medicated cloth known as ‘Shiro Pichu’ in Ayurveda, soak it in lukewarm oil, apply it on your forehead, and lie down.
Now press firmly on the centre of the forehead (also called the third eye) and do relax for 15-20 minutes.
Remember during this body and mind should be calm.
Cost of Shirodhara Therapy
Its cost may vary from state to state, and getting it done from a local or professional centre can also fluctuate in its cost.
If you get it done by a professional then you have to make an appointment for that first.
In India, Shirodhara treatment can cost anything between Rs 1200 to 6000 and according to its type also its cost fluctuates.
Typically Shirodhara therapy lasts 30 to 60 minutes and is followed for 2 to 28 days, and according to the health condition of the person, its days and minutes are fixed.
BOTTOM LINE
Shirodhara therapy or treatment is an ayurvedic remedy for decreasing physical and mental fatigue.
It is considered quite safe, its risks can then be seen, when the oil is overheated or gets in the eyes.
Shirodhara significantly may reduce the level of anxiety, it may also use to prevent the decompensation of mood and anxiety disorders.
