Shirodhara - Indian Medical Tourism - indiatreats - Ayurveda therapies

Ancient ayurvedic system of medicines provides an amazing and unique body therapy known as shirodhara. Shirodhara has great impact in relaxing the nervous system of the patient. This treatment immediately calms and relaxes the mind and nerves and therefore it has a cleansing effect.

No procedure in allopathic medicine can boast of such wonderful relaxing effect on the nervous system. Only meditation system practiced in yoga can be considered as giving a similar relaxing effect to mind and nerves.

Who are the beneficiaries?

Shirodhara is a great ayurvedic procedure and is intended to relieve the patient from symptoms of stress, anxiety, hypertension, fatigue, etc. It helps the patient to get relief from headache, worry, depression etc. It gives pleasure, relaxation and regulates the mood of the patient of the following categories.

Traumatic stress disorder:  Traumatic stress disorder is a health condition in which an event either experienced or witnessed by the patient is causing mental strain on the patient after its occurrence or experience. The symptoms include flashbacks,  severe anxiety, nightmares etc. According to Alakananda Ma who is the Ayurvedic Professor at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and Medical College, London University, the shirodhara helps the patient in reducing the excess of vata dosha found in a patient.

Disorder connected with the sleep of shift workers and insomniac patients: Shirodhara is well known for its ability to reduce sleep problems. This treatment alone and coupled with herbal support have been found to be extremely useful in this regard. Shirodhara with milk has been found to be extremely useful for insomnia. Pineal gland which is the producer of melatonin is the controller is sleep-wake cycle. It also helps in calming the mind and keeping it relaxed. If the cause of insomnia is working in night shifts which keep the sleep cycle out of the natural sync and the rhythm of the sun, shirodhara can be useful in removing the fatigue and restoring and re-establishing harmony and energy in the constitution.

Jet lag: For a person who frequently flies, his sleep rhythm will be out of sync and consequently will suffer from jet lag. In such cases, shirodhara can help in removing the piled up fatigue and resetting the patient’s waking and sleeping cycles as well. Such patients are advised to undergo shirodhara therapy and travel with portable shirodhara unit and apply vata oil or bhringaraj oil to the head before sleeping.

Hypertension: Shirodhara has been found to be extremely useful in lowering the hypertension is patients. It is an extremely good treatment for a normal person who intends to maintain good health and enhance his immunity, well being and calmness. It relieves fatigue, relaxes and reinvigorates the mind and the body completely. It balances one’s energy level, and gives clarity and perception

Shirodhara increases immunity by relieving stress and worry, and balancing the ayurveda mind-body types or doshas so that your constitution remains strong. It produces ageless and youthful countenance and constitution resulting in the rejuvenation of the face and consequent softening of worry lines.

For whom it is not suitable

Though shirodhara is a wellness treatment for all ages, some people are not suitable for this procedure Details of such people and the circumstances which make them unsuitable are discussed below. Pregnant women in their third trimester should not be subjected to shirodhara. Similarly people with rash or sunburn on their scalp or forehead are also not suitable for shirodhara. Patients with brain tumor, recent neck injury, cuts or abrasions on the head or patients with acute fever, nausea, vomiting exhaustion, spontaneous swelling etc are also not recommended for shirodhara.

Shirodhara explained

In Ayurvedic therapy named shirodhara warm oil is poured in continuous stream over the anjan marma which  is situated in the  forehead. This is an area where nerves are concentrated.  The soft pressure of continuous pouring of oil onto forehead produces a vibration. The oil slowly saturates the forehead and scalp area and it sinks down to the nervous system.

The gentle pressure of oil combined with the soothing warmth brings the body and mind to a state of deep relaxation and state of peacefulness similar to that obtained during meditation. Traditionally shirodhara is done as part of Panchakarma. It is also done as a stand along therapy.

How it works?

As per Ayurveda shirodhara is good for vata and pitha doshas. Vats dosha exhibits a state of insecurity or fear when it is unbalanced. Similarly, unbalanced Pitha dosha exhibits anger or irritability or frustration. The qualities of the liquid used during shirodhara counter the imbalances in vata and pitha doshas. The application of shirodhara oil through the forehead pacifies and nourishes the doshas.

According to Ayurveda, stress is induced as a result of the imbalance of prana vayu, tarpaka kapha and sadaka pitha. Shirodhara re establishes the functional integrity between these subtypes of doshas alleviating stress.

The oil flowing over the forehead creates a predetermined pressure and vibration over the anjan marma. The hollow sinus amplifies the vibrations and transmits it inward through the cerebrospinal fluid. These vibrations and the little heat associated with the oil activates the functions of thalamus and forebrain and brings catecholamine and serotonin to the normal level thereby inducing sleep in the  person undergoing shirodhara.

How to make maximum benefit out of shirodhara?

For making maximum benefit out of shirodhara make sure that you get this procedure done by a properly trained and experienced doctor/therapist. Try to concentrate maximum on the three points mentioned below during the procedure. 

1.Observe silence: There should be  no interruptions during shirodhara and therefore it will be better if the patient does not listen to any music or audio programs during this period. Any noise will disrupt the experience of disengaging from outside stimuli and experiencing mental rest.

2. Be Mindful Of The Room’s Temperature. See that the room’s temperature is maintained at the optimum level. Even during cooler seasons the room under which shirodhara is carried out should be maintained at a toasty warm climate. Keep a space heater and maintain the room at a warm temperature conducive to the procedure being carried out. The head gets wet during the treatment. It is important that the client should not get cold in between.

Even during warmer climate additional blankets have to be kept as a protection for those  who are susceptible to cold or cough. Air conditioned rooms or air cooled rooms will be more suitable for shirodhara patients.

3.Choosing proper oil. A qualified Ayurvedic doctor will be the correct person to choose proper oil matching to the requirements of the patient concerned. Banyan Botanical oil is recommendable for all constitutions as this a special tri-doshic blend. Sesame and sunflower oils are also used commonly. Sesame oil has got heating qualities and is good for constitutions with vata dosha. Sunflower oil is good for cooling and is used for patients with pitha dosha. Blend of these two oils are also suggested by doctors depending upon the individual problems and constitutions.

Preparing for appointment

When you are planning for shirodhara treatment be ready for additional rest after the treatment. Avoid large crowds and stimulation of your mind as shirodhara cleanses the mind and senses. Spend the reminder of the day peacefully giving rest for your mind. It is better to eat little as shirodhara is likely to have an effect on the digestive system. So don’t eat full stomach. Much oil will be spreading on to the head and other parts of the body. Therefore,  wear an old shirt and be ready to get it soaked with oil. The patient is advised to leave the oil in his head unattended for at least a few hours.

What to do after shirodhara?

If you have a lot of hair and if more oil is left there, do a proper shampoo wash to clear the oil in your head. Don’t use any caffeine products for a few days as it will create disharmony in the body and all the doshas will be adversely affected. Using Kitchari, a delicious stew will be helpful in the cleansing and maintaining the balance in the doshas.