Head is the command centre of the body. Ayurveda holds it to be host of intellect. The spark of life Aatma resides in brain and heart as per vedic philosophy. The head is the governing organ of dhi, dhriti and smriti i.e. perception, retention and memory. It is the office of mind. Location for vital Marma and specific area of Tratak capable of connecting to divinity and gaining of unlimited powers. In medical world seat of neurology and mental faculties find their place here. In the process of Shirodhara Head is the organ to offer treatment for cure of certain diseases and also to find relaxation and aid mental acumen.
Shirodhara: A Journey of Healing
Location and Setup
The process of shiro dhara is offered at a serene location where patient is comfortable with clean surroundings. The shirodhara table holds the neck and body in a very comfortable posture. The stand and shirodhara pot is adjusted at a place where it can pour the contents on fore head in occilatory motion. The shirodhara pot is preffered to be made of copper metal. material decided is needed to complete the process. The selection of material depends on disease, doshic state, weather conditions, strength of the patient etc.
The Healing Process
Patient is made to lie on the table comfortably , neck is supported nicely , eyes are properly covered. Fore head and head massage is offered for short duration, thereafter the pot is filled will slightly warm mateerial, oil, decoction or other medicated potions. This is made to fall on fore head in a continous stream. The oil is allowed to spill all around and collected in a pot kept beneath the table. This collected material is reheated to make it slightly warm and made to refill the pot to ensure continous free flow.
The process is conbtinued for 30 to 45 minutes. Then the oil is allowed to drain and residual oil is wiped. Fore head and head massage is offered for short duration. Patient is advised to have rest for about an hour allowing the material proper absorption. Thereafter bathy with luke warm water and cleaning of the head with herbal shampoo is advised. This process is offered for minimum 7 and maximum 28 days. For better resullts this procedure is offered in early morning or evening.
This is the procedure that can be offered even to healthy persons for betterment of relaxation and for improving cognitive powers. In medical world every act has indications contraindication , do’s and don’t same is with shirodhara. Any person having nausesa,vomiting, fever, fatigue or excessive sweating conditions, allergic to the material to be used and in the last stage of pregnancy.
This procedure ensure maintenace of proper healthy link of mind body and soul.
Benefits of Shirodhara
Shirodhara’s benefits are multifold, addressing various aspects of well-being:
- Exfoliation: It helps exfoliate dead skin cells.
- Lymphatic Flow: It aids in transporting lymphatic fluid.
- Stress Relief: Shirodhara is effective in relieving stress.
- Muscle Tension: It eradicates muscular tension.
- Balancing Doshas: Shirodhara can help balance doshic states.
- Detoxification: It supports the body’s detoxification process.
- Nervous System Enhancement: Shirodhara enhances the central nervous system’s function.
- Mental Health: It is known to treat anxiety, depression, and mental fatigue.
Types of Shirodhara
- Depending upon liquid used to be poured on forehead shirodahra is classified in 5 types-
- Tail dhara- tail means oil and in tail dhara, Luke warm oil is poured in a rhytimic flow on the forehead. oil selection is important and many a times customized oil for specific person by using certain herbs and materials suited for particular person and particular disease is decided to be poured.
- Ksheer Dhara – Milk infused with certain herbs according to person’s prakriti (natural constitution) and vikriti (disease) is gently poured. ksheer dhara is very nurishing to brain. It helps regulating vata and pitta .
- Takra dhara – takra or buttermilk is used when infused with herbs for desired results. it is very good for hair (greying of the hair and for hair fall as well).
- Kwath dhara – kwath dhara or decotion dhara is used as per qualites of hebrs. By boiling indicated herbs in water and reducing it to half the decoction is prepared and used for shirodhara.
- Jal dhara- In ayurveda even water is medicine if properly used. water and coconut water is mainly used in jala dhara. where body is making excessive heat jala dhara is very useful.
The Science Behind Shirodhara
The medicated oils or decoction of other herbs when poured on the fore head and scalp produces a soothing and calming feeling on the muscles of the head. This passes through the superficial and peripheral nerves of the forehead to the brain. It is believed to act on the hypothalamus, and pituitary gland .It treats insomnia by inducing sleep. Shirodhara also stimulates the various marma around the head and improves blood circulation. The warm herbal oils used for this process cause vasodilatation and thus improves the blood circulation of the brain.
The massage brings down the elevated serotonin levels, thus stabilizes mood, feeling of well-being, and imparts happiness. Shirodhara also reduces the level of adrenaline and noradrenaline thereby relaxing the mind.
In Yoga the location of tratak ; the third eye is known as ‘Agnya Chakra’.Concentrating on the Agnya chakra in meditation leads to psychosomatic balancing. As the oil drips on the agnya chakra, it brings a meditation-like effect, the stillness of mind. The oil infiltrates into the nervous system after dousing the forehead and scalp.
The third eye is a point of spiritual awakening, Hindu scriptures refer it to be the ‘Sixth Chakra’ which is the home of intuition. Shirodhara is one such practice, where the healer helps open third eye. There is flow of ‘life force’. When this force flows through the energy channels, known as ‘srotas’, they help in removing the blockages of the mind. Through the dropping of the warm oils, patients receive immense mental clarity which helps them remove the past unresolved emotional trauma.
The hyper brain waves; beta waves are transformed into relaxed-alpha waves. Due to this transition, the muscles relax, blood vessels dilate and this slows down the heart rate. The treatment is important in the case of arrhythmia and hypertension.
Balancing Vata Dosha
Combination of the air and space elements make Vaat dosh. Excessive accumulation of vaat dosha within the body leads to chaotic thoughts, physical restlessness, forgetfulness and scattered attention. According to Ayurveda, Shirodhara is the ultimate remedy of pacifying the abnormal Vata dosha.
Enhanced with Medhya Rasayana Herbs
The use of Medhya Rasayana herbs in the oils used in this therapy have potent brain-boosting properties. Enriched with powerful antioxidants they effectively improve the concentration, memory, calmness, and alertness .
Conclusion
In conclusion, Shirodhara is a powerful practice that targets the head for holistic well-being. Its benefits encompass physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions, making it a valuable tool for relaxation and healing.