Introduction
Shirodhara is an ayurvedic treatment that has an immense impact on the nervous system. The name is derived from two terms ‘shiro’ meaning head and ‘dhara’ meaning pouring in a stream or flow. It has an immediate calming and relaxing effect on the mind and a cleansing effect on the nerves. Ayurveda is an ancient life science that takes a holistic approach to health with focus on rebalancing the dosha or life forces within the body for wellness and wellbeing.
Shirodhara: What is it and its importance in Ayurveda
Shirodhara therapy plays an important role in Ayurvedic treatments as a way to soothe and calm the body and mind, especially beneficial for people suffering with a vata, pitta imbalance. A pitta imbalance can cause a person to feel frustrated, irritated and angry to a point of being unable to tell the difference between right and wrong. This ayurvedic treatment pacifies vata doshas. The Shirodhara treatment can also help bring relief from migraines, lower blood pressure, reduce stress, increase concentration and mental focus while also treating insomnia.
Benefits of Shirodhara
This treatment pays special attention to the region between the eyebrows, an area commonly referred to as the third eye. In ayurveda, the very top of the head has special importance as it is the location from which the soul is said to enter the body at birth and leave with death. It is knowns as the crown chakra. The forehead is home to some of the main endocrine or master glands such as the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus, the region of the brain in control of these glands.
The benefits of shirodhara are many starting from countering the negative effects of the dosha imbalance. It soothes and pacifies the doshas and has a calming effect on the nervous system while it also improves blood circulation. It is also beneficial towards managing insomnia and improving sleep quality. Shirodhara is also said to lessen anxiety and reduce stress and fatigue. It has a purifying and rejuvenating effect that eliminates toxins and mental exhaustion and any ill effects on the central nervous system.
However, women in their third trimester or those with allergies towards oil or those who suffer from vomiting, nausea, fever along with people with neck injuries or cuts or abrasion on their foreheads should not do the shirodhara treatment.
Types of Shirodhara
There are five main types of shirodhara treatments which are offered based on the requirements of the person seeking the treatment.
Kashaya dhara or herbal decoction – this uses medicated herbs and oils
Thailadhara or medicated oil – this as the name suggests uses medicated oil
Ksheerdhara or milk infused with herbs – this uses medicated milk infused with herbs such as camphor and sandalwood while the temperature of the milk is kept lukewarm
Takra dhara or buttermilk infused with herbs – this uses equal parts butter milk and an herbal decoction
Jala dhara or coconut water – this uses coconut water or water to deal with ailments caused by excessive heat in the body or those caused by a dominant pitta.
The process of Shirodhara
Shirodhara is beneficial for psychological and mental disorders because it reduces stress by inducing relaxation through stimulating the secretion of more serotonin in the brain. When you go for your appointment you will be asked to lie on your back and relax. The next step involves the practitioner heating up the relevant liquid to your treatment, to a level that roughly matches your body temperature. The liquid is put in bowl with a small hole in the bottom, which is placed above your head, so the warm oil drips between your eyebrows. Your eyes will be protected by a lightweight barrier with the whole treatment lasting about 30 to 60 minutes. The treatment will finish with a relaxing head massage or a body massage.
How does Shirodhara work on the human body?
The oils used for shirodhara have potent brain boosting properties and help relax the mind and eliminate mental toxins or ama as the oil gently drips onto the space between your eyebrows. With powerful antioxidants and flavonoids the oil stimulates the vital points on your head which helps boost blood circulation, improve concentration and memory and promote alertness. The head massage done at the beginning or at the end of the therapy helps the oil further infuse deep into the scalp and permeate into the internal peripheral nerves of the forehead.
For shirodhara you will need oil such as sesame oil or coconut oil or buttermilk and the herbs for infusion. You will also need clothes you don’t mind getting oil on or depending on where you get the treatment done you may be provided with covering.
When is the best time to do the treatment?
Treatment is normally done either in the morning or in the evening to ensure the best results which is usually followed by a whole body massage or abhyanga besides a head and scalp massage. The entire therapy process empowers the mind and body and creates a state of deep rest with a similar state to that of a person who has meditated.
How to maximise the benefits of Shirodhara?
Once you have got the treatment done to maximise the benefits there are a few steps that are best followed.
You should take a bath using medicated water or warm water about 30 minutes after the treatment and use medicated shampoos to remove the oil from your hair. Follow with a vata pacifying diet and avoid caffeinated products for a few days as they may negate the benefits of the treatment.
Conclusion
If you want to experience calm and a peaceful state of mind with soothed nerves then get a shirodhara treatment done. Offering so many benefits from treating insomnia to relieving stress, this ayurvedic treatment provides immense benefits towards mental health by rebalancing your dosha because the various herbal oils used sooth, nourish and pacify the dosha as well. Find an experienced ayurvedic practitioner and make an appointment to have this classic ayurvedic therapy done for a boost to your mental health and wellbeing.