What Are All The Health Benefits Of Shirodhara Massage?
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Shirodhara
Ayurveda, the science of life, originated in India more than 5000 years ago. This healing system aids to provide treatments by understanding the root cause of the disease. Ayurveda ensures natural care through herbal remedies.
Shirodhara is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that unites an individual's mind, soul, and body. The word "Shiro" implies head and "Dhara" means a steady flow. Shirodhara treatments fall under the category of Bahiparimarjana chikitsa (external treatment) in Ayurveda. Shirodhara improves nerve function and balances the tridoshas.
The procedure of Shirodhara is dipping herbal oil or medicated oil to the forehead. In the Shirodhara procedure, the oil is poured from a specific point to run through the scalp and into the hair. Shirodhara ensures a lot of psychological as well as physiological benefits.
Types Of Shirodhara
Shirodhara can be generally classified into four.
- Takradhara
The Takradhara is an Ayurvedic therapy where medicated buttermilk is infused with herbs for the therapy. Takradhara helps to relax the mind and reduces stress levels. Takradhara helps to get relief from headaches, premature hair greying, prevents hair fall, cures insomnia, and treats diseases related to the eyes, nose, and ear.
- Kashaya Dhara
The word ' Kashaya' means medicated decoction and 'Dhara' means pouring. Kashaya Dhara therapy is performed by pouring medicated herbal decoction covering the forehead. Kashayadhara helps to get relief from diseases related to skin and hair. For kashaya dhara, herbal oils, medicated milk, and medicated buttermilk can be used.
- Ksheeradhara
The word 'Ksheera' means milk. Ksheeradhara is the process of pouring lukewarm cow milk processed with herbal decoction over the forehead or the whole body for a particular duration. Ksheeradhara ensures a relaxed mind, improves blood circulation, treats premature hair greying and hair fall, and treats insomnia.
- Thaila Dhara
Shirodhara with the use of medicated oil is called thaila dhara. The procedure of thailadhara is applying suitable oil for the head and body and doing a gentle massage on the body. Thaila Dhara has a lot of health benefits like treating nerve disorders, inducing sleep, treating stroke and facial paralysis, etc.
Shirodhara can be classified into four like takradhara, ksheeradhara, thaila dhara, and kashaya dhara.
Procedure Of Shirodhara
Different, careful steps have to be followed while doing Shirodhara.
- Your head and scalp will be massaged with plenty of oil just 5 to 10 minutes before the procedure starts.
- You need to lie on your back on the massage table in the supine position.
- A small pillow or towel will be placed under your neck for support.
- The Shirodhara pot or equipment will be placed over you in such a way that the herbal oil from the pot falls right over your forehead.
- The Shirodhara pot will be filled with herbal oils and placed in a position that the oil will be poured directly onto your forehead.
- The oil coming from the Shirodhara pot should be in continuous motion. .
- The pot is wavered to pour the oil from one side of the forehead to the other.
- Recollect the extra oil that has fallen from the forehead and reheat it to maintain the specific temperature of the Shirodhara oil.
- This process will be continued for around 20 to 30 minutes.
- A gentle massage on the head of the patient should be given throughout the therapy.
- After the Shirodhara massage, the oil will be wiped off from your head following which you will be relaxing for about 30 to 60 minutes. This will allow the oil to seep deep into your scalp.
Deep focus should be required while doing Shirodhara.
Shirodhara Oils And Ingredients
There are different types of oils used as the ingredient of Shirodhara. Before choosing the oil, the body type of the individual should be analyzed and use herbal oils based on it. Shirodhara oils contain herbal extracts that are to be used with milk, buttermilk, or coconut water as the ingredients. Shirodhara has immense health benefits in that it treats diseases such as allergic rhinitis, memory loss, vertigo, tinnitus, damage, insomnia, Meniere’s disease, eye diseases, sinusitis, various neurological disorders as well as certain skin disorders like psoriasis.
Various herbal oils that are used in the Shirodhara procedure is:
- Chandanadi thailam.
- Narayana thailam.
- Karpasasthyadi thailam.
- Ksheera Baladi thailam.
- Dhanwantharam thailam.
- Sesame oils.
- Ghee( clarified butter).
- Mahanarayan Oil.
Shirodhara with suitable herbal oils ensures lots of health benefits. Shirodhara helps to relieve mental stress and induces calm sleep. Shirodhara oils are rich in anti-stress and antidepressant properties.
Health Benefits Of Shirodhara
Shirodhara has immense health benefits to the mind, body, and soul. The treatment helps to reduce stress, promote blood circulation, restore damaged nerves, improve memory and cognitive function.
- Reduce stress and improve sleep
Shirodhara helps to relieve stress by reducing the level of stress hormones such as Adrenaline and Noradrenaline and thus relaxes the mind. Shirodhara treats insomnia and ensures calm sleep. Shirodhara promotes tranquillity and calmness and helps to get rid of mental stress. Pouring of warm oils used stimulates and soothes the hypothalamus, thereby regulating the functions of the pituitary gland and inducing sleep. Shirodhara helps to reduce the cortisol levels in the body and improves the quality and duration of sleep.
- Improve blood circulation
Vasodilation (widening of blood vessels) of all channels caused by warm oils used in Shirodhara improves blood circulation to the brain. Shirodhara can thus effectively treat hypertension and blood pressure.
- Deep Relaxation
The soothing properties of oil allow the body, mind, and nervous system to enter a deep state of rest, similar to meditation. Shirodhara promotes deep relaxation, relieves fatigue, and revitalizes the body and mind.
- Restore hair vitality
Shirodhara is a fine remedy for most of the issues related to hair. The medicated oils absorbed through the scalp stimulate the hair follicles, and hence Shirodhara helps to treat hair problems such as hair fall and premature greying of hair.
- Repair nerve degeneration
Shirodhara has a positive effect on improving the nervous system. Shirodhara helps to calm the mind and nerves. Shirodhara treats various problems like headaches, insomnia, memory loss, mental stress, hypertension, depression, facial paralysis, and helps to degenerate brain conditions.
- Improves vision
Eye diseases are a common problem among people in this electronic world. The warm herbal oils used in Shirodhara improve the eye muscles and vision naturally.
- Treats headache and migraine
Shirodhara contains anti-stress and antioxidant properties that help to calm the nerves and blood vessels in the head.
- Pacifies Vata dosha
Excess Vata dosha causes disorganized thinking, forgetfulness, and inattention. Shirodhara is the ultimate remedy for balancing Vata dosha. Shirodhara uses herbal oils to soothe aggravated Vata dosha.
Shirodhara is a prominent, ancient Ayurvedic practice that offers immense physiological and psychological benefits. Shirodhara improves sleep quality, reduces stress and anxiety, awakens intuition, pacifies Vata dosha, improves vision, improves blood circulation, treats headache and migraine, improves cognitive abilities, and positively affects the whole body.
Duration Of Shirodhara Treatment
- Generally, Shirodhara can be done for 7-28 days and the procedure will take 45-60 minutes per day based on the body type of the patient. The frequency of Shirodhara normally depends on the severity of the patient's health condition.
Precautions
- Shirodhara cannot be done during the last phase of pregnancy.
- Shirodhara is not recommended for people with brain tumors or neck injuries.
- Shirodhara should not be practised if you suffer from allergy, fever, vomiting, nausea, or fatigue.
Side Effects Of Shirodhara
Shirodhara is ultimately a restorative and regenerative therapy. No serious side effects were reported by practicing Shirodhara under strict medical supervision. However, proper precautions and care should be there while doing Shirodhara like:
- The oil should not enter the eyes or ears while doing Shirodhara.
- Sometimes Shirodhara may lead to certain health conditions like fever, vomiting, nausea, or some allergies.
- Hence, Shirodhara is supposed to be done in a classic Ayurvedic center with proper medical supervision.
Conclusion
The information regarding the health benefits of Shirodhara was obtained from ancient Ayurvedic scriptures. Kindly consult an Ayurvedic practitioner if you want to follow Shirodhara.
