Shirodhara is a Sanskrit word with two parts: Shiro, meaning head, and Dhara, meaning flow, stream, or pour.
To receive Shirodhara, the patient lies down on a massage table with their eyes closed. It provides the inner potential for well-being and strength. Shirodhara can be done with decoctions ( Kashaya Dhara ), medicated buttermilk ( Takradhara ), or medicated milk ( Ksheerdhara ).
The place where Shirodhara is done should be peaceful, calm, with light relaxation music & full of aroma. The oil is streamed from the right to the left temple. After several minutes, the stream is set to the middle of the forehead, from where it flows continuously for the rest of the treatment. The point between the eyebrows is known as 3rd eye. It is considered to be the seat of spiritual awakening. The Hindus also call it the ‘Sixth Chakra’ or ‘Home of Intuition’. The oil pour lasts approximately 30-60 minutes and is followed by a head massage.
Benefits
1. Counteracts the effect of stress -: It induces calmness, promotes tranquillity, and facilitates deep relaxation. When your body enters in deep relaxation, stress hormone declines. Our hyper-alert brain pattern (β waves) transits into relaxed alert ones (α waves). One small study shows that Shirodhara treatment significantly impacts on respiratory rate, diastolic blood pressure & heart rate.
2. Reduces Anxiety -: Brain waves have been shown to synchronize with external stimulation. The gentle and repetitive stimulation to the centre of the forehead reduces anxiety. It activates a powerful energy point, the aagya chakra.
3. Awakens Intuition -: When a specially warm herbal oil, medicated buttermilk, or decoction is poured in a steady stream directly onto the forehead, it stimulates your aagya chakra or the seat of Sthapani marma.
4. Improves sleep quality -: It improves your sleep quality. According to many types of research, the people having insomnia get relaxed after Shirodhara. It has been shown that it reduces brain waves to more relaxed α waves.
5. Pacific Vata Dosha -: Chaotic thoughts, scattered attention, forgetfulness- all these problems are associated with Vata that can also be balanced by Shirodhara. The warmth and the steadiness of the oil pour balances the frustrating nature of Vata.
Shirodhara should be given for 7 to 14 days according to the disease & nature of the patient. Different dharas are given in different diseases, like Hypertension, Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Hair fall, & Premature greying of hair. It is really beneficial if anyone takes Shirodhara according to the Prakriti of the patient.
Watch the video of this procedure : https://youtu.be/eo_eawn9Agc?si=Ka3rxMBc90yB5yn8