Shirodhara is a more relaxed and therapeutic head massage experience that offers immense physical and mental benefits. In this, a light massage is given at the end after dripping oil on the forehead.
In this, a light massage is given at the end after dripping oil on the forehead. It’s a divine process that helps exfoliate dead skin, relieve stress, improve blood circulation, pacify elevated doshas and transport lymphatic fluids. Shirodhara can help purge toxins, reduce mental fatigue and improve brain function. According to Ayurveda, Shirodhara treatment uses medicated oil, milk-based solution, herbal decoction, or aqueous formulation.
- How it Works
- When the medicated oil or any herbal decoction is poured over the forehead, it creates a soothing sensation. This sensation goes to the hypothalamus via the peripheral nerves.
- Hypothalamus is responsible for inhibiting or releasing hormones in response to physical or emotional stimuli. As a result, the secondary hormones throughout the body become active and trigger a suitable response.
- Shirodhara can help regulate these hormones and bring balance to your mind and body. It can help relieve stress, promote restful sleep and calm down an agitated mind. In addition, using warm medicated oil can dilate the blood vessels and improve blood circulation, thereby enhancing brain function and beating mental fatigue.
- Shirodhara also regulates the level of serotonin in your body. Serotonin is a good hormone that helps stabilise your mood and make you feel grounded. However, abnormally high serotonin levels do the opposite. High serotonin levels are characterised by profuse sweating, shivering, the sensation of diarrhoea, restlessness, etc. Shirodhara is a potent therapy for promoting calmness and overcoming chronic stress.
Benefits of Shirodhara
1.Activates Intuition
2.Improves Sleep
3.Reduces Stress
4.Pacifies Elevated Vata Dosha
5.Improves Cognitive Abilities
Different Types of Shirodhara Treatment
- Tailadhara: It is a traditional Ayurvedic treatment in which medicated oils are used for the dhara. The oils are chosen according to the condition to be treated. It is advantageous for maintaining the body’s vata dosha balance.
- Takradhara- In Takradhara medicated buttermilk is used as dhara. It is extremely cooling to the head and is usually done in summer. It is advantageous for regulating the Pitta dosha.
- Ksheera Dhara- It is made with milk that is flavoured with herbs. The medicinal milk is applied to the head and helps calm he body while addressing headaches, tension, and anxiety caused by Vata and Pitta.
- Kwathdhara- Kwathdhara uses decoctions derived from several herbs. It helps in balancing the vata and kapha doshas.
- Jala Dhara- In this type of treatment coconut water or water is used as dhara. It is highly recommended for conditions where the body produces excess heat.
Indications:
- Hair fall
- Greying of Hair
- Improper vision
- Hypertension
- Anxiety
- اكتئاب
- التهيج
- Loss of sleep
- Paralysis
- الصداع
- Migraines
- Pacifies Vata doshas
- Insomnia
- Memory loss
- Stabilizes nervous system
Conclusion:
A standardized شيرودارا leads to a state of alert calmness similar to the relaxation response observed in meditation. The clinical benefits observed with شيرودارا in anxiety neurosis, hypertension, and stress aggravation due to chronic degenerative diseases could be mediated through these adaptive physiological effects.
شيرودارا is deeply relaxing and induces a relaxant state; these effects are mediated by the brain wave coherence, alfa waves, and a down regulation of the sympathetic outflow. The center of the forehead, which was evolution wise related to the third eye, is connected atavistically to the pineal gland. This spot is known as Agnya Chakra in the yoga tradition. Focusing on agnya chakra with closed eyes during meditation leads to psychosomatic harmony. As the oil drips on the agnya chakra, it is proposed that the meditation-like effect is a consequence of stillness of mind leading to adaptive response to the basal stress.
