Shirodhara

Shirodhara – The Magical Ayurveda Treatment for Relaxation and Calmness

Shirodhara is a treatment that has gained immense relevance in today’s stressful day-to-day life. As an Ayurveda doctor in Chennai, I have seen an exponential increase in the number of inquiries about Shirodhara over the recent years. People have become increasingly aware of the calming benefits of shirodhara and its effect on the nervous system. A critical step of the Panchakarma, as well as an individual treatment modality, Shirodhara literally means a thin continuous flow over the head. It involves pouring a thin stream of warm medicated oils or ghee over a person’s forehead. This treatment has become the first choice of people who seek alternate options to relax the stressed nerves.

Let’s clarify some important details about this interesting procedure and its innumerable benefits.

Calming benefits of Shirodhara

Shirodhara is the Ayurveda treatment of choice when you body overcome imbalances in Vata and Pitta rogas. The nerve effects of Vata roga include anxiety and fear, while Pitta roga leads to uncontrollable anger and irritability. It also induces vibration as the oil permeates through the forehead’s skin to the body’s nervous system. This is the treatment of choice for insomnia, hypertension, and depression. In addition, shirodhara is a precious option in case of psychosomatic disorders and conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep disorders, and jet lag. This procedure is also a great option to relieve fatigue and for rejuvenating the mind.

How does it work?

The scientific explanation of shirodhara is interesting. When the warm oils are poured on a person’s forehead, it stimulates the hypothalamus, inducing sleep and improving the brain’s blood circulation. It also manages the levels of stress hormones in the body, leading to relaxation.  In addition to medicated oils, shirodhara also uses ghee and buttermilk. The  oil definitely needs to be warm as it is poured as a thin stream oscillating to and fro over the person’s forehead – a critical marma of the human body. Alternately a well is created over the person’s forehead using wet flour and the warm medicated oil is placed in this well. Another option is to constantly apply cotton pads soaked in medicated oils over the forehead. This process extends anywhere between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on the intended outcome of the procedure.

Special care during the procedure

Avoid this procedure in case of pregnancy, especially during the third trimester, head injuries, nausea and vomiting, fever, and related conditions. Make sure that the room is quiet and calm, at the right temperature and not too cold. Choose the medicated oil depending on the intended outcome. Both before and after the procedure avoid excessive strain and mental excitement.

Shirodhara – the ideal solution for distressing the mind and soul

Shirodhara is indeed the perfect procedure to relax your mind especially in case of stressful conditions. The approach of using a thin stream of oil flowing steadily on to the forehead brings innumerable benefits in calming the mind. Make sure that you approach an expert with proven experience in providing Ayurveda treatment for this procedure. Ensure that you follow all the required precautions before, during, and after this process.