Shirodhara treatment is a classic Ayurvedic therapy, which includes pouring of warm medicated herbal oil on the forehead in a continuous stream. Ayurvedic Shirodhara therapy is very effective in promoting sound sleep and reducing stress. Shirodhara treatment is one among the Bahiparimarjana chikitsa, or external treatments told in Ayurveda.
Shirodhara comes from the two Sanskrit words “shiro” (head) and “dhara” (flow). It’s an Ayurvedic healing technique that involves having someone pour medicated liquid — usually oil, milk, buttermilk, — onto your forehead. It’s often combined with a body and head massage. Pouring of medicated warm oils used stimulates and sooth the hypothalamus, thereby regulating the functions of pituitary gland and inducing sleep. Shirodhara stimulates Marma’s or Vital Points in the head and improves circulation. The warm oils used for Shirodhara also cause vasodilatation of all the channels and thereby improve the blood circulation of brain. Shirodhara also reduces the level of stress hormones such as adrenaline and nor adrenaline and thus relaxes mind.
Ajna Marma’ – The Focal point of Shirodhara:
Shirodhara stimulates the Ajna Marma, which is one of most important vital points of the body, or ‘maha-marma’ on the head. It is a key juncture not only for nerves and tissues, but also of the circulation of vital life force, or ‘prana’ . The Ajna Marma is also called the ‘Third-Eye’ Chakra, which is the sixth primary chakra in your body, and is often known as the centre of intuition and foresight.
According to Ayurveda, stimulating the Ajna marma leads to an expansion of awareness, a state of parasympathetic repose, an egoless state, during which we connect deeply with or own selves and subconscious. It is a process in which the innate intelligence of our body is revealed. With your eyes covered, you enter a state of blissful relaxation akin to meditation.
What are the benefits of Shirodhara treatment ?
The benefits of Shirodhara involves treatment for Sleep problems, Memory loss, Poor concentration, Chronic headaches, Stress, Depression, Mental tension, Hypertension, Facial Paralysis and Degenerative conditions of the brain. The medicated oils absorbed through the scalp stimulate the hair follicles, and hence Shirodhara is a vital therapy to treat hair problems such as Premature grey color of hair or Hair fall.
Research also suggests that Shirodhara may help:
- Aids Memory
- Promotes better sleep
- Body get Strengthened
- Improves Concentration
- Body get Strengthened
- Solution to many Eye Disorders
- Increases Blood Circulation in the head and brain
- Improves hearing and clears the nasal problems.
- Benefits chronic headache and migraines
- Reduces stress
- Relieves from Anxiety and Nervousness
- Increase the Blood Circulation of head and brain
- Improves the vision, hearing and clears the nasal problems.
When Shirodhara is not recommended ?
- Shirodhara should be avoided if a woman is in her third trimester of pregnancy
- for those with a rash or sunburn on the forehead or scalp.