Health Benefits of Shirodhara:

Table of Contents

Introduction:

Ayurveda is the holistic, ancient science and alternative medicine system of well-being and is a unique tradition of India that has been with us for thousands of years. In various Ayurvedic treatments, Vedic scriptures have a long legacy of promoting emotional well-being, and physical health. These practices bring the use of different oils, herbs, spices, and natural components that come together to assist an individual to overcome and manage various healths disorders and guide them toward a healthy lifestyle and well-being.

The term Shirodhara comes from two Sanskrit words, ‘Shiro’ means head and ‘Dhara’ means pouring, it is a traditional Ayurvedic method of healing that has been used from ancient times to bring the body, mind, and soul to a harmonious level. This therapy not only eliminates the harmful toxins from the body but also gets rid of mental exhaustion, and relieves stress, and tension. Shirodhara therapy provides multiple health benefits which mainly include balancing doshic elements, mitigating stress, helping in the transformation of lymphatic fluids, exfoliating dead skin cells, enhancing the functioning of the central nervous system, and providing relief from stress, anxiety, mental fatigue, etc.

Synonyms of Shirodhara:

Ayurvedic Acharyas like Acharya Charka and Sushruta denote Shirodhara by various names such as Sirothara, Dhara, Shirasek, Parishek, Shiro sheka, etc.

Procedure of Shirodhara:

In Shirodhara therapy, the person is asked to relax and lie down while a liquid containing herbal water, oil, buttermilk, milk is dropped gently on the person’s forehead and the position is just between the eyebrows that are often regarded as the place of the ‘Third-Eye’. While performing Shirodhara, the person’s eye is covered properly to provide protection.

Types of Shirodhara:

The liquid used in Shirodhara therapy depends on the patient as per their case history and symptoms, accordingly medicated milk, oil, buttermilk can be recommended for further procedure:

Dugdha Dhara (Ksheerdhara): Milk used for shirodhara.
Takradhara: Buttermilk is used for Shirodhara.
Jala Dhara: Jala Dhara is mainly prescribed in the case of aggravated Pitta dosha and hence coconut water is used as the main ingredient for the therapy.
Kashaya Dhara: In the procedure, when herbal extracts are used.
Kwath Dhara: Depending upon the patient’s condition or dosha imbalance, the main ingredient in kwath dhara consists of decoctions made up of various herbs.

Benefits of Shirodhara:

Shirodhara therapy has multiple health benefits and has a complete solution to nervous-system-related disorders. Below-mentioned is some benefits of Shirodhara:

Balances Sleep Cycle:

Due to hectic and fast-paced lifestyles, unhealthy diets, there is a disruption in our body’s natural patterns and almost every working person has a poor quality of sleep this pattern leads to more complicated issues such as memory and brain malfunctioning, insomnia, weakened immunity, high risk of diabetes, excessive lethargy and dizziness, etc. All these factors could cause a detrimental effect on our overall emotional and physical well-being. By undergoing Shirodhara therapy, the body’s cortisol levels are reduced which leads to the reduction of excessive stress in the body and improves the quality and duration of sleep.

Manages Anxiety:

Repetitive oil dripping in the middle of the forehead causes a soothing effect and it mainly focuses on ’Ajna Marma’, our body point that helps in relieving stress, tension, and anxiety. Thus, by performing Shirodhara, the medicated herbs have an immediate stress-relieving effect on the body.

Along with pouring oil, a head massage is done to improve the alpha rhythm in EEG. It is a brain pattern that has been linked to a reduction of stress and anxiety and enhances a feeling of tranquility. Thus, this amazing therapy effectively manages generalized and specific anxiety disorders while improving our cognitive abilities.

Manages Stress and related problems:

Shirodhara therapy is particularly effective for combating excessive mental stress, tensions, and turning on the body’s parasympathetic nervous system. The medicated herbs used in this therapy improve blood circulation stabilizes blood pressure, bring down respiration rate, and regulate our heart rate.

Jet Lag:

These Panchakarma therapies also help to reset the body’s natural rhythms when we are traveling especially if traveling from multiple time zones. This therapy helps us to get our body on its regular working cycle sooner.

Excessive Fatigue:

Fatigue is mainly caused by the unique mix of spiritual factors and emotional wellness as well. By Shirodhara procedure, the medicated perpherbs reduce fatigue and initiate a soothing effect on brain cells. Due to its rejuvenating and purifying properties, it eliminates toxins and mental exhaustion.

Hypertension:

The Shirodhara therapy induces potent vasodilator effects on the body. The medicated oil used in the procedure activates the agnaya chakra, which in turn dilates the blood vessels and helps in improving the blood circulation throughout the body.

PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder):

This therapy amazingly works in relieving stressful conditions and helps in inducing sleep. The properties of Ayurvedic herbs that are used in Shirodhara are very beneficial in managing the symptoms of people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Pacifies Vata Dosha:

The combination of air and space elements is Vata Dosha. Any disturbance or imbalance in the Vata dosha within the body can lead to scattered attention, physical restlessness, forgetfulness, etc. Thus, the medicated oils used in this therapy pacify the aggravated dosha and balance the light, cool, and fluctuating nature of Vata and hence provide relief from various underlying symptoms of aggravated Vata dosha.

For Vision Problems:

Ayurvedic therapy is extremely beneficial in the case of vision problems. Along with the therapy, massage with medicated warm herbal oils improves the eye muscles and improves clarity and eyesight.

Effective in Cognitive Abilities:

The medicated oils used in this therapy have the best brain-boosting properties that are enriched with powerful antioxidants and flavonoids, Medhya Rasayana helps in improving memory capacity, and concentration power calm the nervous system, relieves the mind from tension and stress, and reduces the risk of memory loss. Thus, a person can take multiple health benefits of Shirodhara to stay healthy, and for the management of nervous system disorders.

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