Shirodhara is a unique and amazing body therapy belonging to the ancient medical system of Ayurveda. Considered to be a divine therapy, Shirodhara is a healing practice carried out in India for more than 5000 years. Shiro means head and Dhara refers to flow – thus Shirodhara is a practice of having a flow of oil on the forehead and scalp. It is a fantastic body detox therapy involving relaxation process and it is highly rejuvenating.
This process is meant to improve the function of the central nervous system and is useful for the treatment of various conditions like sinusitis, memory loss and eye diseases. The practice of Shirodhara works on the nervous system to calm and relax the mind and nerves while cleansing them.
According to Ayurveda, Shirodhara proves to be extremely beneficial for those who have an imbalance of Pitta and Vata. Pitta imbalance causes frustration, irritability, anger, and judgment while fear, worry, and insecurity result out of Vata imbalance. The application of liquid on the scalp, nervous system and forehead soothes, pacifies and nourishes the doshas.
Shirodhara Procedure
To perform Shirodhara, the patient is laid on a table and a pot with a small hole is hung above the forehead of the person. Then the medicated liquid, mainly in the form of lukewarm milk or oil, is poured into the pot and it slowly falls onto the head of the patient. It is poured in a continuous stream on the ‘Ajna Marma’, a spot where the concentration of nerves is high.
A specific vibration is created with the pressure of oil on the forehead. The liquid penetrates the scalp and forehead to reach the nervous system. The soothing warmth and gentle pressure of the liquid give the mind, body and nervous system a peaceful experience. A towel is placed on the forehead or a band is tied to prevent the liquid from entering the eyes.
This treatment continues for about 45 minutes every day. The therapy is effective at restoring and calming down the nerves, purifying the mind, relieving anxiety, releasing emotions, curing fatigue, chronic headaches, nervousness, insomnia and other problems.
Shirodhara Benefits
This Ayurvedic divine treatment is great for somebody with a compromised nervous system. In addition to relieving symptoms like hypertension, stress, anxiety, fatigue, depression, headache and fear, Shirodhara is effective at regulating the mood and inducing feelings of relaxation and pleasure.
Shirodhara helps with the following medical conditions,
Hypertension – The therapy is proven to be effective in lowering blood pressure. It is also a good treatment for any healthy person willing to maintain his health and improving immunity, well-being, and clarity. Shirodhara relieves fatigue, rejuvenates mind and body and promotes relaxation.
It also works to balance the energy level. For those who need some relaxation and rest, this treatment provides it and if the person is well-rested, it improves perception and clarity. Shirodhara relieves worry and stress and increases immunity while balancing the doshas so that the body constitution is strong. It provides total relaxation as obtained from meditation. It gives relief from worry, stress, and thoughts and relaxes and renews the face, softening worry lines.
Insomnia – Known for ages to help with sleep problems, Shirodhara is proven by research to work individually as well as with other herbal treatment to cure insomnia and Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD). The therapy of caressing the forehead with milk stimulates the melatonin-producing glands to regulate the wake-sleep cycle.
It calms a mind and induces peace and rest. If you are suffering from insomnia or your sleeping cycle does not sync with the natural rhythm, Shirodhara can help you eliminate fatigue, restore energy and rejuvenate harmony in your doshas.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – The Vata dosha imbalance, responsible for PTSD, is treated with Shirodhara. The process performed with the right oil containing effective herbs would deeply soothe one’s nervous system and assist in overcoming the symptoms of PTSD.
Jet Lag – For frequent flyers whose sleep rhythm often goes out of sync and those who suffer from jet lag, Shirodhara is a nice option. It can help reset the sleeping and waking patterns and eliminate fatigue. It is a good idea to apply Bhringaraj or Vata oil to the head before going to bed.
Shirodhara Benefits
Some of the most important benefits of this ancient Ayurvedic treatment are summarized below,
- Treatment of insomnia
- Lowering of blood pressure
- Stress Reduction
- Decrease in fatigue and hair loss
- Enhanced concentration and mental focus
- Relief from migraine headaches
- Stabilized nervous system
The Perfect Shirodhara
If you are willing to try out this treatment, consider three points explained below to achieve a great Shirodhara therapy,
1. Maintain Silence – During Shirodhara, mobile phones should be switched off and no music should be played. One should ensure that no conversations or interruptions take place. Any noise can distract the person from experiencing mental peace.
2. Adjust Room Temperature – In cooler seasons of the year, it is advisable to have a warm room during this treatment. The head gets wet with liquid during the therapy and it is important to see that the patient does not get cold or the experience could degrade. Ensure that the temperature of the room is comfortable for the therapy.
3. Select Appropriate Liquid – Choosing Shirodhara oil is an important thing to consider when going for this treatment. One should consider the climate and the body constitution for selecting the Shirodhara oil. Sunflower and sesame oils can be used for the process. Sunflower oil has cooling properties and is beneficial to Pitta dosha while sesame is good for Vata dosha and is heating. Blending the two oils together is a nice option.
Avail the Ayurvedic treatment of Shirodhara to get rid of problems like stress, anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, excessive thinking, sinusitis and eye diseases and enhance your nervous system while awakening your body’s intuition. Maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, maintain your routines of sleeping and eating and consider some meditation to enjoy Shirodhara benefits to the fullest.
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