Shirodhara is an ayurvedic massage Treatment in which liquids or oils are poured over the forehead with the help of the copper vessel which is known as “Shirodhara equipment.” It is a therapy which was in practice since ancient times. It is of great helpful in treating of diseases-related to stress such as mental fatigue depression, anxiety, etc…. Shirodhara can decrease fatigue and initiates a relaxing effect on brain cells.

What is Shirodhara?

The word Shirodhara came from two Sanskrit words (Shiro+dhara), Shiro means a head, and dhara means flow. Shirodhara is a massage treatment which involves uses of various liquid oils. Shirodhara is a treatment in which pouring of liquids is performed; the liquids or oil is gently poured over the forehead of a person. It is more specifically poured on and around the centre of both eyes, which is termed as “a third eye” in Ayurveda. It is a Chakra point which is above and between the eyebrows it is believed to be the seat of human consciousness.

In Shirodhara, the oil poured on a forehead that is comfortably warm it continues a process that may last about 25 minutes or more. During the treatment, the person feels unexplainable pleasure and cheerfulness, which provide a complete rest to mind.

What Are The Types of Shirodhara?

Different types of liquids are in the treatment of Shirodhara it may consists of various oils, coconut milk, buttermilk, decoctions and milk which a Herbal Infusion are used in Shirodhara. The process is almost the same but due to use of different liquids the treatment differs with different health benefits, below is some of Shirodhara  therapy known by different names.

Jala Dhara: In this type of treatment only water or coconut water is used, it is generally used for the cure of ailments related to Pitta diseases or to remove excess heat from the body.

Dugadha Dhara: This treatment is also known as “Ksheerdhara” in which milk is used as the main ingredient in Shirodhara is called “dugadha dhara” means “flow of milk”.

Taila Dhara: This treatment is also called “Thyla dhara” means “flow of oil” various oils are used in this type of dhara.

Kwatha Dhara: In this type of treatment decoctions made from various herbs are used. The decoctions are made as per dosha of the person including condition and bodily defect of the person.

Takra Dhara: This treatment is also known as “Thakradhara” in this buttermilk is used as the main ingredient as pouring of liquid.

Shirodhara Oil Ingredients & Uses

In general “Ksheera Bala Taila” is used in Shirodhara treatment, but other oils that are also used as per the condition and type of the person’s body. Below is the list of oils used in Shirodhara with the list of Ingredients used.

What are the Ingredients used in Shirodhara oil?

1.Ksheera Bala Taila

This oil name suggests or processed for only for one time. Generally this oil is used for external application, as in massage, but this version of the oil can also be taken internally.

Ingredients: Ksheera (cow milk), bala (sida cordifolia) and Taila (sesame oil) is used

2.Narayana Thailam

This oil is used for the treatment of many neuro- muscular and skeleton-muscular conditions; such as arthritis, neuralgia, etc., It is an important oil that is widely used Ayurvedic oils; it can be used both as oral or as external application.

Ingredients: Patala (Stereospermum suaveolens),Agnimantha (Premna mucronata), Bilva (Aegle marmelos),Shyonaka (Oroxylum indicum), Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum), Paribhadra (Erythrina variegate),Prasarini (Paedaria foetida),Brihati (Solanum indicum),Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera),Bala (Sida cordifolia),Atibala (Abutilon indicum), Shvadamshtra (Tibullus terrestris), Rasna (Pluchea lanceolata),Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa),Water,Taila Sesame oil (Sesame indicum),Shatapushpa (Anethum sowa),Devadaru (Cedrus deodara), Goksheera (Cow milk), Shatavari rasa (Juice of Asparagus racemosus),Mamsi (Nardostachys jatamansi),Shaileyaka (Convolvulus pluricaulis),Vacha (Acorus calamus), Turagagandha (Withania somnifera),Chandana (Pterocarpus santalinus),Tagara (Valeriana wallichi),Kushta (Saussurea lappa),Ela (cardamom), Mudgaparni (Phaseolus trilobus), Mashaparni (Teramnus labialis), Prishnaparni (Uraria picta), Shalaparni (Desmodium gangeticum),Saindhava Lavana (Rock salt),Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa).

3.Karpasasthyadi Thailam

This oil is used for the treatment of spondylosis, paralysis; facial palsy and other neuro-muscular conditions caused due to Vata imbalance.

Ingredients: masha (black gram), kulattha (dolichos biflorus), kushta (saussurea lappa), sarshapa (mustard), nagara (ginger), rasna (pluchea lanceolata), shatahva (asparagus reaemosus), devadaru (cedrus deodara), karpasa asthi (cotton seed), pippalimoola (piper longum), bala (sida cordifolia), chavya (piper chaba), shigru (moringa oleifera), punarnava (boerhaavia diffusa), sesame oil and ajaksheera (goat milk) along with water is used as decoction.

4.Dhanwantharam Thailam

This oil is used for treating injuries, to clear blockages and restore circulation. It regularizes breathing by breaking down excessive kapha in the chest. It is helpful in respiratory congestion, aches for lack of sensation pain, and swelling.

Ingredients: balamoola (sida cordifolia),water, paya (cow milk), Yava (barley),kola (Zizyphus jujube),Kulattha (horse gram),Dasamoola ( mixture of ten roots),bilva (aegle marmelos),agnimantha (premna mucronata),shyonaka (oroxylum indicum),patala (stereospermum suaveolens), amla (emblica officinalis),gambhari (gmelina arborea), shatahva (asparagus), kantakari (solanum xanthocarpum),gokshura (tribulus terrestris), brihati (solanum indicum),shalaparni (desmodium gangeticum), saindhava lavana (rock salt),prishnaparni (uraria picta), sariva (hemidesmus indicus),taila oil of (sesamum indicum), vibhitaki (terminalia bellirica),meda (polygonatum cirrhifolium), haritaki (terminalia chebula),mahameda (polygonatum verticillatum),daru (cedrus deodara),manjishta (rubia cordifolia),kakoli (fritillaria roylei), ksheerakakoli (lilium polyphyllum), patra (cinnamomum tamala),chandana (pterocarpus santalinus),kushta (saussurea lappa),tagara (valeriana wallichi), jeevaka (malaxis acuminate),kalanusari (valeriana wallichi), rishabhaka (manilkara hexandra),shaileya (convolvulus pluricaulis),vacha (acorus calamus),agaru (aquilaria agallocha), ashwagandha (withania somnifera),shatavari (asparagus racemosus), punarnava (boerhaavia diffusa),ksheerashukla (ipomoea mauritiana),yashti (licorice),mashaparni (teramnus labialis),mudgaparni (phaseolus trilobus),ela cardamom (elettaria cardamomum),twak cinnamon (cinnamomum camphora).

5.Chandanadi Thailam

This oil is used for relieving heat exhaustion, burning sensation in the body, vertigo or dizziness. Besides this, it is also used to apply over the scalp for disorders of hairs and aiding in burning disturbance of the head.

Ingredients: Safed shandan (santalum album),agar (gelidium corneum),talisa patra(abies webbiana),manjishta (rubia cordifolia),haridra (curcuma longa),nagarmotha (cyperus rotundus),kachur (curcuma zedoaria), kateri (solanum surattense),bharangi (clerodendrum serratum), lal chandan (pterocarpus santalinus),vasa patra (adhatoda vasica),khareti (sida cordifolia),giloe (tinospora cordifolia),safed chandan (santalum album),kapur (cinnamomum camphora), laung (syzygium aromaticum),ela (plectranthus amboinicus),kesar (crocus sativus),kasturi (curcuma aromatica)beside this narvi,padam kashtha,shilaras and laksha is also used.

What Is Shirodhara Good For?

• It improves a mental status and calm emotion.
• It rejuvenates face and removes the lines of the face.
• It strengthens the head and neck.
• It is helpful for insomnia and schizophrenia patient.
• It improves the quality of voice.
• It is helpful in diseases related with the head, ears, nose, neck, eyes and throat.
• It controls mood swings and easy depression.
• It provides firmness to the body by stimulating the nervous system.
• It is useful in diseases related to the nervous system such as nerve disorder, paralysis facial palsy and drooping of eyelids.
• It improves digestion and overall health of the skin.
• It reduces headache and burning sensation of the head.
• It improves you spiritual awakening and increases intuition.
• It revitalizes the pituitary glands and cools the body.

Now a day, Shirodhara massage is mostly used in spas for its relaxing properties is mostly used non-medicinally but no one can imagine that it has marvellous benefits.