Shirodhara — what kind of procedure it is and how it goes

The word «shirodhara» consists of two roots: «shiro» — from Sanskrit «head», and «dhara» — «stream». This is both the name and an exact description of the procedure: a continuous thin stream of warm oil composition pours onto the forehead, into the area that in Ayurveda is associated with the «third eye». Shirodhara is often called an oil head massage, although in essence it is not a massage but precisely an even flow of warm oil.

Shirodhara is a warm oil poured in a stream onto the forehead at an Ayurvedic clinic.

Most often for shirodhara sesame oil is taken — it warms. Ayurvedic doctors consider that the best effect is given by a composition of vegetable and essential oils selected to suit the person’s constitution.

In Ayurvedic clinics of India a session lasts from 20 to 90 minutes; there is a shortened variant of 10–15 minutes. It is advisable to undergo shirodhara as a course — from 3 days to 3 weeks. At home it is also practised, but this is technically not easy (about this — below).

Types of shirodhara

Depending on which liquid is poured onto the forehead, several types of shirodhara are distinguished — they are traditionally selected to suit the type of dosha imbalance:

  • Thailadhara — with warm medicinal oil (more often sesame). The most widespread type, traditionally applied with agitated vata: stress, anxiety, insomnia.
  • Kširadhara — with warm milk (sometimes with herbal decoctions). A gentle, cooling variant; traditionally — with overheating, vata-pitta conditions.
  • Takradhara — with buttermilk (fermented milk whey, in essence «on kefir»). Cools and calms; traditionally — with kapha and pitta conditions, with heat, itching of the scalp.
  • Jaladhara — with warm water or a herbal decoction. The lightest variant.

Which composition suits you exactly is determined at the clinic by the doctor after a diagnosis.

What benefit shirodhara has

The main thing is deep relaxation and the relief of tension; along with it, it is a gentle care of the scalp and hair. Warm oil relaxes the facial muscles, the face smooths out, and after it the whole body relaxes. A feeling of detachment from everyday cares arises.

Many describe the state as lightness, deep calm, close to meditation. In such a setting it is easier to switch off from stress and calmly think over complex questions. The stability of the effect is higher with a course.

Indications and contraindications

Shirodhara is traditionally applied first of all as a relaxing procedure in conditions connected with stress:

  • stress, anxiety, nervous tension;
  • insomnia and sleep disorders;
  • headaches and migraines;
  • reduced concentration and memory;
  • premature greying and hair loss;
  • dryness and irritation of the scalp.

Shirodhara is a gentle procedure. Still, there are situations when it is better not to carry it out.

Contraindications (according to Ayurveda shirodhara is not done):

  • with infectious and viral illnesses (flu, cold);
  • immediately after food or alcohol;
  • on an empty stomach or with strong thirst;
  • after heavy physical exertion;
  • immediately after oiling or taking a laxative;
  • children under 5 years and elderly people over 80.

These restrictions are needed so that a person can fully relax and the body does not experience overload.

How shirodhara is done

In India a special copper vessel with a small hole in the bottom is used for the procedure. The room should be warm, light and aired; in clinics there are separate rooms and equipment for this.

  1. The person is laid on a flat surface. So that the oil does not get into the eyes, a cloth roll is placed along the line of the forehead — it collects the composition and directs it off to the sides.
  2. The vessel is fixed roughly 20 cm above the forehead, in the area of the «third eye», and filled with the warm composition (oil, herbal infusion or milk).
  3. The hole is opened, and the stream pours evenly onto the forehead.

After the session it is important to preserve the relaxed state as long as possible. In clinics at the final stage a light massage and/or a warm bath with herbs is done. At home it is harder to achieve such full relaxation — in the clinic the staff take care of all the technical trouble.

Why practising shirodhara at home is not easy

At first glance the procedure is simple, but there are technical points:

  • Place. A flat plane is needed so that the spine straightens and the body lies in the shavasana pose (relaxed, slightly spread arms and legs, an extended neck). An ordinary bed is not suitable.
  • Vessel. A container with a closable hole in the bottom is needed, better copper (holds heat longer). It costs a fair amount.
  • Fixture. Holding a 1–3 litre vessel in the hands even for a couple of minutes is hard — a stable hanging construction is needed; a heavy copper vessel can cause injury if it falls.
  • Spilled oil. Per session at least a litre of composition is poured onto the head; the oil then takes a long time to wipe up, and a slippery floor is dangerous, especially for children.

As a result, instead of resting, at home you have to get involved in cleaning up — and this is extra stress, from which shirodhara is precisely supposed to relieve. Therefore a full course is better undergone at a clinic — for example, on tours to India.

Conclusion

Shirodhara, carried out according to the rules of Ayurveda, brings calm and relieves nervous tension: the facial muscles relax, the «mask» of fatigue goes away, and a calm mind more easily makes considered decisions. This is not a cosmetic procedure done «in passing». Shirodhara is classed as oiling — Snowfall, alongside Ayurvedic massage Abhyanga.

Shirodhara is a relaxing practice of Ayurveda, not a replacement for treatment; with illnesses it is undergone only after consulting a doctor.

Shirodhara is carried out both separately and as part of Panchakarma programmes — course cleansing at clinics of India.

Professional clinics of India where shirodhara is carried out

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Frequently asked questions

It is an Ayurvedic procedure in which warm oil (or milk, a decoction) pours onto the forehead in a continuous thin stream. The main task is deep relaxation and the relief of stress.

In clinics of India — from 20 to 90 minutes, there is a short variant of 10–15 minutes. A lasting effect is given by a course of 3 days to 3 weeks.

Not only. Besides oil (tailadhara), warm milk (kshiradhara), buttermilk whey (takradhara, «on kefir») and water or a decoction (jaladhara) are used. The composition is selected to suit the constitution and the task.

No. It is often called an «oil head massage», but in essence it is not a massage but an even flow of warm oil onto the forehead. Massage (abhyanga) is a separate procedure.

Technically it is possible, but difficult: a flat surface, a special copper vessel with a fixing, are needed, and then the spilled oil takes a long time to clean up. The full relaxing effect is easier to get at a clinic.

It is usually not bought separately — in clinics of India shirodhara is part of Ayurvedic programmes and Panchakarma. The final cost depends on the clinic and the length of the course (specific prices — in the clinic cards in the catalogue).

With a cold and infections, immediately after food/alcohol/heavy exertion, on an empty stomach, for children under 5 and the elderly over 80. With chronic illnesses — first consult a doctor.

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