09/09/2022
What Is Shirodhara?
Shirodhara is a classic Ayurvedic therapy or the practice of slowly and steadily dripping medicated oil or medicated decoctions on the forehead. The therapy induces a relaxed state of awareness that results in a psychosomatic balance. Intense feelings of wellness, mental lucidity, and comprehension are experienced in the Shirodhara treatment.
shirodhara-process
Shirodhara therapy induces a relaxed state in the mind as well as the body; these effects are arbitrated by the brain wave coherence, alpha waves, and downregulation of the sympathetic outflow. The center of the forehead, also known as the third eye, is connected usually to the pineal gland.
Focusing on the third eye with closed eyes during meditation leads to psychosomatic harmony. And similarly, when the oil drips on the forehead, the meditation-like effect is a consequence of stillness of the mind leading to an adaptive response to the basal stress.
oil-dripping-on-forehead
As per Ayurveda, Shirodhara is specifically advised when there is an aggravation of Vata and Pitta Doshas in the mind and body. An augmentation of Vata dosha results in insomnia, racing thoughts, anxiety, stress, dryness, hair fall, pain, and aches, whereas an aggravated Pitta dosha causes anger, irritability, frustration, burning sensation, migraines, and premature greying of the hair. Shirodhara is said to be beneficial when these Vata and Pitta imbalances create the above concerns.
