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Shirodhara (view source)

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Shira means head and dhara means to stream or to pour. Thus, shirodhara (also known as shiraseka or shiraparisheka)literally means therapeutic streaming overhead.It is the procedure of pouring a suitable liquid on the forehead in a synchronized and rhythmic manner for a stipulated period. The reference from samhita for shirodhara is available under murdhni taila (oil applications to head). Various decoctions, milk, butter milk, sugarcane juice, ghee, oil etc. are used for shirodhara either in medicated or unprocessed forms. Conceptually shirodhara is indicated for eruptions on head having multiple openings/furunculosis, pricking type of pain in head (shirasthoda), burning sensation (daha), suppuration (paka) and wounds (vranas). [A. Hri.Sutra Sthana 22/24]. In all these conditions there is association of pitha dosha. So, it can be assumed that the procedure of shirodhara is mainly pacifying the pitta dosha. The medicines are chosen based on associated doshas. For example the group of four unctuous substances or sesame oil alone in vata, ghee and milk in pitha and decoction, sesame oil ,and butter milk in kapha.Shirodhara is said to have greater effect than head massage (shirobhyanga) and lesser effect than therapeutic procedure of placing tampon with oil over head region (shiropichu).[A.Hri Sutra Sthana 22/23] This is based on the pacification of vata dosha (vata shamana) property of the procedure as the session deals with the various oil applications of head where shirobasti is considered the supreme.This article deals with conceptual understanding and practical application of shirodhara.

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Shira means head and dhara means to stream or to pour. Thus, shirodhara (also known as shiraseka or shiraparisheka) literally means therapeutic streaming overhead. It is the procedure of pouring a suitable liquid on the forehead in a synchronized and rhythmic manner for a stipulated period. The reference from [[Samhita|samhita]] for shirodhara is available under [[Murdhni taila|murdhni taila]] (oil applications to head). Various decoctions, milk, butter milk, sugarcane juice, [[Ghee|ghee]], oil etc. are used for shirodhara either in medicated or unprocessed forms. Conceptually shirodhara is indicated for eruptions on head having multiple openings/furunculosis, pricking type of pain in head (shirasthoda), burning sensation (daha), suppuration (paka) and wounds (vranas). [A. Hri. [[Sutra Sthana|Sutra Sthana]] 22/24]. In all these conditions there is association of pitha dosha. So, it can be assumed that the procedure of shirodhara is mainly pacifying the [[Pitta dosha|pitta dosha]]. The medicines are chosen based on associated [[Dosha|doshas]]. For example the group of four unctuous substances or sesame oil alone in [[Vata dosha|vata]], [[Ghee|ghee]] and milk in pitha and decoction, sesame oil ,and butter milk in kapha.Shirodhara is said to have greater effect than head massage (shirobhyanga) and lesser effect than therapeutic procedure of placing tampon with oil over head region (shiropichu).[A.Hri [[Sutra Sthana|Sutra Sthana]] 22/23] This is based on the pacification of [[Vata dosha|vata dosha]] (vata shamana) property of the procedure as the session deals with the various oil applications of head where shirobasti is considered the supreme. This article deals with conceptual understanding and practical application of shirodhara.

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== Synonyms ==

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Shiraseka, Parisheka [A. Hr. Sutra Sthana 22/23-26], Murdhaseka, Anusechana [Su. Sa. Sarira Sthana 10/21], Parishechana [Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 6/105], Avaseka [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/181].

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Shiraseka, Parisheka [A. Hr. [[Sutra Sthana|Sutra Sthana]] 22/23-26], Murdhaseka, Anusechana [Su. Sa. Sarira Sthana 10/21], Parishechana [Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 6/105], Avaseka [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/181].

== Classification ==

Shirodhara can be classified according to the type of medicated liquid used.

<ol><li>Taila dhara (therapeutic streaming of oil)</li>

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<li>Sarpi dhara (therapeutic streaming of ghee)</li>

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<li>Sarpi dhara (therapeutic streaming of [[Ghee|ghee]])</li>

<li>Takra dhara (therapeutic streaming of medicated/plain butter milk)</li>

<li>Kshiradhara (therapeutic streaming of plain / medicated milk)</li>

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=== Taila dhara (therapeutic streaming of oil) ===

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Here medicated taila (oil) is used for shirodhara which is either vatashamana (pacifying vatadosha) or vatakapha shamana (pacifying both vata and kapha dosha) in nature. Taila(oil) is the best medicine for vata. [Cha.Sa. Siddhi Sthana 1/29]. Udumbaradi siddha taila is mentioned for therapeutic streaming in the management of bleeding disorders (raktapitta) [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 6/105]

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Here medicated taila (oil) is used for shirodhara which is either vatashamana (pacifying [[Vata dosha|vatadosha]]) or vatakapha shamana (pacifying both [[Vata dosha|vata]] and kapha dosha) in nature. Taila(oil) is the best medicine for [[Vata dosha|vata]]. [Cha.Sa. Siddhi Sthana 1/29]. Udumbaradi siddha taila is mentioned for therapeutic streaming in the management of bleeding disorders (raktapitta) [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 6/105]

=== Sarpi dhara (therapeutic streaming of ghee) ===

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Medicated or non-medicated ghee can be used for shirodhara in vata, pitta and rakta vitiated conditions. Sarpi is mentioned for therapeutic streaming in pain produced by vitiation of vata. [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/181].

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Medicated or non-medicated [[Ghee|ghee]] can be used for shirodhara in [[Vata dosha|vata]], [[Pitta dosha|pitta]] and rakta vitiated conditions. Sarpi is mentioned for therapeutic streaming in pain produced by vitiation of [[Vata dosha|vata]]. [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/181].

=== Takra dhara (therapeutic streaming of butter milk) ===

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Here medicated takra (butter milk) is used for shirodhara. It is indicated in diseases having kapha pitta vitiation. The drugs which are cold in touch/potency are indicated for shirodhara in headache due to vitiated pitta (paittika shirobhitapa)). [A. Hr. Uttara Sthana 24/11]

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Here medicated takra (butter milk) is used for shirodhara. It is indicated in diseases having kapha [[Pitta dosha|pitta]] vitiation. The drugs which are cold in touch/potency are indicated for shirodhara in headache due to vitiated pitta (paittika shirobhitapa)). [A. Hr. Uttara Sthana 24/11]

=== Ksheera dhara (therapeutic streaming of milk) ===

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As the name suggests, medicated or non-medicated milk is advised for shirodhara in pitta associated diseases of vata. The milk processed with dashamula is indicated for therapeutic streaming overhead in headache due to vitiated vata dosha (vatika shirobhitapa). [A. Hri. Uttara Sthana 24/3]

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As the name suggests, medicated or non-medicated milk is advised for shirodhara in [[Pitta dosha|pitta]] associated diseases of [[Vata dosha|vata]]. The milk processed with dashamula is indicated for therapeutic streaming overhead in headache due to vitiated [[Vata dosha|vata dosha]] (vatika shirobhitapa). [A. Hri. Uttara Sthana 24/3]

=== Kwathadhara (therapeutic streaming of decoction) ===

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Here, the liquid used is decoction (kwatha) which pacifies both vata and kapha (vata kapha shamana). In vatarakta associated with burning sensation, boiled and cooled decoction of jivaniya group of drugs is advised for therapeutic streaming. [Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 29/126]

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Here, the liquid used is decoction (kwatha) which pacifies both [[Vata dosha|vata]] and kapha ([[Vata dosha|vata]] kapha shamana). In vatarakta associated with burning sensation, boiled and cooled decoction of jivaniya group of drugs is advised for therapeutic streaming. [Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 29/126]

=== Jaladhara (therapeutic streaming of water) ===

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Even the use of mere cold water can give benefits of the shirodhara procedure in the case of paithika rogas (diseases having origin from pitta dosha). Therapeutic streaming of cold water (shita jala) is indicated for bleeding hemorrhoids. [Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 14/218]

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Even the use of mere cold water can give benefits of the shirodhara procedure in the case of paithika rogas (diseases having origin from [[Pitta dosha|pitta dosha]]). Therapeutic streaming of cold water (shita jala) is indicated for bleeding hemorrhoids. [Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 14/218]

== Types of shirodhara based on reusage.<ref name="ref1">Pavana Jayaram, Manoj Sankaranarayana, Dharakalpa, Karaliya cikitsa padhati. Kanyakumari.Ayurvedic Educational &Charitable trust.</ref> ==

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<li>Suppurations in the scalp</li>

<li>Ulcerations of the scalp</li>

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<li>Burning sensation [A. Hri. Sutra Sthana 22/25] </li>

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<li>Burning sensation [A. Hri. [[Sutra Sthana|Sutra Sthana]] 22/25] </li>

<li>The diseases affecting the upper parts of the body (neurological diseases).</li>

<li>stress, psychic and psychosomatic diseases like psychosis, neurosis, epilepsy, irritable bowel syndrome.</li>

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<ul style="text-align:justify;"><li>Shirodhara is not indicated in diseases arising out of dominance of kapha dosha.</li>

<li>It is not advised during extreme hot and cold seasons.</li>

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<li>It is not advised at the time of mild increase of doshas.</li>

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<li>It is not advised at the time of mild increase of [[Dosha|doshas]].</li>

<li>Contraindicated at noon and midnight.</li>

<li>It is also prohibited on poor sunny days.</li></ul>

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|Cold water/milk

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|Vata pittottara

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|Vata pittottara

|Ghee

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!'''Indicated dhara dravya'''

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|Kevala vata

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|Kevala vata

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|Chatusneha (oil, ghee, muscle fat, bone marrow)

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|Chatusneha (oil, [[Ghee|ghee]], muscle fat, bone marrow)

|-

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|Pitta or rakta pradhana vyadhi or raktapitta associated with vata or kapha

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|[[Pitta dosha|Pitta]] or rakta pradhana vyadhi or raktapitta associated with [[Vata dosha|vata]] or kapha

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|oil and ghee in equal proportion

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|oil and [[Ghee|ghee]] in equal proportion

|-

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|Kapha associated with vata

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|Kapha associated with [[Vata dosha|vata]]

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|Oil (2 parts) + ghee (1 part)

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|Oil (2 parts) + [[Ghee|ghee]] (1 part)

|-

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|Pitta

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|[[Pitta dosha|Pitta]]

|Different types of milk

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!'''Duration'''

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|Ruksha/Pitta associated vata diseases

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|Ruksha/[[Pitta dosha|Pitta]] associated [[Vata dosha|vata]] diseases

|96 minutes

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== Post therapeutic diet. ==

<ul style="text-align:justify;"><li>Water boiled with coriander and dry ginger.</li>

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<li>Hot butter milk processed with spices, ghee and soup of pulses should be given to drink.</li>

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<li>Hot butter milk processed with spices, [[Ghee|ghee]] and soup of pulses should be given to drink.</li>

<li>Light to digest in restricted quantity is advised.</li>

<li>Also, the diet and regimen advised during internal oleation (snehapana) must be followed.</li></ul>

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== Importance in preservation of health and prevention ==

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Shirodhara with medicated oil and ghee enhances:<ref name="ref1" />

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Shirodhara with medicated oil and [[Ghee|ghee]] enhances:<ref name="ref1" />

<ul style="text-align:justify;"><li>The stability of mind and speech</li>

<li>Strength of the body</li>

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