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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|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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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 dosha|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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== Etymology and derivation ==

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The word shirodhara comprises two words viz shiras and dhara. ‘Shiras’ means head and ‘dhara’ means pouring liquids on the body (seka). The word dhara comes from the Sanskrit root ‘dhr’ (dhr +nich+ang) which means falling of liquid.<ref name="ref3">Raja Radhakanthadeva Bahadur, Sabdakalpadruma,edited by Varadaprasadavasu.2nd edition. Delhi. Naga publishers. 2003.Volume 2, p-795.</ref> Thus, shirodhara is pouring liquid on the head.

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The word shirodhara comprises two words viz shiras and dhara. ‘Shiras’ means head and ‘dhara’ means pouring liquids on the [[Sharira|body]] (seka). The word dhara comes from the Sanskrit root ‘dhr’ (dhr +nich+ang) which means falling of liquid.<ref name="ref3">Raja Radhakanthadeva Bahadur, Sabdakalpadruma,edited by Varadaprasadavasu.2nd edition. Delhi. Naga publishers. 2003.Volume 2, p-795.</ref> Thus, shirodhara is pouring liquid on the head.

== Synonyms ==

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

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

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

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

<li>Kwatha dhara (therapeutic streaming of decoction)</li>

<li>Jala dhara (therapeutic streaming of water)</li></ol>

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

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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|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|kapha dosha]]) in nature. Taila(oil) is the best medicine for [[Vata dosha|vata]]. [Cha.Sa. [[Siddhi Sthana|Siddhi Sthana]] 1/29]. Udumbaradi siddha taila is mentioned for therapeutic streaming in the management of bleeding disorders ([[Raktapitta|raktapitta]]) [Cha.Sa. [[Chikitsa Sthana|Chikitsa Sthana]] 6/105]

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

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=== 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 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]

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Here medicated takra (butter milk) is used for shirodhara. It is indicated in diseases having [[Kapha dosha|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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=== Kwathadhara (therapeutic streaming of decoction) ===

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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|Chikitsa Sthana]] 29/126]

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Here, the liquid used is decoction (kwatha) which pacifies both [[Vata dosha|vata]] and [[Kapha dosha|kapha]] ([[Vata dosha|vata]] [[Kapha dosha|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|Chikitsa Sthana]] 29/126]

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

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== Indications of shirodhara in general ==

<ul style="text-align:justify;"><li>Headache (tension headache and migraine)</li>

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<li>Wounds especially affecting the upper part of the body above the clavicle (urdhva jatru).</li>

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<li>Wounds especially affecting the upper part of the [[Sharira|body]] above the clavicle (urdhva jatru).</li>

<li>Suppurations in the scalp</li>

<li>Ulcerations of the scalp</li>

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

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

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

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

<li>Insomnia </li>

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== Contra indications of shirodhara<ref name="ref1" /> ==

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

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

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

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

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

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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|ghee]] in equal proportion

|-

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

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

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

|-

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|96 minutes

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|Snigdha/kapha associated

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|Snigdha/kapha associated

|72 minutes

|}

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<li>Cold water sprinkled over the face and mouth is washed.</li>

<li>The patient should sit in a place devoid of wind but having breeze.</li>

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<li>Gentle tapping over the body and anoint with perfumes after having bath with lukewarm water.</li></ul>

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<li>Gentle tapping over the [[Sharira|body]] and anoint with perfumes after having bath with lukewarm water.</li></ul>

== Post therapeutic diet. ==

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<li>Joint dislocations (sandhidalana) by excess streaming of unctuous substances.</li>

<li>Vomiting (chhardi) may be induced by application of unctuous streaming during impaired digestion.</li>

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<li>Bleeding disorder (raktapitta) may be produced by streaming oils having excessive hot and sharp potency and excess sudation.</li>

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<li>Bleeding disorder ([[Raktapitta|raktapitta]]) may be produced by streaming oils having excessive hot and sharp potency and excess sudation.</li>

<li>Hyperpyrexia (jwara) by application of unctuous streaming during impaired digestion.</li>

<li>Urticaria (kotha) may be produced due to excess sudation (atisweda). </li></ul>

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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>

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<li>Strength of the body</li>

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<li>Strength of the [[Sharira|body]]</li>

<li>Increases retaining power of mind.</li>

<li>Gentleness of voice</li>

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<li>Sharpness of vision</li>

<li>Nourishment of shukra</li>

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<li>Reduces excess body warming.</li>

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<li>Reduces excess [[Sharira|body]] warming.</li>

<li>Induces good sleep. </li>

<li>Takradhara can prevent premature greying of hair.</li></ul>

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