Changes

Shirodhara (view source)

Revision as of 11:06, 29 November 2023

54 bytes removed , 11:06, 29 November 2023

m

no edit summary

Line 9: Line 9:

|type=article

}}

−

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.

+

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 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 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.

{{Infobox

|title = Contributors

Line 34: Line 34:

== Synonyms ==

−

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

+

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

== Classification ==

Line 68: Line 68:

!'''Reusage'''

|-

−

|~~Uthama~~

+

|Uttama

|fresh sneha each day

|-

Line 83: Line 83:

<li>Suppurations in the scalp</li>

<li>Ulcerations of the scalp</li>

−

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

+

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

−

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

+

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

−

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

+

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

<li>Insomnia </li>

−

<li>Generalized anxiety disorders.</li>

+

<li>Generalized anxiety disorders</li>

<li>Addition disorders like [[Madatyaya Chikitsa|alcoholism]]</li>

−

<li>Excess sweating, hypertension.</li>

+

<li>Excess sweating, hypertension</li>

<li>Syncope</li>

−

<li>Exhaustion without exertion.</li>

+

<li>Exhaustion without exertion</li>

<li>Loss of [[Chetana|consciousness]]</li>

<li>Enlargement of glands</li>

<li>Diabetes</li>

<li>Autoimmune skin diseases like psoriasis, dandruff, and chronic eczema.<ref name="ref4">Dr Vasant C Patil, Principles and Practice of Panchakarma.1st ed. Ilkal,Bagalkot.Atreya Ayurveda publications.2010.p.161</ref></li></ul>

−

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

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

Line 164: Line 162:

|[[Ghee|Ghee]]

|-

−

|~~Vathadhika~~, arumshika

+

|Vatadhika, arumshika

|Sesame oil

|}

Line 298: Line 296:

<li>Softness of skin</li>

<li>Sharpness of vision</li>

−

<li>Nourishment of shukra</li>

+

<li>Nourishment of [[Shukra dhatu|shukra]]</li>

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

−

<li>Induces good sleep. </li>

+

<li>Induces good sleep </li>

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

Line 306: Line 304:

<ul style="text-align:justify;"><li>Medicated streaming with unctuous substances (snehadhara) can pacify the [[Vyadhi|diseases]] arising out of [[Tridosha|tridosha]].</li>

<li>Streaming with milk (ksheeradhara) can cure insanity, epilepsy, sleeplessness, burning sensation of head and tension headache.</li>

−

<li>Takradhara can pacify headache, reverse the ~~ojakshaya~~, pacify pricking pain over palms and feet, urinary tract diseases, [[Vyadhi|diseases]] involving head, eyes, and ears.<ref name="ref1" /> </li></ul>

+

<li>Takradhara can pacify headache, reverse the [[Ojas|oja]] kshaya, pacify pricking pain over palms and feet, urinary tract diseases, [[Vyadhi|diseases]] involving head, eyes, and ears.<ref name="ref1" /> </li></ul>

== Mode of action of shirodhara ==

Line 325: Line 323:

== Effect on shukravrita vata ==

−

There were 48 patients who completed the course of trial with 16 patients in each of the 3 groups. Subjects in Group A were treated with placebo, subjects in Group B were treated with Rasayana Yoga (6 gm/day) and subjects in Group C were treated with shirodhara(7 days) and Rasayana yoga. Psychological counseling was given to subjects in all the 3 groups that underwent treatment for a duration of 4 weeks. From the overall effect of therapy, it was gauged that though all the 3. groups showed improvement the maximum improvement was in group C which has combined shirodhara where 10.5% were cured and 79% markedly improved whereas in the other 2 groups. Nobody was cured and only 56.2% markedly improved in group B and none in group A. Thus, it was concluded that ~~Ŝirodhāra~~ with Rasayana Yoga is most effective in the treatment of shukra avrita vata and could even cure the [[Vyadhi|disease]].<ref name="ref11">Basil Cardozo (2006), A Clinical Study On Psycho-Somatic Management Of Shukravrita Vata (Premature Ejaculation) With Rasayana Yoga And Shirodhara.Department of Kayachikitsa, ITRA,Jamnagar</ref>

+

There were 48 patients who completed the course of trial with 16 patients in each of the 3 groups. Subjects in Group A were treated with placebo, subjects in Group B were treated with Rasayana Yoga (6 gm/day) and subjects in Group C were treated with shirodhara(7 days) and Rasayana yoga. Psychological counseling was given to subjects in all the 3 groups that underwent treatment for a duration of 4 weeks. From the overall effect of therapy, it was gauged that though all the 3. groups showed improvement the maximum improvement was in group C which has combined shirodhara where 10.5% were cured and 79% markedly improved whereas in the other 2 groups. Nobody was cured and only 56.2% markedly improved in group B and none in group A. Thus, it was concluded that shirodhara with Rasayana Yoga is most effective in the treatment of shukra avrita vata and could even cure the [[Vyadhi|disease]].<ref name="ref11">Basil Cardozo (2006), A Clinical Study On Psycho-Somatic Management Of Shukravrita Vata (Premature Ejaculation) With Rasayana Yoga And Shirodhara.Department of Kayachikitsa, ITRA,Jamnagar</ref>

== Current research ==

−

Shirodhara has anxiolytic and ASC-inducing effects, and it promotes a decrease of noradrenaline and exhibits a sympatholytic effect, resulting in the activation of peripheral foot skin circulation and immunopotentiation.<ref name="ref12">Uebaba K, Xu FH, Ogawa H, Tatsuse T et al. Psychoneuroimmunologic effects of Ayurvedic oil-dripping treatment. J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Dec;14(10):1189-98. doi: 10.1089/acm.2008.0273.PMID: 19123874.</ref> A pilot study involving twenty participants concluded that the shirodhara with sesame oil improved the sleep quality measured by PSQI score and the score was lower as compared to the scores of shirodhara with warm water after 2 weeks and 6 weeks follow up. Whereas the shirodhara with sesame oil showed improvement with more score on quality of life as compared with shirodhara with warm water. <ref name="ref13">Akiko Tokinobu, Takashi Yorifuji, Toshihide Tsuda et al. Effects of Ayurvedic Oil-Dripping Treatment with Sesame Oil vs. with Warm Water on Sleep: A Randomized Single-Blinded Crossover Pilot Study. J Altern Complement Med. 2016 Jan 1; 22(1): 52–58.doi: 10.1089/acm.2015.0018 PMID: 26669255</ref> In a study conducted among sixteen healthy volunteers on shirodhara using oil containing Centella asiatica (Brahmi), [[Jatamansi|Nardostachys jatamansi (jatamansi)]], and [[Ashwagandha|Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha)]] in a proportion of 10 mg of aqueous extract of each/ 100 mL of sesame oil, EEG showed an increase in the alfa rhythm after shirodhara. A decrease of beta activity was observed in two subjects, while one subject showed an increase in the central theta activity. The EEG changes are like those observed after deep meditation and alert relaxation. The V.A.S. score and M.A.S. score for stress and mood changed significantly. <ref name="ref14">Kalpana D. Dhuri, Prashant V. Bodhe, Ashok B. Vaidya. Shirodhara: A psycho-physiological profile in healthy volunteers. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2013 Jan-Mar; 4(1): 40–44.doi: 10.4103/0975-9476.109550 PMID: 23741161</ref> In a comparative clinical study containing two groups involving forty-seven participants, one group has undergone shirodhara and other group had given sarpagandha vati for the management of hypertension. The results in the shirodhara group were better than those in the sarpagandha group. Although both sarpagandha vati and shirodhara helped in reducing systolic and diastolic pressures, the effect of shirodhara was more marked. <ref name="ref15">Chittaranjan Kundu, V. D. Shukla, M. A. Santwani, M.D.et al. The role of psychic factors in pathogenesis of essential hypertension and its management by Shirodhara and Sarpagandha Vati. Ayu. 2010 Oct-Dec; 31(4): 436–441.doi: 10.4103/0974-8520.82035 PMID: 22048535</ref> The comparative study between jatamansi taila dhara group and jaladhara group among thirty-one participants having insomnia have showed good improvement in both groups whereas a better improvement in jatamansi taila group for the chief complaints.<ref name="ref16">Chinmay P Joshi. Comparative study on the effect of Sneha Dhara & Jala Dhara in Anidra (Insomnia). ijam.co.in</ref> In a similar comparative clinical trial involving 137 participants the comparison between the tailadhara group and jaladhara group also revealed that symptoms like insomnia, anxiety etc. were completely relieved by shirodhara. In brief psychiatric rating scale statistically results of the dhara group are highly significant. Tailadhara provided better relief in all most all the symptoms of stress and in brief psychiatric rating scale compared to jaladhara.<ref name="ref17">Tank, N. G. (2015). A Comparative Clinical Study of Jaladhara and Taildhara in the Management of Stress. International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.47552/ijam.v6i1.532</ref>

+

Shirodhara has anxiolytic and ASC-inducing effects, and it promotes a decrease of noradrenaline and exhibits a sympatholytic effect, resulting in the activation of peripheral foot skin circulation and immunopotentiation.<ref name="ref12">Uebaba K, Xu FH, Ogawa H, Tatsuse T et al. Psychoneuroimmunologic effects of Ayurvedic oil-dripping treatment. J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Dec;14(10):1189-98. doi: 10.1089/acm.2008.0273.PMID: 19123874.</ref> A pilot study involving twenty participants concluded that the shirodhara with sesame oil improved the sleep quality measured by PSQI score and the score was lower as compared to the scores of shirodhara with warm water after 2 weeks and 6 weeks follow up. Whereas the shirodhara with sesame oil showed improvement with more score on quality of life as compared with shirodhara with warm water. <ref name="ref13">Akiko Tokinobu, Takashi Yorifuji, Toshihide Tsuda et al. Effects of Ayurvedic Oil-Dripping Treatment with Sesame Oil vs. with Warm Water on Sleep: A Randomized Single-Blinded Crossover Pilot Study. J Altern Complement Med. 2016 Jan 1; 22(1): 52–58.doi: 10.1089/acm.2015.0018 PMID: 26669255</ref> In a study conducted among sixteen healthy volunteers on shirodhara using oil containing Centella asiatica (Brahmi), [[Jatamansi|Nardostachys jatamansi (jatamansi)]], and [[Ashwagandha|Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha)]] in a proportion of 10 mg of aqueous extract of each/100 mL of sesame oil, EEG showed an increase in the alfa rhythm after shirodhara. A decrease of beta activity was observed in two subjects, while one subject showed an increase in the central theta activity. The EEG changes are like those observed after deep meditation and alert relaxation. The V.A.S. score and M.A.S. score for stress and mood changed significantly.<ref name="ref14">Kalpana D. Dhuri, Prashant V. Bodhe, Ashok B. Vaidya. Shirodhara: A psycho-physiological profile in healthy volunteers. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2013 Jan-Mar; 4(1): 40–44.doi: 10.4103/0975-9476.109550 PMID: 23741161</ref> In a comparative clinical study containing two groups involving forty-seven participants, one group has undergone shirodhara and other group had given sarpagandha vati for the management of hypertension. The results in the shirodhara group were better than those in the sarpagandha group. Although both sarpagandha vati and shirodhara helped in reducing systolic and diastolic pressures, the effect of shirodhara was more marked. <ref name="ref15">Chittaranjan Kundu, V. D. Shukla, M. A. Santwani, M.D.et al. The role of psychic factors in pathogenesis of essential hypertension and its management by Shirodhara and Sarpagandha Vati. Ayu. 2010 Oct-Dec; 31(4): 436–441.doi: 10.4103/0974-8520.82035 PMID: 22048535</ref> The comparative study between jatamansi taila dhara group and jaladhara group among thirty-one participants having insomnia have showed good improvement in both groups whereas a better improvement in jatamansi taila group for the chief complaints.<ref name="ref16">Chinmay P Joshi. Comparative study on the effect of Sneha Dhara & Jala Dhara in Anidra (Insomnia). ijam.co.in</ref> In a similar comparative clinical trial involving 137 participants the comparison between the tailadhara group and jaladhara group also revealed that symptoms like insomnia, anxiety etc. were completely relieved by shirodhara. In brief psychiatric rating scale statistically results of the dhara group are highly significant. Tailadhara provided better relief in all most all the symptoms of stress and in brief psychiatric rating scale compared to jaladhara.<ref name="ref17">Tank, N. G. (2015). A Comparative Clinical Study of Jaladhara and Taildhara in the Management of Stress. International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.47552/ijam.v6i1.532</ref>

Agnivesha

Administrators, Editors, Bots, Bureaucrats, Charaksamhita, Moderators (CommentStreams), Interface administrators, Administrators

10,141

edits