Shirodhara (Fluid Pouring on Forehead)

• Warm medicated oil, herbal decoction or milk, selected based on the patient’s condition is used.
• Ears and eyes are protected by placing aromatic cotton pads and earbuds to prevent liquid from entering.
• The warm liquid is gently poured over the patient’s forehead, esuring a consistent height and steady flow.
• Afterwards, the head and neck are gently massaged, and excess oil is squeezed out of the hair for a calming and soothing effect.
• Before or after receiving Shirodhara, you receive a little head massage. While herbal oils are mostly used, buttermilk, decoctions, or even water might be used to pour over the head during a Shirodhara session.

While receiving Shirodhara, your blood flow to your brain can be increased by stimulating acupressure sites on your head. Massaging the head, helps the oil penetrate deeper into the scalp, where it can have a calming effect on the nerves that run down the forehead’s inner edge. In addition to the massage itself, the therapy’s use of heated herbal oil produces dilatation of the blood vessels, which in turn increases blood flow and reduces blood pressure. The hypothalamus, which controls the pituitary gland, can relax with Shirodhara. Stress chemicals such as noradrenaline, adrenaline, and serotonin are lowered. This is why it is so helpful for combatting insomnia. Shirodhara is also effective in treating psychosomatic conditions like stress, depression, and anxiety.

Since the head is the only region of the body with many sensitive nerve endings or important spots directly related to the brain, oils soaked with various herbs or herbal components are typically sprinkled on the forehead and head. Several spiritual works of literature identify the forehead’s center as the ‘third eye,’ connected to the pineal gland through a network of veins and arteries. This is known as the ‘Agnya chakra’ (=6th chakra) in Yogic teachings. Meditation with closed eyelids and attention on the Agnya chakra produces a state of psychosomatic balance.

Dripping oil in a steady flow on the agnya chakra induces a meditative state, which triggers an adaptive reaction to baseline stress, much like one experiences during meditation. Oil rubbed into the scalp and forehead penetrates the skull and reaches the brain and spinal cord. The complete process facilitates a deep state of relaxation for both the mind and body, analogous to immediately after meditation.

The duration will typically be 60 minutes per session.

• for stress relief and relaxation: once a week or every two weeks
• for chronic conditions (e.g., anxiety, insomnia, headaches): daily, or 3–5 times a week for a few weeks, based on an Ayurvedic practitioner’s recommendation
• for maintenance and overall well-being: once a month or as needed

Shirodhara should not be done in the following conditions:

• Women at the last stage of pregnancy
• During day 1-4 of the menstrual cycle
• People having allergic reaction towards oil
• People suffering from nausea, vomiting, fever, fatigue or excessive sweating conditions
• People suffering from a neck injury, brain tumor, or have cuts or abrasions on the forehead

Although Shirodhara being the ultimate restorative and regenerative therapy, has no recorded side effects, proper precautions should be taken so that the oil does not enter the eyes or ears during the process. In certain extreme cases, it might cause contraindications like dizziness, conjunctivitis, glaucoma, inflammatory diseases, allergy or fever.