Shirodhara is an extensive therapy performed in a purpose-built setting using specialised techniques and ingredients by an experienced practitioner to maximise the health benefits. Shirodhara is an Ayurvedic practice that has many calming and therapeutic effects on the mind and body. It is a more relaxed, therapeutic head massage experience which offers immense mental as well as physical benefits to the person.
The therapeutic effects of head and hair massage help to induce a pleasure that helps you to forget your worldly worries and will help you to drift away to sleep more quickly and faster. It is a more relaxed and therapeutic head massage experience that offers immense mental and physical benefits, so if you have had a head massage before and enjoyed it then Shirodhara along with its therapeutic and curative nature is even better.
In this Ayurvedic therapy, the person receiving the treatment lies down on the Shirodhara table facing up and to help them relax a gentle head massage is given using warm oil to stimulate the nerves. Then the Shirodhara treatment begins by pouring medicated oil over the forehead from a certain height which lightly flows around the forehead and down into the scalp, which is then gently massaged into the skin by the practitioner. This is done for anything up to an hour in a quiet and comfortable environment and the answer is yes, it is as calming and relaxing just as it sounds. At the end of the Shirodhara another light head massage is given.
While a regular head massage may induce sleep and relaxation and strengthen the hair follicles, the benefits of Shirodhara go above and beyond. Shirodhara is a divine process that helps improve blood circulation, exfoliate dead skin, relieve stress, pacify elevated doshas, transport lymphatic fluids, help purge toxins, reduce mental fatigue and improve brain function.
How it Works
When the medicated oil or any herbal decoction is poured over the forehead, it creates a soothing sensation. This sensation goes to the hypothalamus (a structure deep in the brain) via the peripheral nerves. Its main function is to keep your body in a stable state called homoeostasis. It does its job by directly influencing your autonomic nervous system or by managing hormones. Hypothalamus is responsible for inhibiting or releasing the hormones in response to physical or emotional stimuli. As a result, the secondary hormones throughout the body become active and they then trigger a suitable response. Shirodhara can help regulate these hormones and bring balance to your mind and body. It can help relieve stress, promote restful sleep and calm down an agitated mind. In addition, using warm medicated oil will dilate the blood vessels and improve blood circulation thereby enhancing brain function and reducing mental fatigue.
Shirodhara also regulates the level of serotonin in your body. Serotonin is a good hormone that helps stabilise your mood and make you feel grounded but abnormally high serotonin levels in the body do the opposite. High serotonin levels are characterised by profuse sweating, shivering, restlessness, the sensation of diarrhoea to name a few. Shirodhara is a potent therapy for promoting calmness and overcoming chronic stress. So if you feel stressed out, information overload, burnt out or overwhelmed due to work pressure or struggling to deal with a personal loss, Shirodhara therapy can soothe your nerves and help you find peace.
Pacifies Elevated Vata Dosha
Vata dosha is characterised by the elements air and ether and when in excess due to a compromised Agni (gut fire) the Vata dosha can lead to various health concerns like cracking joints, anxiety, constipation, insomnia, and digestive disorders. Shirodhara can help to pacify the Vata dosha and get you back to a creative, joyful and connected state of mind.
Improves Sleep
Ask yourself, when was the last time you had a proper deep sleep and if you can’t remember then it will normally be due to an overactive mind or a neurological condition. Shirodhara is a sleep-inducing therapy, but this doesn’t necessarily mean it will send you off to sleep just like that as Shirodhara therapy works in a sustainable manner while it relaxes the nerves, and calms the mind which in turn will improve your nights sleep.
Activates Intuition
Shirodhara therapy is believed to open the Third Eye, resulting in a heightened sense of mindfulness or awakeness, this can be defined as a spiritual awakening. It is a complete awareness that enables a person to observe any past trauma and painful experiences from a different perspective which was not accessible to them previously. Tapping into a different vantage point gives them mental clarity and the will power to move forward in life.
Improves Cognitive Abilities
The benefits of Shirodhara for the brain are multiple and due to the oils used they include enhanced cognitive abilities. The oils used for Shirodhara contain antioxidants, flavonoids, and neuro-protective elements that increase brain function. Neuroprotection refers to the mechanisms employed to defend the central nervous system (CNS) against injury and chronic neurodegenerative disorders like Dementia, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Epilepsy etc. The treatment is said to boost memory ability, alertness, and the ability to focus more clearly so is a great therapy for the older generation who are often at risk of memory loss.
Reduces Stress
Normal Head massage reduces stress and clears up your mind so you can think and perform better. However, Shirodhara works at a deeper level and when performed regularly can reduce stress and overcome past traumas frustrations and family disputes. So when things around you get a little chaotic or messy Shirodhara is an excellent therapy and escape to tranquillity.
Benefits for Eyes
Shirodhara can help soothe your eyes as a result of extended screen time and provide them with some “time out” from the strain.