Ayurvedic Shirodhara Treatment: Ayurveda, known as the science of life, originated thousands of years ago as a result of the search for a healthy and prolonged life by the ancient sages. The focus of Ayurveda is on maintaining balance in the body, mind, and spirit, which is believed to prevent illness and promote overall well-being.
The Ayurvedic approach for treating any condition mainly includes diet & nutrition, lifestyle changes, herbal prescription and herbal oil, and heat manual therapies. Moreover, Ayurvedic treatments have three-fold aspects: rational treatments, both internal and external, counselling (mind therapy) and spiritual treatments. The foundation of a healthy lifestyle is based on daily regimens (dinacharya), seasonal regimens (ritu charya) and righteous behaviour (dharmacarya).
What is Ayurvedic Shirodhara?
Shirodhara is an external rational treatment that has profound effects externally, internally, mentally and spiritually. ‘Shiro’ means head and ‘dhara’ means pouring or dripping. Therefore, it involves gently pouring a steady stream of warm herbal oil or other liquids such as milk or buttermilk on the forehead, particularly over the “third eye” (ajna chakra) area.
The process begins with a thorough consultation and examination by a qualified Ayurveda physician to assess mainly the below aspects and understand the client in detail.
1. Prakrti – This refers to a person’s unique body constitution, determined by the balance of the three doshas (vital factors governing the physiological functions of the body; vata, pitta and kapha). Understanding an individual’s prakriti helps in creating personalised treatments.
2. Agni – The state of digestive and metabolic capacity of the individual. And also, the state of the presence of ‘Ama’ (the undigested food or metabolic substances working as toxins). If any such ama is present and the agni is weak, this should be dealt with first as preparation for the Shirodhara treatment.
3. Dhatu – The condition of the tissue elements, the gross tissues and their nutritional state.
4. Srotas – The circulation of macro and micro channels that are transporting various body fluids, nutrients, hormones and immunoglobulins.
5. Ojas – The essence of the vital nutrients and the power against ageing, decay and disease known as ojas is the healing power.
6. Vikrti – Understanding of the presence of any disease condition. Shirodhara is indicated for some disease conditions while it is contraindicated for some disease conditions.
7. Mind – The assessment of the state of the mind, prana (the life energy) and chakra (life energy centres) needs to be assessed, especially to understand the levels of stress, anxiety and mental status.
The Science behind Shirodhara according to Ayurveda
Shirodhara is firstly one of the treatments known as ‘Sneha karma’ (oil treatment). Oil lubricates the tissues when we consider superficially about it. The mechanism of action of Shirodhara is a complex one, including the pharmacological effect of the herbal oil, massage, effects on the energy points (chakra) and the person entering into a passive meditative state.
Biochemically and physiologically, the areas of the brain—the amygdala, hypothalamus, and pituitary—will be affected to calm down and balance the adverse effects of stress. Furthermore, Shirodhara promotes the secretion of ‘happy hormone’, serotonin. As a result, this procedure induces a relaxed state of awareness that leads to a dynamic psycho-somatic balance. Yes, Shirodhara treatment is often considered worth trying for those dealing with stress and anxiety. It involves gently pouring a steady stream of warm herbal oil (or other liquids) on the forehead, particularly over the “third eye” area. This treatment is based on ancient Ayurveda principles aimed at balancing the doshas (bodily energies) and promoting relaxation.
In a randomised control trial (RCT) published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2018) assessed Shirodhara’s effectiveness in reducing stress among healthcare workers. Participants who underwent Shirodhara treatments demonstrated lower levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) compared to those in the control group. This suggests that Shirodhara could significantly lower physiological markers of stress. Several studies have explored the benefits of Shirodhara in improving sleep quality and managing insomnia.
A clinical study published in the International Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy (2012) explored the effects of Shirodhara on patients suffering from insomnia. The results showed a marked improvement in sleep quality, and the participants reported feeling more relaxed and less anxious after a course of 7–14 days of treatment. The effect was attributed to the calming impact of the warm oil on the mind and body, which induces a meditative state. Another trial in 2017 focused on the role of Shirodhara in regulating neuroendocrine factors linked to sleep disorders. This study found that Shirodhara may influence serotonin and melatonin levels, hormones that regulate mood and sleep-wake cycles. Regular Shirodhara therapy showed promise in helping patients fall asleep more easily and maintain sleep throughout the night. Shirodhara is also being explored for its effects on hypertension, as chronic stress is a well-known risk factor for high blood pressure.
A study in the Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge (2016) investigated Shirodhara’s effect on patients with mild to moderate hypertension. After undergoing Shirodhara treatments, patients experienced a statistically significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The results were attributed to the relaxation response triggered by the rhythmic and continuous flow of warm oil, which helps reduce vascular resistance and lower blood pressure. Preliminary research also points to Shirodhara’s potential in enhancing cognitive function, particularly in improving memory and concentration.
A 2019 study looked at Shirodhara’s potential in improving cognitive functions in elderly patients. The researchers observed improvements in short-term memory and attention span after a month of treatment. They proposed that the therapy might enhance cerebral blood flow, positively affecting brain function and neuroplasticity.
Conclusion:
Research evidence supports the benefits of Shirodhara, particularly in the treatment of anxiety, stress, insomnia, and hypertension. While more robust clinical trials are needed to further substantiate these findings and explore mechanisms, the existing studies suggest that Shirodhara could be a promising adjunct treatment in the management of psychosomatic conditions.
Ready to relieve stress and anxiety with a soothing Shirodhara treatment? Call us at 020-4515-0000 or book your session now!
About the reviewer
Dr Palitha Serasinghe – PhD
is a Ayurveda Consultant and
Physician with over
forty years of experience
References:
1. Raghuraj P, Telles S. Shirodhara: An Ayurvedic Approach to Treat Anxiety and Its Implications for Modern Psychiatry. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 2013.
2. Bharati A. Effects of Shirodhara on Cortisol and Stress Levels in Health Workers. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2018.
3. Sharma H, Chandola H. Shirodhara in the Treatment of Insomnia: A Clinical Study. International Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy, 2012.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.7453/gahmj.2012.086
4. Desai R, Tiwari A. Effect of Shirodhara on Neuroendocrine Factors in Patients with Insomnia. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 2017.
5. Kumar A. Shirodhara as a Complementary Therapy in Hypertension Management. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 2016.
6. Joshi M, Prabhakar A. Cognitive Function Enhancement through Shirodhara in Elderly Patients. International Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2019.
7. Rajkumar M, Parashar M. Shirodhara’s Antidepressant Effects: A Controlled Study. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 2015.
