Shirodhara Ayurveda has got a lot of special techniques, many of which are unique, of healing.
Apart from the extolled methods of five purificatory procedures called Panchakarma, the repository of Ayurveda has many other
tools, which heals the mind and body alike. The vaidyas of Kerala who were experts of systematic traditional Ayurveda have
done a great deal of contribution in the development of these therapeutic techniques. Kerala was very rich in its flora, and
naturally a system like Ayurveda that utilise herbs as the main resource, got fertile soil for development here in the south-most
state of the country. The socio-cultural background was also conducive for the spontaneous growth of this system. Even now
authentic ayurvedic treatment is a trademark of Kerala in the international level.
Shirodhara in its systematic form can be considered as a contribution of the legendary practitioners of Kerala.
This procedure is widely used by the vaidyas of Kerala as an effective tool for the treatment of many diseases and also an
attractive item in the menu for the so-called sukhachikitsa. Because of its tremendous power for soothe and lull a stressful
mind and body, it is widely (?mis)used by parlours and massage centres to satisfy corporate clients. Interestingly, the business
brochures of almost all commercial ayurvedic centres invariably carry a photograph of a beautiful woman, clad in minimal attires,
her eyes half-closed in the pleasure and luxury of the medicated oil streaming on to her forehead. The word ‘Shirodhara’
has two parts: shiras means the head, and dhara, means continuous flow. Shirodhara is a therapeutic procedure in which medicated
liquid- oil, milk, buttermilk, tender coconut water, or even plain water- is allowed to fall on to the forehead of an individual
in a limited and moderated flow for a stipulated time. This is done with a special type of instrumental setting.
Shirodhara is a method having a wide range of therapeutic indications. Eye diseases, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis,
greying of hair, loss of memory, neurological disorders, memory loss, insomnia (loss of sleep), hearing impairment, tinnitus,
vertigo, Ménière's disease, certain types of skin diseases like psoriasis etc are a few of the targets of properly done shirodhara.
The liquid used for dhara varies according to the purpose. And the naming becomes more specific like thyladhara, ksheeradhara,
thakradhara and jaladhara.
