SHIRODHARA FROM SAMHITA-UNDERSTANDING &APPLICATION

Shirodhara is a procedure where medicated oil or liquid is poured over the forehead in a to-and-fro motion uniformly. This procedure is widely used in Ayurveda for many psychic and psychosomatic diseases, as well as sleep disorders or diseases related to the head or eyes. In the Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthana, Acharya Vaghbhata in Gandushadi Vidhi Adhyaya mentions Murdha Taila (application of oil on the head), which includes Abhyanga, Parishek (Shirodhara), Pichu, and Shirobasti, which are superior to one another in their succeeding order. There is a proper procedure for Shirodhara, which includes three steps: Purvakarma (preop), Pradhankarma (operative), Paschat karma (post-operative)