Shirodhara

Shirodhara involves gently pouring herbal oil or decoction over ajna chakra on the forehead (the 'third eye'). Used in sukhachikitsa (restorative therapy) as part of Panchakarma. Complmentary to Cranio Sacral Therapy, Shirodhara assists in treating eye diseases, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, greying of hair, neurological disorders, memory loss, insomnia, hearing impairment, tinnitus, vertigo, and neuro-muscular disorders.

There are specialized forms of shirodhara called tailadhara (herbal oil), ksheeradhara (herbal milk decoction), takradhara (Buttermilk with essential oils) and jaladhara (lukewarm water kept in the sun with essential oils of sandalwood, patchouli and rose.)

Shirodhara has been used to treat a variety of conditions including eye diseases, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, greying of hair, neurological disorders, memory loss, insomnia, hearing impairment, tinnitus, vertigo, Ménière's disease and certain types of skin diseases like psoriasis. It is also used non-medicinally at spas for its relaxing properties.

There are specialized forms of shirodhara called thyladhara, ksheeradhara, thakradhara and jaladhara.