
Shiro
means head and dhara means to flow. Shirodhara involves gently pouring
liquids over the forehead, more specifically stated- on the third eye.
It is the chakra point just above and between the eyebrows which is said to
be the seat of human consciousness. The liquids used in shirodhara can
include oil, milk, buttermilk, coconut water, or even plain water according
to the various treatments for different benefits.
Shirodhara is used to treat various
diseases including eye
diseases, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, greying of hair, neurological
disorders, memory loss, insomnia, hearing impairment, tinnitus, vertigo, Ménière's
disease and certain skin diseases such as psoriasis. These days, shirodhara
is mostly used non-medicinally at spas for its relaxing properties. The
person wanting shirodhara is made to lie on his/her back and head is
positioned under a metal bottle with a slow-flowing spout from which the
oils streams gently onto the forehead. It has amazing quality of gently
releasing stress and tension from the mind and body.