Shirodhara

Pouring of medicated oils on the fore head is called as Shirodhara. It is one among the four types of Murdhni taila procedures. Moordnitaila means application of medicated oils over the head in different forms.



Indications:

This Shirodhara is indicated in the diseases like, Anxiety Neurosis, other psychological illness, sleeplessness, hypertension, paralysis, pre mature graying of hair and pre mature baldness, stress related conditions.



Procedure:

Prepare the vessel required for the procedure of dhara, it is called as Dharapatra. Ask the patient to lie down on supine position. Close the eyes with the bandage cloth. Take the medicated oils like Hiamasagara taila, Ksheerabala taila or Brihat masha taila etc in side the vessel. Start pouring the oil from 4 inch height. The same temperature and same force should be maintained throughout the procedure. It should be conducted up to 53 min for 7 consecutive days.

Shirobasti

Keeping the medicated oil over the head for a specific time is called as shirobasti. Shirobasti is indicated in neurological disorders like, Paralysis, Loss of sensation, Bells palsy and Insomnia.

Procedure:

Take leather sheet or Rexin sheet with the measurement of 2 ft length and 1 ft height. Prepare the paste of flour of black gram. Take 2 strips of cloth of 2 meter length and 3 inch width.  Smear the paste to the 2 edges of sheet and for 2 stripes of cloth. Fix the sheet over the head like a cap. Fill the gap with dough. Pour the luke warm oil in to the cap. Do the procedure for 53 min and for 7 consecutive days.


Udvarthana

It is a type of dry massage. Doing the massage with medicinal powers is called as Udwarthana. This is indicated in Kapha and Vata disorders. And also it gives the complexion to the skin. It is one of the cosmetic therapies. It is indicated in the diseases like Obesity, Diabetes Mellitus, and Vericocoty etc.

Ask the patient to lie down in supine position over the massage table. Take the udvarthana powder and heat it gently. Start doing the massage with gentle pressure. The same pressure should be maintained through out the procedure. Do the procedure for 30 minutes in both positions. Then give the steam bath and send the patient for hot water bath. Care should be taken to avoid abrasions which are common while doing the Udvarthana. One course includes 7 days.


Bhashpa Sweda

It is procedure of hot fomentation to whole body. A steam bath chamber (as shown in figure) is required for the purpose. This hot fomentation is indicated in all sorts of diseases caused by Vata. E.g.: Body pains (bodyacahe), paralysis, skin disorders, for the relaxation of the muscles, and for rejuvenation.

The Kashaya prepared with Dashamoola drugs to be kept inside the steam producing unit. The steam outlet will be connected to the steam bath chamber. The patient or individual after oliation made to lie down in steam chamber keeping head out. The cardiac area and genital are to be protected with water soaked gauge or lotus petal. The patient should be there in steam chamber till he gets sweating. The procedure may be repeated depending on the requirement.