Calms the Mind & Nervous System
Warmed oil falls onto the forehead and scalp during shirodhara. The mind and nervous system are primarily affected, as the oil falls onto the Ajna Marma, the point on the forehead considered in Ayurveda to have the highest concentration of nerves in the body.
- relieves tension
- dispels worry
- reduces anxiety
- calms fear
- renews the nervous system
- relieves chronic headaches
Eliminates Insomnia
Shirodhara stimulates the pineal gland which produces the hormone melatonin. Melatonin regulates the wake/sleep cycles of the body. From the view of Ayurveda, shirodhara lowers the Vata dosha, the fundamental principle that comprises the air and space elements in the body. When one's Vata dosha is out of balance, one may experience insomnia, anxiety, fear and insecurity.
- Promotes sound sleep.
- Increases melatonin.
Reduces Stress
In the Spring 1995 issue of the journal of The Ayurvedic Institute, 'Ayurveda Today', Ayurvedic practitioner Ed Danaher explains how shirodhara affects stress.
Stress, according to Ayurveda, is a state of imbalance of prana vayu, sadaka pitta, and tarpaka kapha. Shirodhara reestablishes the functional integrity between these three doshic subtypes and thus helps alleviate stress.
- Helps overcome stress and its ill effects on the nervous system.
- Gives great mental relaxation.
- Removes positive ions that collect at the base of the hairline and scalp.
Increases Energy
- Relieves fatigue.
- Renews and reinvigorates the body.
- Enhances immunity.
Improves Mood
- Regulates mood and depression disorders.
- Produces feelings of relaxation and pleasure.
Promotes Beauty
Shirodhara acts as a natural face-lift and nourishes the hair and scalp.
- Promotes deep relaxation for the mind and body.
- Rejuvenates the entire face.
- Softens worry-lines.
- Conditions the hair.
- Promotes hair growth by cooling the body system and relieving stress.
Expands Consciousness
The experience of shirodhara:
- Heightens the senses.
- Increases intuition.
- Stimulates the third-eye.
- Enables the natural expansion of consciousness
....may also relieve:
- anger
- hypertension
- asthma
"One who applies oil on his head regularly does not suffer from headache, baldness, graying of hair, nor does his hair fall. Strength of his head and forehead is especially enhanced; his hair becomes black, long and deep-rooted; his sense organs work properly; the skin of his face becomes brightened; applying oil on the head produces sound sleep and happiness."
Ayurvedic physician Charaka, in the first text on Ayurveda, written over 2,000 years ago.
