Shirodhara massage
Shirodhara massage is a traditional Ayurvedic practice performed on the forehead and other parts of the body, using herbal oils. Its origin is described in Sanskrit texts of traditional Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions, and other regional languages in India. It is one of the eight classical Ayurvedic head techniques, a major head massage
As opposed to the common massage, in which the hands are used, in Shirodhara, the forehead, brows, nose, and ears are targeted for massaging. The Shiro means "thousand" in Sanskrit and it refers to the thousand nerve fibers that run through the forehead, which is the highest in the human body, with many of them in the head. It is a very important part of the human body because it is the first area of contact with the external world and serves a multitude of:
- Psychological;
- Emotional;
- Physical functions.
Description
Shirodhara is a traditional Ayurvedic massage performed on the forehead, brows, nose, and ears. It is one of the eight classical head techniques. This is a major head rubbing as the forehead is the highest part of the head and it has an energy center, called Aagneya Darpana. The nerve fibers in the scalp run all the way to the brain.
This practice is considered to be one of the highly efficacious and highly recommended therapies in Ayurveda. Massage is given to all patients regardless of their health status. It is said that technique helps improve the immune system and helps increase the body's strength. Shirodhara can be done on children, for children are believed to get the most benefit from it.
Rasayana or 'life-renewing' herbs are the herbal agents of therapy in traditional medicine. In ancient times, Ayurveda practitioners would recommend herbs for healthy living. Ayurveda considers life-force, called Prana or 'breath' as the most potent component of the body. In traditional medicine, the most potent of Ayurveda's eight classical head massages are Shirodhara because it has an influence on prana flow. In traditional medicine, when there is an excess or improper flow of prana, there can be problems with:
- Sleep;
- Depression;
- Anxiety;
- Panic attacks;
- Depression;
- Lethargy;
- Lack of concentration;
- Impotence, and many other mental health problems.
History
Shirodhara massage is an ancient Ayurvedic art practiced in India for thousands of years.
It is described in the Charaka Samhita (600 B.C.) and Sushruta Samhita (350 B.C.). This technique is said to have been taught to Lord Ganesha by Bhagavan (Brahma, Visnu, Siva, Krishna, Shiva) himself. The texts were written to describe and teach the art of the massage. The method of healing and maintaining health using herbs and natural minerals is taught in the Charaka Samhita, which was written in 600 B.C. The text is the first pharmacopeia in the world and a classical Ayurvedic text. Shirodhara was a major part of Charaka's ayurvedic medicine. It is written in the 8th chapter of the text and the title of the chapter is Charaka Shirodhara.
The 100 sun-ray messages were said to be discovered in an ancient temple where sage Gautam had meditated and gained knowledge, the Siddha Sharangadhara. In that ancient temple, one of the seven Siddha was Sharangadhara. In the temple he was said to have discovered a method of applying the herbal oils to the forehead and face area, using his hands and fingers. Sharangadhara applied herbal oils for the purpose of healing various ailments and problems.
In the text, the ancient medicine, the author recommends the application of natural oil using the forehead and nose area. Natural oil can be the normal type of oil that is used for normal massage and Ayurvedic therapy, which includes Shirodhara. However, it is said that if it is not in accordance with the classical text, it will not be effective.
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