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We are all familiar with headaches, anxiety, sleep problems and fatigue. Stress and other everyday pressures are often the trigger. This makes it all the more important that you consciously take the time to focus entirely on your own well-being.
In this article, we present one of the most well-known oil applications (snehana) in Ayurveda: Shirodhara. This treatment, which has been practised for thousands of years, helps people to reduce stress, clear their minds and harmonise body and mind. We reveal how Ayurvedic forehead oil treatment works, exactly how it works and what conditions it can help you with.
1. What is Shirodhara? – Definition of Shirodhara
The term Shirodhara comes from ancient Indian Sanskrit, where Shiro means ‘head’ and dhara means ‘river’.
Shirodhara is one of the oldest forms of Ayurvedic treatment, where hot oil enriched with herbs is poured over the forehead for 20-50 minutes. Typical applications are headaches, migraines, stress, sleep disorders, depression and other mental illnesses. But it is also popular to pour oil over the forehead for pure relaxation.
2. Oil against the forehead in Ayurveda – the importance of the forehead chakra
In Ayurveda, the so-called third eye is believed to be located between the eyebrows and the hairline. This point is considered to be the seat of our brow chakra (Ajna), one of seven energy centres (marmas) in our body. The brow chakra is said to be linked to our intuition, imagination and self-perception.
The enormous thought processes that our brain carries out every day, the constant exchange of information between the neurons there and external factors such as excessive stress can lead to the forehead chakra becoming increasingly blocked over time. A blocked brow chakra can lead to problems such as sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, inner restlessness and mental fatigue.
3. The effect of Shirodhara
This is exactly where Shirodhara comes in. By applying the warm oil directly to this point, our brow chakra is stimulated to increase energy flow and cell renewal. This is intended to activate the body’s self-healing powers and support stress reduction.
According to Indian medicine, this simultaneously helps to improve concentration and intuition, relaxes the head muscles and improves blood circulation in the brow region. The treatment thus brings a sense of deep relaxation and new clarity.
4.1. Effect of oil applied on the forehead in Ayurvedic treatments
Ayurveda aromatherapy massage, female hand pouring aromatic oil in an essential oil diffuser
Oil plays an important role in Ayurvedic medicine, both in nutrition and in therapeutic applications and for relaxation. The use of the so-called liquid gold has a long tradition, and not only in Ayurveda. Already in ancient times, oils were used by the ancient Greeks and Romans for a variety of medicinal purposes.
4.2. These oils are used in Shirodhara
Ayurvedic ‘forehead rinsing’, or shirodhara, usually involves the use of warm oils harmonised with the doshas and enriched with an individual blend of herbs. Base oils commonly used are:
- Sesame oil: valued for its warming properties and its ability to penetrate deep into the skin. It is often used to balance the Vata dosha.
- Coconut oil: Cooling and soothing, ideal for pitta dosha and for use in warmer climates or when the body is overheated.
- Sunflower oil: This light and neutral oil is ideal for all doshas and is often used as a base for medicinal herb oils.
- Medicinal herbal oils: Oils such as Brahmi oil or Ashwagandha oil are often enriched to achieve specific therapeutic effects, e.g. calming the nervous system or promoting concentration.
5. The procedure – how does a Shirodhara treatment work?
Shirodhara is often performed in combination with a face and head massage or an Abhyanga massage to intensify the healing effect. Abhyanga is a full body oil massage performed before the Shirodhara treatment to prepare the body, relax the muscles and promote blood circulation. By combining the two treatments, the body is optimally relaxed and regeneration is promoted.
After the optional Abhyanga massage, you will lie on your back on a treatment table at the beginning of the Shirodhara treatment. To protect the eyes and ears, cloths, compresses, cotton pads and eye pillows are often used.
The Ayurveda therapist now pours the oil into the funnel-shaped so-called Dhara vessel above your head, which is applied to your head and forehead via a cotton wick, spaced 8 to 10 centimetres apart. The application to the forehead can either be done statically or the Ayurveda therapist moves the vessel in slow, flowing cycles. The flow is completed after about 20 to a maximum of 50 minutes.
6. Possible side effects of Shirodhara
Shirodhara is generally considered a safe treatment method with no side effects. However, care should be taken to ensure that the oil is at a comfortable temperature, evenly distributed and the environment is calm and relaxed.
For people with low blood pressure, a vigorous Ayurvedic full body massage should be performed before the forehead massage, as Shirodhara is thought to lower blood pressure.
There are also some acute medical conditions where Shirodhara treatment is not recommended. These include:
- Injuries to the neck
- Scrapes or cuts on the head
- Fever or chills
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness and circulation problems
7. Shirodhara at home: Do It Yourself
Ayurvedic oil treatment of the forehead can also be performed at home, but with certain limitations. Firstly, you need the right Shirodhara accessories, such as the Shirodhara stand and the pot or funnel for the oil. Secondly, you need another person to take care of the oil so that you can lie down and relax. When using the oil at home, there is also a risk of stimulating the wrong points and not being able to fully utilise the potential of the treatment.
We recommend that Shirodhara be performed by a trained Ayurvedic therapist. To get a first impression of the soothing forehead treatment with warm oil, you can also warm an oil of your choice in your hands and gently massage your forehead.
8. Enjoy Shirodhara!
Experience the profound effect of Shirodhara for yourself and leave the stress of everyday life behind. This treatment is particularly beneficial as part of an Ayurveda cure, as it not only harmonises the brow chakra but also renews the body and mind in a holistic way in combination with other Ayurvedic treatments. You can browse through our Ayurveda offers here:
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