Shirodhara: For carrying out Shirodhara – dhara on the forehead, a droni alone is not enough. A structure similar to a drip stand is used to suspend the vessel that holds the dhara fluid . A vessel with a hole at the bottom is used. For a gentle, continuous flow, a small made of the shell of a coconut to which a cotton wick has been tied, is fixed inside, The wick, which hangs down through the hole at the bottom, guides the flow.
To begin with, some oil suited to the patient's dosha condition is applied on the crown. This is a prerequisite in almost all oil treatments. A headband (vartti) is tied just above the ear level to prevent oil from flowing into the eyes. The patient is then made to lie on his back on the droni with the head rested properly. The position of the head should be such that the steam from the vessel falls at the center of the forehead.
The therapist then fills the vessel. When the oil that trickles down the wick starts to fall on the patient's forehead, the therapist moves the vessel to and fro gently to ensure that the oil covers the entire region between the temples which he gently massages the area with his other hand. The duration of a dhara is usually between 25 and 75 minutes. However, if the disease is very severe, it may take longer, a dhara is generally good for diseases due to a disorder of the tridosha.
Herbal oil, tender coconut water milk, ghee, dhanyamlam (a mixture of cereals and citrus fruits) or buttermilk may be used for various kinds of dharas. The treatment is indicated for insanity .severe illnesses due to disorder of the vata, chronic cold, sinusitits, diseases of the eys, ears and so on.
Abhyanga: ‘Abhyanga' means ‘Oil massage'. While a person may perform Abhyanga on his own as part of his daily routine, trained masseurs are required to perform this therapy when it is used for disease management.
In Abhyanga, medicated oil is massaged all over the body. The Abhyanga that is part of the daily routine lasts for five to fifteen minutes where as that which is performed for treating diseases may take about 45 minutes. Massages in Abhyanga can be effectively done with two therapists working on either side of the patient who lies on the droni. The droni is the wooden bed on which the patient is made to lie while undergoing treatment. Special care is to be taken for padabhyanga or foot massage.
The marmas or vital points on the soles of the feet are closely related with certain internal organs. The sole of the right foot is massaged in clockwise movement and the left foot in anti clockwise. The patient reclines in seven standard positions. This begins with the person seated in an upright position, supine or flat on the back, turning to the right side, supine again, turning to the left side, supine once again, and finally sitting as in the beginning. Sometimes the position of lying face down is also adopted.
Ilakkizhi: “Patram” and “lla” means leaf. “ Kizhi ” means bundle “Ilakkizhi ” or “ Patrasweda” is a kind of sudation therapy using herbal leaves. Leaves of Arka (Calotropis gigantea), Karanja (Pongamia glabra), Dhatura (Datura metel) and so on are chopped and mixed with grated coconut, mustard and rock salt The proportion of the ingredients varies according to the symptoms of the disease. The mixture is warmed in a pan smeared with coconut oil and then tied up in linen bundles to be used for fomentation. Prior to fomentation.
Oil is applied to the crown. As sudation is the primary aim of fomentation, the kizhi have to be kept at a constant high temperature by warming them every now and then. In rheumatic pains and associated swelling of the joints, fomentation and massage with Ilakkizhi (bundles containing leaves) bring relief.
Ksheeradhara: Dhara with medicated milk is called Ksheeradhara. Usually cow's milk but sometimes buffalo's milk is used. Decoctions of various herbs are added to the milk. Ksheeradhara my be either for the head alone –Shirodhara. Or for the whole body except the head- Sarvangadhara. A Sravanga Ksheeradhra is usually prescribed for diseases caused by disorders of the Pitta .
As a first step, a suitable type of oil is applied on the head. At least three attendants, two to pour the fluid and another to refill the vessels are required. The treatment is conducted while the patient goes through the standard seven positions. A nozzled pitcher is ideal for pouring the milk. Shirovasti: Shirovasti is considered more of a palliative (Shamana ) treatment that an eliminative (Shodhana) one. The treatment is usually preceded by oleation ( Sheehan ) and sudation.
A leather sleeve of about six to eight inches in length is placed on the shaven head of the patient and a ban (varti) tied around the forehead to keep in place. Kneaded dough is used to line the inside of this sleeve and ensure that it does not leak. Oil is then poured into the sleeve and allowed to remain on the head for a while. The oil commonly used is Ksheerabala or Dhanwantaram, The length of time the oil should be kept there is determined by the severity of the disease. Usually it is up to fifty minutes for diseases caused by severe Vata disorders.
This treatment is prescribed for disorders like facial paralysis, cataract, deafness, earache, insomnia and other diseases that afflict the cranial nerves. Patient is seated in an upright position, and medicinal oil is poured into a leather sleeve of about six to eight inches in length, and kept for some time. Shirodhara: For carrying out Shirodhara – dhara on the forehead, a droni alone is not enough.
A structure similar to a drip stand is used to suspend the vessel that holds the dhara fluid . A vessel with a hole at the bottom is used. For a gentle, continuous flow, a small made of the shell of a coconut to which a cotton wick has been tied, is fixed inside, The wick, which hangs down through the hole at the bottom, guides the flow. To begin with, some oil suited to the patient's dosha condition is applied on the crown.
This is a prerequisite in almost all oil treatments. A headband (vartti) is tied just above the ear level to prevent oil from flowing into the eyes. The patient is then made to lie on his back on the droni with the head rested properly. The position of the head should be such that the steam from the vessel falls at the center of the forehead. The therapist then fills the vessel. When the oil that trickles down the wick starts to fall on the patient's forehead, the therapist moves the vessel to and fro gently to ensure that the oil covers the entire region between the temples which he gently massages the area with his other hand.