Shirodhara

Shirodhara -The name shirodhara has been derived from Sanskrit words “Shira” and “ Dhara”, meaning “head” and “flow” respectively. During this form of Ayurvedic Massage, the main focus is on the centre  of the forehead that is considered to be the third eye. Special liquids made from Ayurvedic herbs are used in this massage, which are directly poured over the third eye or the forehead. It is effective in curing sinusitis, eye diseases, greying of hair, insomnia, allergic rhinitis, tinnitus, stress and various skin diseases including psoriasis.

How it Works

The technique used during this massage therapy is dated back to centuries. The third eye area that is the centre of the forehead is the main focus point where the liquids are poured at a particular temperature from a specific height during the Shirodhara Therapy.  The flow of these medicated oils which is recurring and continuous that gives result to a very relaxing experience and leaves the person in the state of meditation. 

The duration of the entire process is around thirty to thirty five minutes.The Ayurvedic head massage is given post to the Shirodhara therapy. Specific marma points are being worked during this therapy in order to soothe the nervous system.

Benefits of Shirodhara

The shirodhara therapy helps in stabilising the nervous system, and helps to overcome depression and stress. If  done skillfully, this therapy helps in the treatment of insomnia, anxiety and muscular stress. It is very applicable if regulating hormonal imbalance and helping  the issues caused during the pre and post menopause. It relieves tiredness and mental fatigue.

How often should one have Shirodhara?

How often Shirodhara treatment should be given depends upon the condition of the individual. It could be determined by observing the sternness of the ailment. During the entire therapy the individual getting the therapy is made to lie down on the massage table and herb oils or sesame is poured on the forehead for about twenty to forty minutes. It is best to get this therapy in the morning. For severe diseases multiple sessions of this treatment are required but for conditions like insomnia which are less severe, treatment can be restricted to a couple of sessions.

Shirodhara is a deeply relaxing therapeutic treatment.

Oil Pulling An Ayurveda technique to improve gum health and whiten teeth.

Most adults have some symptoms of gum disease, even if just mildly. There is a huge market in the business of teeth whitening. A lot of money is spent on over-the-counter teeth whitening products annually. So what if you could whiten your teeth and kill cavity and disease-causing bacteria at the same time? You'd sign up straight away, we all would. That's the theory behind the practice of oil pulling; rinsing your mouth with oil daily will give you: whiter teeth, a healthier mouth and a healthier body.

Despite what's trending on the Internet, oil pulling isn't new; it's actually part of the tradition of Ayurvedic medicine. Unlike the Western style of medicine most of us are accustomed to, Ayurveda follows a more holistic approach to healing the body, tailoring remedies for your body type and constitution and generally focusing on preventing disease. It's been practiced for more than 5,000 years in India. 

Using oils on and in the body is not an unusual practice in Ayurvedic medicine; oils are used as part of a daily routine called dinacharya (as a part of daily morning massage, as well as a remedy for sore joints or irritated skin). So it's not a surprise to find traditional Ayurvedic writings mention swishing or retaining oil in your mouth practices called Kavala Graha and Gandusha  as a way to prevent oral health problems such as bad breath (halitosis), cavities and gum disease (gingivitis). Kavala Graha and Gandusha differ slightly, but they're considering gargling methods rather than pulling. Gandusha involves filling your mouth with oil and holding it there for 3 minutes before spitting. Kavala Graha involves swishing with oil for 3 minutes before gargling and spitting.

You can use organic sesame seed oil, coconut oil or sunflower oil.

Oil pulling requires only a tablespoon of oil and 20 minutes of your time. The idea is to suck – or pull the oil between your teeth while you rinse with it. Spit out the leftover oil, it will turn white and slightly foamy into the bin (don't spit oil in the sink) rinse and check out those pearly whites.

Patients with greater numbers of bad bacteria in their mouths are more likely to be diagnosed with atherosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries, in the neck -source: Griffin. And it's not just heart health that's affected. Limited studies have found an association between the number of teeth you've lost and your risk of developing certain cancers: Gum disease is associated with a 30 % greater risk of blood cancers, a 49% greater risk of kidney cancer and a 54 % greater risk of pancreatic cancer in adult men -source: American Academy of Periodontology.