ŚIROLEPA

Introduction:

            Application of medicated paste over the head completely covering the scalp is called śirolepa.

Method:

Pūrvakarma:

• Preparation of medicine: 1 kudava(192gm) dry āmalaki without seed is boiled with 2 kudava of takra. Boil till the water gets evaporated.
• Preparation of patient: Śiro abhyaṅga should be done.

Pradhāna karma:

• The prepared medicine should be first applied at the center of the head, then over the front, sides and back of the head.
• Thickness: 1 aṅgula
• The head should be covered with banana leaf or lotus leaf.
• Duration: 1 ½ hours or 48 minutes.

Paścāt karma:

• At the end of the procedure the lepa is wiped off and śiro abhyaṅga can be done.

Benefit:

            Beneficial in क्लम, अपचि and it increases दृष्टिबल, it gives सुख निद्रा.

TALAM

Talam is the method of application of medicine over the centre of the head.

Indication ( keraliya cikitsā paddhati)

• Ardita
• Kāmala
• Vātarakta
• Vātaja śiraśūla
• Pittaja śiraśūla
• Viṣūcikā

TAKRADHĀRA

• Takra dhāra is a procedure of continuous pouring of medicated takra over the forehead or other body parts by using a dhāra pātra for a specific period of time in a specified manner.

Pūrva karma

1. Sambhāra sangraha

Materials required

1. Abhyaṅga droṇi
2. Dhāra stand
3. Dhāra pātra ( metal / earthern pot)
4. Vessels – 2 for exchanging the takra during the procedure and 2 vessels for preparation of medicated takra
5. Heat source
6. Cotton pads
7. Small pillow for neck support
8. Therapist-1

1. Ātura parīkṣā

• Yogya and ayogya
• Aṣṭavidha and daśavidha parīkṣā

1. Preparation of the takra ( Keraliya cikitsā paddhati)

Materials required

• Dried āmalaki – 1^1/4 praṣṭa 960 gm
• Jala – 18 kudava ( 3456 ml)
• Amla takra
• Preparation of takra

1. 960gm of dried āmalaki dried in sun and air for a period of one year has to be taken.
2. Āmalaki is put into a vessel with 18 kudava (3456ml) of water and is boiled and reduced to 1/6 th part i.e. 576ml.
3. To this prepared kaṣāya equal quantity of amla takra is added and strained to obtain the takra.

• Preparation of the patient

1. Patient can be advised to trim or shave his head before the procedure.
2. Śodhana in the form of vamana or virecana can be done.
3. On the day of procedure patient is made to lie down on the abhyaṅga table on supine position with head resting on the head end of the droṇi table.
4. A small pillow can be placed beneath the neck of the patient as a support.
5. Cotton pad are placed on the eyes and cotton ribbon is tied over the forehead upon the eyebrows.
6. Swasthivacana and prayer to lord dhanvantari is done
7. Dhāra pātra hanging on the dhāra stand is placed at the head end of the abhyaṅga table.
8. The dhāra pātra has to be placed 4 aṅgula above the patient’s forehead.

Pradhāna karma

• The prepared medicated buttermilk is made indirect warm by placing over a hot water bath and is poured into the dhāra pātra by closing the hole of the dhāra pātra with a finger.
• The finger is removed from the hole and takra starts flowing with a steady and continuous flow over the forehead.
• The dhāra pātra is oscillated constantly and steadily in to and fro fashion over the head covering the forehead from one lateral to other.
• The liquid flows to the head side of the table and has to be collected into a vessel placed under the table.
• The collected liquid has to be mixed with warm liquid and is poured into the dhāra pātra and empty vessel is kept under the table.
• Same procedure is continued for a desirable period.

Paścāt karma

• The hole of the dhāra pātra has to be closed and the dhāra stand is moved apart.
• The patient’s forehead and scalp is wiped and cleaned.
• Patient is asked to rest on abhyaṅga table for some time.
• Note – Takra has to be prepared fresh every day and cannot be reused and has to be discarded.

Indication

अरूंषिकाशिरस्तोददाहपाकव्रणेषु तु।

 परिषेक:……….॥ (A.H.Su 22/25)