Shirobhyanga is the procedure in which smearing of Taila followed by massage by specific maneuvers.

• Ref General Requirements SOP
• Taila-100-150ml
• Towel -1
• Vessel-2
• Hot water bath -1

Manpower

• Therapist-1
• Physician -1

Preparation of tray

• Take a clean tray.
• Put towel, oil in bowl.

Preparation of patient

• Check vitals.
• Jeernahara lakshana assessed.
• Vegotsarga

• Patient is asked to sit comfortably in a knee-high chair.
• Taila for Shirobhyanga is made lukewarm using a hot water bath.
• Temperature of the taila is checked by pouring it over the dorsum of hand.
• The oil is then poured on the hands of the therapist.
• Then it is spread all over the head including the neck and the ear pinna with the palmar surface of hands.
• Moving the palms from before backwards.

Massage from before backwards (Gharshana Hasta):

• Massage the whole head, by moving the palmar surface of the hand from before backwards applying gentle as well as firm pressure.
• Thus, the complete area of the scalp is massaged including vertex, temporal and occipital portions of the head.

Picking strokes (Mridvanguli Tadana):

• Fingers are partially approximated, and then gently and firmly placed on the scalp.
• This is followed by withdrawing the fingers in an attempt to approximate the fingers, simultaneously effecting rubbing of the scalp.
• Each area of the head is similarly treated.

Flat palm strokes (Dvihasta Tadana)

• Gentle strokes are placed with the palmar surface on the scalp by both hands either simultaneously or alternatively.
• Strokes are placed on the vertex, occipital and temporal region.

Rocking strokes (Taranga Hasta)

• Gentle strokes are placed on the head by rapid rocking movement of both the palms simultaneously.
• Only the base of little finger and thumb comes in contact with the patient’s head while placing the stroke.

Finger strokes (Anguli Kridana Hasta)

• Gentle strokes are placed on the head by making rocking movement of both the palms with its fingers stretched.
• Only the palmar aspect of the little finger and thumb will touch the scalp while stroking.

Fist strokes (Mridu Mushti Tadana)

• Gentle strokes are placed on all areas of the head with the closed fist through the ulnar border.
• Initially the strokes are placed with both the hands simultaneously, followed by placing the strokes alternatively with right and left fist.

Squeeze strokes

• Grasping tuft of hairs followed by gentle squeeze, producing comfortable traction on the hair.
• Every part of the scalp is treated in this way.
• This stroke cannot be performed in trimmed hair or if suffering from baldness.

Pressing (Ghatita Hasta)

• Flat of the palm is placed on the head.
• And is moulded into the shape of the scalp so that every portion of the palmar aspect of the palm and fingers comes in contact with the head.
• This is followed by exerting gentle and firm pressure on the head.
• Each area of the head is similarly treated.

Ear Massage

• Ear pinna is grasped between the thumb anteriorly and the other fingers posteriorly.
• Then the pinna is rubbed between the fingers.
• Further, supporting the pinna with the fingers posteriorly, thumb is firmly moved above downwards in the anterior of the ear pinna.

• Wipe the head with towel.
• Patient is asked to take rest.
• Patient is asked to take bath with warm water
• Apply rasnadi churnam after bath.

• Each form of stroke is continued for about 4 to 5 minutes.

• Anxiety
• Stress
• Hairfall
• Dandruff
• Itchiness in scalp
• Dryness in scalp

• Kaphaja diseases
• After samyak shodana
• Indigestion

• Avoid massage in tender areas.
• Do not overheat the oil for shirobhyanga.
• Hands of the therapist should be devoid of any cracks or fissures.

• Sneezing and rhinitis- Talam with Rasnadi choorna and Jambeera swarasa, dhoomapana with Haridra dhooma varti .