Shirodhara is the procedure in which liquid medicaments like thaila/ksheera/kashaya is poured in a continuous stream of flow on the forehead in oscillating manner.

• Ref General Requirements SOP 
• Liquid Medicaments like Taila/ Ksheera/ Kashaya -1.5litres
• Dhara stand-1
• Dhara patra -1
• Cotton ear plugs- 2
• Gauze-1
• Head band- 1
• Eye pad -1
• Soft towel- 2
• Hot water bath -1
• Vessels-3

Manpower

• Therapists -2
• Physician -1

Preparation of tray

• Take a clean tray.
• Put langotti, towel, eye pad, head band, gauze, cotton ear plugs.

Preparation of patient

• Check vitals.
• Jeernahara lakshana assessed.
• Vegotsarga

• Patient is asked to sit comfortably over the droni with legs extended.
• Ear plugs are kept on both ears.
• Gauze is tied around the head above the eyebrows of the patient.
• Both the eyes are covered with an eye pad.
• Patient is asked to lie in supine position.
• Dhara patra hanged on the dhara stand is fixed 4 angulas above the level of forehead.

• The Taila for Shirodhara is made lukewarm using a hot water bath.
• Temperature of the medicine is checked by pouring it over the dorsum of hand.
• Ensure the knob of dharapatra is closed.
• The lukewarm taila is poured into the dhara patra.
• The knob is slowly opened to get a continuous stream of flow.
• The dharapatra is oscillated in a to and fro motion covering the whole forehead.
• The head of the patient is simultaneously massaged at frequent intervals.
• Uniform temperature is maintained throughout the procedure by refilling it with lukewarm oil.
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• The Nozzle is closed and dharapatra is removed
• Earplugs, Gauze and eye pad are removed and the head is wiped with a towel.
• Patient is asked to take hot shower after resting for a while .
• Rasnadi churna is applied over vertex after bath .
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• 45 mints -1 hour.

• Insomnia
• Headache
• Anxiety
• Mental stress
• Cerebrovascular disorders
• Psychological disorders
• Eye diseases of neurological origin

• Glaucoma
• Conjunctivitis
• Fever
• Inflammatory conditions of head.

• During the procedure eyes are well protected and covered to avoid leakage of medicated liquid into eyes.
• The height of the dhara patra should not be more than 4 Angula above the level of forehead.
• Oscillation of the dhara patra should be neither too fast nor too slow.
• Also the stream of flow should not go beyond the temporal region on both sides.

• If the dhara is done from more height, very fast or very slow, then it may produce murccha, shoola, chardi, raktapitta and jwara.
• For these dhara doshas, treatments like gandusha, nasya, sunti kashayapana etc can be done.
• Yusha with black pepper can be administered.
• On the third day basti should be given.