If you constantly suffer from headaches, insomnia, migraines, hypertension and visual problems, Sirovasti Ayurvedic therapy can be of great help.
Treatment and care of the head, the most vital part of our body, has always remained a top priority in Ayurveda. The head is one of the most influential parts of the body and not just because it is where the brain resides.
Sirovasti ayurvedic therapy, also known as Siro Basti, is an Ayurvedic treatment that focuses on the head. It is generally used to treat disorders of the nervous system.
The head is a storehouse of crucial nerves and sensory organs that are connected to other major organs of the body and determine how an individual feels overall.
Whatever the ailment is, providing care to the head will definitely help you move towards healing.
Sirovasti ayurvedic therapy also treats diseases of the head, nose, ear and eye such as dryness of the throat and nostrils, headaches migraines, cataracts and so on.
It is also referred to as the crown of calm as the open headed cap used for sirovasti ayurvedic therapy often looks like a crown.
Sirovasti ayurvedic therapy is an excellent way of improving your physical and mental health and strengthening your immunity. The word ‘siro’ means head or oil and the word ‘vasti’ means container.
The process of Sirovasti ayurvedic therapy involves applying warm herbal oil to a person’s head for a specific period of time.
What is Sirovasti Ayurvedic Therapy?
The process of Sirovasti ayurvedic therapy is deceptively simple. The individual seeking therapy is made to sit on a stool and relax their nerves for as long as is possible.
The ayurvedic doctor or technician may help you with this process by providing a relaxing massage.
Then, an open headed cap made of several rolls of cloth is wrapped around the individual’s head like a bandage or a crown. The head bandage is sealed with a black gram paste leaving the top open like a funnel.
This ensures that the bandage or cap is sealed completely tight and will be able to hold the oils near the scalp. A longer leather cap that is open on both ends is placed atop this bandage.
Herbal oils are poured into this cap and onto the body of the individual undergoing therapy followed by an intensive massage.
This massage focuses on the pulse points in order to improve circulation and promote the absorption of the oils into the body and to increase the speed at which they are absorbed.
The oils are then allowed to soak into the skull for 15 minutes to an hour depending on the ailment that is being treated and the body type of the individual.
It cannot go on for longer than an hour as it will thereafter be difficult to maintain the ideal temperature of the oils and the individual’s body. Throughout the procedure, care will be taken to ensure that the individual’s hands and feet are kept warm.
Once finished, the head is wiped clean with a cotton cloth and the excess oil is drained. The process is repeated multiple times and the person in question is given a warm body bath afterwards.
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Which Oils are the best For Sirovasti?
The oils used in Sirovasti ayurvedic therapy are boiled and prepared in order to derive maximum medicinal properties from their usage.
The herbal oil is generally a mixture of gingelly oil, castor oil, sesame oil, milk, ghee, medicinal herbs like winter cherry, bala, black gram and bacopa and other herbal extracts.
The oils are also prepared after a careful study of the individual and the symptoms. Each concoction used for Sirovasti ayurvedic therapy is unique and customized to an individual’s needs.
Health Benefits Of Sirovasti Therapy
Sirovasti ayurvedic therapy lengthens the lifespan of cells, improves immunity, and boosts metabolism. It can also have a positive impact on the treatment of mental disorders such as depression.
The application of warm oil to the scalp soothes the nerve endings and the central and autonomous nervous systems. The brain, the peripheral nerves and spinal cord all reap the benefits of this treatment.
Sirovasti also promotes mental calmness and brings clarity to your thoughts. It provides nourishment to the brain and helps treat mental disorders. It is particularly effective for disorders of the nervous systems like hemiplegia and quadriplegia.
It also reduces hair fall and treats common problems like dandruff, dry scalp and unhealthy hair and improves memory.
It treats and prevents psychosomatic diseases, weak nerves and spondylitis. It is also recommended to treat facial paralysis. It is also helpful when dealing with insomnia, eye disorders especially vision problems and sinusitis, and hearing impairment.
It is a recommended treatment for people dealing with nerve disorders, stress and recovering from strokes.
Duration of Sirovasti Procedure
A single session can last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour depending on the individual’s body type, their ailment and so on.
However, multiple sessions are usually performed over a week for the most effective results. It can also be extended up to 2 weeks in case of more severe health problems.
The main aim of the treatment is to balance your doshas and treat problems that have occurred due to an imbalance of the doshas.
Therefore, the duration also depends on the dosha constitution of the individual. 50 minutes are preferred for vata whereas the duration is generally 40 minutes for piita and can be as little as half an hour for kapha.
In today’s world, when stress and depression are among the most common ailments found in people, natural treatments like sirovasti ayurvedic therapy are invaluable.
This practice rejuvenates the mind, relieves stress and soothes nerves and relaxes the patient all without introducing medicines during its course.
It is a traditional and natural way of healing that is recommended for everyone whether they are undergoing an ailment or not.
Spend a week or more on Sirovasti ayurvedic Therapy to achieve total wellness.
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