Effects of Ayurvedic Oil-Dripping Treatment with Sesame Oil vs. with Warm Water on Sleep: A Randomized Single-Blinded Crossover Pilot Study

Impact of Shirodhara on biological markers of stress: A case study

The unforgiving pace and complexity of modern life has greatly challenged our ability to live healthier and fully in the present moment. Industrialization, globalization, and competition in each sector lead to emotional stress and strain in life which is dangerous at the physical and mental levels. As per the classics of Ayurveda, chinta (stress) and atichintan (overthinking) are the causes of Rasavaha srotodushti which lead to many diseases. Shirodhara is an important healing technique of Ayurveda that has neuro-immuno-physio-psychological effects on the human body. Several studies have been carried out to evaluate the efficacy of Shirodhara in many diseases. A 35-yearold female patient with sleep deprivation, loss of concentration, and irritable mood symptoms was admitted to the hospital. She was assessed on the basis of the Profile Of Mood Score (POMS) questionnaire, Serum Cortisol (Sr. Cortisol), Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). The patient was treated by Shirodhara with sesame oil for 14 days continuously. Results were assessed by biomarkers of stress and by POMS score. At the end of Shiroadhara, there was significant improvement found in presenting complaints as well as on the POMS Score and Stress biomarkers. During or after the treatment, no adverse events were observed.

Impact force measurement in Shirodhara

Background

Shirodhara is an ayurvedic procedure usually administered to alleviate mental stress. The process involves impact on the forehead by a free fall of a continuous stream of temperature controlled fluid.

Objective

In this study, the impact force generated on the forehead due to fluid falling from dhara pot held at a standard height of 4 angulas is measured passing through a traditional wick.

Materials and methods

The variation of this impact force for different medicinal oils such as Ksheerabala oil, Mahanarayana oil and water is studied. The measurements are made using an Integrated Circuit Piezoelectric force sensor designed to measure low loads.

Results

The impact force is found to be order of 10⁻² N and is observed to marginally vary with the type of liquid used in the experiment. The force was found to build up an average duration of 7.2 ms linearly over a time.

Conclusion

It was observed that the impact force generated on the human forehead due to Shirodhara treatment was low and is invariant to the medicinal oils used in the treatment. The measured forces correlate closely with the force estimates made from simple fluid mechanics. These forces have an important role in the estimate of stresses, displacements and voltage generated due to the impact associated with Shirodhara.