DHAARA
Dhaara / Seka mean pouring of lukewarm liquids, like unctuous substances, milk, fermented liquid, decoction and others. This process is done until subject perspire. Based on the site of administration it is known as sirodhaara, sarvanga dhaara, ekanga dhaara. Based on type of material used it is known as taila dhaara, kashaya dhaara, takra dhaara, njavara dhaara etc. The special feature of dhaara is that various medical formulations like, ksheera paka, kashaya, takra, sneha etc can be used freely according to the need to reduce dosha or vyadhi. So dhaara plays an important role in the view of treatment.
Seka vidhi are set of treatments evolved from classical texts of ayurveda having pecific effect in specified clinical conditions. The ideal administration of dhaara imparts drudatha (vitality) to body elements, stabilizes the agni, varna, ojas. Enhance indriya (sense of perception), slow down senility, and gives longevity.
Dhaara droni
Droni/pathi is a wooden table prepared from hard wood trees like plaksha, udumbara, bilva, khadira, etc which have vata pacifying property. It should be 4 hasta (6 feet) long, 1 hasta (18 inch) wide and 1/4th hasta ( 4.5inch) high. At foot end there is an outlet to drain off the dhaara liquid. It hould have head end and foot end.
Dhaarapatram
Vessel to do dhaara. It I wide mouthed, round bottomed vessel having capacity of 2 pratha (1536gm). It should be prepared from high quality metals like gold, silver, bronze or clay. Bottom of vessel should have an opening corresponding to the size of middle joint of little finger of the patient.
Types of dhaara according to material used for it
1 Dhaanyamla dhaara
Dhanyamla Dhara means stream pouring of liquids obtained by fermenting/boiling cereals and other herbal medicines over the body of the patient. It helps to remove, metabolic toxins formed due to errors of metabolism that clog cells and channels of the body and disturb the smooth functioning of the cells and organs.
Duration
The number of days of treatment varies from 7-28 days depending on the nature and intensity of the disease.
Treatment is done for a period of 30-45 minutes per session (Treatment duration will extend beyond this if it is combined with other treatments)
Benefits
Relief in pain, swelling and stiffness associated with many systemic diseases, especially in rheumatological conditions like Amavata (Rheumatoid arthritis), Sandhigata Vata (Osteoarthritis), Kati Shula (Low back pain), Mamsagata Vata (Myalgia), and many types of neuromuscular and musculoskeletal diseases.
Obesity and over-weight conditions, Frozen Shoulder, Musculo-skeletal pains etc.
Duration
Time vary from 30 min – 1hour depending on the nature and intensity of the disease.
The number of days of treatment varies from 7-14 days. depending on the nature and intensity of the disease.
2 Taila dhaara
In this treatment, the warm medicated oil is poured in a continuously flowing single stream, all over the body for certain period of time in certain direction. Duration is relative to the intensity of disease and strength of the patient.
Indication & benefits:
Improves circulation to muscles and lubricates the joints.
Reduces the pain and stiffness in Arthritis, osteoporosis, sciatica, spondylosis
Hemiplegia, paraplegia, general weakness, muscle wasting etc.
Other musculo-skeletal and neurological problems.
Duration
Time vary from 30 min – 1hour depending on the nature and intensity of the disease.
The number of days of treatment varies from 7-14 days. depending on the nature and intensity of the disease.
3 Ksheera dhaara
Pouring of lukewarm medicated milk in a regular stream from a height of 4 angula (inches) all over the body for a specific period of time and with a specific pattern is called as Sarvanga Ksheera dhara.
Under this process cow’s milk is used, where various herbs are added to make the milk and boiled for certain period. It is regarded as the important therapy among Kerala special Ayurvedic treatments.
Beneficial
Lifestyle & Relaxation
Alleviating fatigue
Restoring vitality
Improving memory
Establishing dosha equilibrium
De -stressing
Mental Wellness
Reducing mental tension
combating headaches
Relieving insomnia
Beauty
Glowing Skin
Duration
Time vary from 30 min – 1hour depending on the nature and intensity of the disease.
The number of days of treatment varies from 7-14 days. depending on the nature and intensity of the disease.
4 Kashaya dhaara
This treatment is a kind of sedation therapy using herbal decoction. This is a process by which the body is made to perspire by means of pouring warm decoction with a special vessel from a certain height in rhythmic manner and is rubbed into the body. This method removes ‘ama’ or toxins from the tissues and promotes fat metabolism, removes tension from muscles and also alleviates pain and stiffness of the joints and muscles, Fibromyalgia etc.
Benefits
This treatment is mainly indicated for treatment of skin disease such as psoriasis, eczema, some scalp lesions and also prevention of hair fall.
Improves the delayed wound healing.
Varicose ulcer.
Duration
Time vary from 30 min – 1hour depending on the nature and intensity of the disease.
The number of days of treatment varies from 7-14 days. depending on the nature and intensity of the disease.
5 Njavara Dhaara
Also known as Shashtika Sali dhaara.
Njavara/sashtika sali is a verity of rice, which is highly nourishing. Here the njavara verity of rice is cocked with herbal decoction and milk. This rice is made as liquid form and poured over the body for certain minutes. This is highly nourishing therapy. And should be done under advice of an expert.
Benefits
Improve strength of weak tissues.
Increase general strength of body.
Good for old people as it is rejuvinative.
Help to improve the joint weakness, increase synovial secretion, etc.
Improve muscle wasting
Soothes the nerves and improves blood circulation
Removes stress, relaxes mind
Improves circulation to skin, improves color and complexion
Contraindications
Severe inflammation
Diabetes mellitus ( can be done if needed with caution )
DVT, Varicose vein
Fever, cold.
Duration
Time vary from 30 min – 1hour depending on the nature and intensity of the disease.
The number of days of treatment varies from 7-14 days. depending on the nature and intensity of the disease.
SIRO DHAARA
One of the most famous ayurveda therapy known to most of the population across the world
What is Sirodhara?
Sirodhaara is a Sanskrit term. It has 2 words combined, they are –
sira = head
dhaara = stream.
That means it is a therapy in which there is a stream of fluid being allowed to fall over the fore head.
It is a procedure included under murdhni tailam. It is the best therapy for vata related diseases and ailments related to head and sense organs.
Procedure
The patient is allowed to lie down on the droni/pathi in upright position. A piece of cloth/cotton is tied on the forehead, separating eyes from forehead. The dhara pot is placed few inches above the fore head of patient. The medicated liquid is poured into the pot. Then the medicated liquid (oil/kashayam/takram etc) I allowed to fall over the forehead, from right to left (and vice versa). This is continued for certain period of time as needed. The medicated liquid will be in room temperature or slightly warm. After completing the procedure the head is cleaned/washed, and rasnadi choornam is applied on vertex. Light food is normally recommended after sirodhara, even for a healthy individual.
Benefits
Sirodhara is highly benifitial for disease related to head, scalp, sense organ.
It improves the healing power of body.
Improves the insomnia – Pouring oil with specific medicine on head, reduce the stress and help to improve sleep.
Also enhance the memory power – sirodhara done with special medicated oils, will help the medicines to freely enter the brain and boost memory. It is very useful in memory loss, stroke etc
It I also used to treat hairfall – by doing sirodhaara with suitable medicines it is possible to strengthen the weak roots of hair follicles. Also cure the scalp related disease which induce hair fall.
Reduce the consequences of head injury – Head is considered as most important marma in the body. Any injury to head cause serious impact on brain and its functions. To recover from the after effect of head injury, sirodhara is highly useful.
Reduces the aging process.
Improves the vision.
Materials used
The liquid used for sirodhara, is left for doctors choice. There is a lot of permutations and combinations of medicine available for doctor to select. Selection depends on patient, disease, dosha involved, kala (time), Ritu (climate) etc.
Normaly there are – taila sirodhara, takra sirodhara, kashaya sirodhara, dhanyamla sirodhara, ksheera sirodhara, jala dhara etc.
Duration
The number of days of treatment varies from 7-28 days depending on the nature and intensity of the disease.
Treatment is done for a period of 30-45 minutes per session (Treatment duration will extend beyond this if it is combined with other treatments)
Contraindication
As many other therapies sirodhara also has certain situation where it should not be done.
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