Shirobasti

Shirobasti – Oil Keeping Therapy Head

Definition

Shirobasti is a procedure of keeping the medicated oil or ghee on the head, 2 inches above the level of hair.

ShirobastiProcedure of Shirobasti

  • Oil massage, Fomentation and other cleansing processes should be done initially.
  • Hairs should be removed from the head or cut short.
  • Patient is made to sit in a chair without any stress.
  • Patient should not move his head during therapy.
  • Leather cap should be fixed to the head.The paste of black gram should be applied to the junction of head and cap to prevent leakage.
  • Lukewarm medicated oil or ghee is to be poured into leather cap up to two inches height above the level of hair.
  • When medicine becomes cooler,that has to be exchanged with lukewarm medicine.
  • Oil is made into lukewarm by keeping it over the water bath .
  • Oil over the head should be kept for a specific period decided by Ayurveda doctor.

Removal of oil

After appearance of following symptoms oil should be removed.

  • Reduction of pain
  • Arrival of lacrimation
  • Nasal discharge
  • Salivation

Advise after procedure

  • Bath with hot water
  • Follow the food regimen as advised according to diseases

Duration

  • 53 minutes
  • 43 minutes
  • 31 minutes
  • 6 minutes
  • (Depending on the disease condition.)

Indications of Shirobasti

  • Numbness of scalp
  • Facial palsy
  • Sleeplessness
  • Neck rigidity
  • Pain in jaw
  • Locked jaw
  • Migraine
  • Headaches
  • Some diseases of head
  • Dandruff
  • Decrease in vision
  • Dryness of oral cavity
  • Atrophic changes in nasal cavity