Shirovasti -additional procedure

Shirovasti
This is one of the important external oleation method. It consist of medicated oil retention over the head. This is done with the help of specially designed elongated leather cap.


Indications for Shirovasti
Shirovasti is indicated in Facial palsy, Insomnia, Dry nose, Dryness of the eye, Migraine, Headache, Memory loss, Mental stress and strain. Even though it is useful in all dosha types, it is more useful in vata vitiation, and vata diseases.

Other benefits:
In addition to the usefulness in above conditions, Shiro Vasti has an added benefit of rejuvenating the whole body, relieving the exhaustion and restoring the luster of the skin. It also relieves mental stress, balances the doshas, and increases ojas of body and mind.

Necessary Equipments:

• Specially prepared ShiroVasti leather Cap (It should be well tanned, soft and without any openings),
  
• Warm sesame oil in a stainless bowl,
  
• Black gram flour,
  
• Glass of water,
  
• Cotton towels or Paper napkins
  
• Cotton
  

Preparation before Shirovasti

To start with, shave the scalp properly. If not possible, then keep the hair as less as possible. Give gentle massage to the scalp and forehead. Then give little fomentation to the head, neck and shoulders. This preparation is done in the morning. Main shirovasti can be given after this basic preparation in the afternoon.


Main procedure of Shirovasti
To start with keep the leather cap over the head up to the ear lobules. Fill the gaps within the head and outside the cap by filling it with Black gram dough. Apply this dough from outside too, at the border between fore head and cap. Plastic mud can also be used to fill in the gaps instead of Black gram dough. Ask the patient to sit straight in an comfortable chair. Put warm sesame oil gradually into the leather cap to fill it more than half. It should be filled till the scalp is covered with oil. It is retained 50, 40, and 30 Minutes in Vata, Pitta and Kapha dominance respectively.

Cleaning up after Shirovasti

After signs of proper shirovasti are observed, such as relief from pain, secretions from nose and mouth, ask the patient to move forward so as to enable the physician to collect back the oil poured in the cap.

Clean the scalp, neck and forehead with a cotton towel or paper napkins. Make it dry. Ask the patient to have a warm water bath after taking some rest.

Precautions after Shirovasti
Advice the patient to avoid exposure to excessive cold, heat or dampness, air and to cover the head while moving out. This precaution is necessary throughout the week of the treatment and even one week after the Shirovasti.

Usually this procedure is done for seven consecutive days.