Shirodhara

Flow of oil in the forehead

Shirodhara literally means:

Shiro = head
Dhara = pouring a tiny and continuous flow of oil.

Shirodhara is a typical treatment of Ayurveda being made on the forehead of the receiver with hot oil.
Having practiced a complete massage, Snehana, receiver lies supine (as in photo), while the therapists prepare Dhara-patra (a container with a hole on the bottom used to Dhara) and hot oil. A string with a knot is inserted into Dhara-patra (not to slide out) and the other head is out of the hole to carry the oil. The Dhara-patra is filled with hot oil and the temperature will be monitored constantly by therapists. During this practice two Ayurvedic therapists massage hands and feet of the patient while a third person directs the stream that falls from the head of the rope on the front, on the head and the space between the eyebrows of the receiver.
Shirodhara is done slowly and steadily.

The practice of Shirodhara is often added to the procedures of Panchakarma to pacify Vata, in particular prana vayu (vital energy) and calm the central nervous system, pacifies the mind and senses that allow the natural healing mechanism of the body to dissolve the stress and strain present in the nervous system, improving mental clarity and understanding.