Sirovasthi

SIROVASTHI:

Sirovasthi is the procedure wherein the medicated oil is retained on the head for a prescribed period. For this purpose the patient’s hair is cut short (complete removal of hair is preferable) and a clean cloth bandage is wrapped round the head of the patient over the forehead going over the ears and eye brows which is smeared with a paste of black-gram powder prepared with hot water on both sides A cap-like contraption of 12 ‘angula’ height without top made of moderately skin of ox or buffalo without hair is placed over this. This cap must fit perfectly well round the head of the patient with the smooth side of the skin inside. And another cloth is wound over the base of the cap along with the first wrap to fix the skin cap in position and to prevent the oil from leaking out at the junctions.

The prescribed medicated oil is warmed to body temperature and poured into this cap from a height of 2 ‘angulas’ till the hair on the head is fully covered by the oil. This process is done with the patient sitting on a comfortable chair.

Thus the oil can be retained until the patient develops discharge from the nose and mouth or for a maximum 45 minutes. Oil is then removed from the head by bending the head slightly and making a small opening in the bandage. The palms, soles, shoulders, ears. .etc. must be made warm by gentle rubbing. Fresh oil is applied on the body and head and made to bath with lukewarm water and Rasnadi Choornam is applied ont he vertex.

Course of Treatment: - 7/14 days.

Treatment Value:-

– Dryness of the scalp
- Itching on the head.
- Head-ache.
- ENT diseases
- Certain skin conditions of the scalp.
- Burning sensation on the head.

- Diseases of the head.
- Cracking of the skin of the scalp & hair fall.
- Facial paralysis.
- Diseases of the eye due to weakness of nerves.
- Insanity and other mental disorders