Patients at the Ayush Department of AIIMS are benefiting from the Shirodhara facility and recovering their health.

CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: The Director of AIIMS Bhopal, Ajay Singh, makes continuous efforts for the comprehensive health of patients through all modes of treatment such as allopathy, Ayurveda, Unani, Yoga, Siddha, or homeopathy. It is through these efforts that AIIMS Bhopal provides high-quality healthcare facilities. One such method is Ayurveda. Ayurveda includes a treatment method called “Shirodhara,” which originated thousands of years ago in India. It focuses on balancing the vital life forces in the patient’s body, known as doshas.

One such success story is that of 46-year-old Naman (name changed), who had been struggling with inadequate sleep for the past six years. He would toss and turn all night, despite taking sleeping pills, only to wake up feeling unrested. Eventually, he sought treatment from Dr. Danish Javed in the Ayush Department of AIIMS Bhopal. Dr. Javed advised him to undergo Shirodhara treatment. Just after a month of treatment, there was a significant improvement in Naman’s condition. After nearly three months of treatment, Naman now enjoys peaceful sleep at night.

Shirodhara is an Ayurvedic therapeutic technique in which medicated oil, milk, or buttermilk is poured onto the patient’s forehead. The term “Shirodhara” is derived from two Sanskrit words – “Shiro” (head) and “Dhara” (flow). It involves pouring liquid – typically oil, milk, buttermilk, or water – onto the forehead of the patient. This is often done in conjunction with massage of the body, scalp, or head. The liquid, derived from herbs, is poured into a vessel with a small hole at the bottom, through which it flows onto the forehead, between the eyebrows. The eyes are covered with a cloth to protect them. Shirodhara has a soothing, calming effect on the body and mind. Research also indicates that Shirodhara reduces fatigue, improves sleep-related issues, alleviates headaches, reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, enhances concentration, and helps in lowering blood pressure. In just one month, approximately 70 patients have benefited from this treatment at AIIMS Bhopal.