Shirodhara terms

Dhara, a stream or continuous pour. The second half of the word Shirodhara.

Dhara patra, the vessel the oil is poured from, suspended above the forehead.

Dhara stambha, the stand or post the vessel hangs from.

Jala dhara, the same technique using a water infusion.

Kashaya dhara, the same technique using a herbal decoction.

Ksheera dhara, the same technique using milk, traditionally chosen for a depleted or dry presentation.

Lekhana, scraping or reducing. A property of herbs used where the aim is to mobilise and lighten rather than to settle, which is why lekhana herbs appear in Kapha formulations.

Murdha taila, the classical group of head-oleation procedures, of which Shirodhara is one.

Shiras, the head. The first half of the word Shirodhara.

Shiro abhyanga, oil worked into the scalp by hand. The lightest of the murdha taila group, and usually given briefly before a Shirodhara session.

Shiro basti, oil retained on the head inside a collar. The most intensive of the group.

Shiro pichu, an oil-soaked cloth pad held on the crown.

Snehana, oleation. The broader category of therapies using oil or other unctuous substances, internal or external.

Sthapani marma, the marma point between the eyebrows, the usual target of the stream. Often conflated in popular writing with the yogic term ajna.

Sukhoshna, pleasantly warm. The classical instruction for oil temperature: above body heat, comfortably, and not hot.

Taila, oil. Tila taila is sesame oil, the classical base.

Taila dhara, Shirodhara performed with oil, which is the default and by far the most common form.

Takra dhara, the same technique using buttermilk, traditionally chosen where a cooling stream is preferred.