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.