1. Shiro Abhyanga, Shirasseka, Shiro Pichu, and Shiro Vasti are four methods of Moordhni Taila Chikitsa or head oil therapy described by Vagbhata to keep oil on the head for a longer duration. 2. Coconut oil, sesame oil, and ghee are some of the oils recommended for Shiro Abhyanga due to their nourishing properties. Coconut oil improves vigor while sesame oil increases strength and intellect. 3. Shirasseka involves pouring medicated liquid over the head in a manner similar to Parisheka or Dhara treatments on other parts of the body. It is considered a local

1. Moordhni Taila chikitsa
Dr.K.Siva Rama Prasad
SHIRO ABHYANGA:
ʶɮúÉä®úÉäMÉÉƺlÉvÉÉ ®úÉäMÉÉiÉ Ê¶É®úÉ䦪ÉÆMÉÉä{É Eò¹ÉÇÊiÉ
Eäò¶ÉÉxÉÉÆ ¨ÉÉvÉÇ´ÉÆ nèùPªÉÈ ¤É½Öþi´ÉÆ ÎºxÉMvÉ EÞò¹hÉiÉÉÆ
Eò®úÉäÊiÉ Ê¶É®ú¨Éºi¨ÉÞÏ{iÉ ºÉÖi´ÉC¨ÉÊ{ÉSÉÉxÉxɨÉÂ
ºÉÆiÉ{ÉÇhÉÆSÉäÎxpùªÉÉhÉÉÆ Ê¶É®úºÉ: {ÉÊ®ú{ÉÚhÉÇi´É¨É - ºÉÖ ÊSÉ 24/25
Massaging the head is said as Shiro
Abhyanga. This even though comes in
Abhyanga methodology, a special and exclu-
sive application of oil over head for the benefits
regularly and daily is essential. This is a regular
practice in India to keep the fitness. In this ei-
Moordhni Taila Chikitsa means pouring
ther cold or warm oils are used for the applica-
or keeping the oil for stipulated period over the tion over head. When Abhyanga is done initi-
head. Vagbhata described Moordhni Taila ated from head, then subsequently for trunk and
Chikitsa in four varieties. Intention of Moordhni rest of body. Head (Shira) is the prime part of
Taila Chikitsa is to keep more time oil on the the body (Uttamangam) and seat for the
head. They are – Pranavata, Alochakapitta, Bodhakakapha,
1. Shiro Abhyanga Indriya and also a Marma stana. All Shiro Vyadhi
2. Shirasseka (Parisheka, Dhara) subsides by the Shiro Abhyanga. Hairs grow
3. Shiro Pichu long, thick and soft. Abhyanga nourishes the
4. Shiro Vasti face skin and makes it beautiful. All the sense
+¦ªÉÆMÉ ºÉäEò Ê{ÉSÉ´É: ´ÉκiɶSÉäÊiÉ SÉiÉÖÌ´ÉvÉÆ organs are well nourished.
Chakra Taila
¨ÉÚvÉÇiÉè±ÉÆ ¤É½ÖþMÉÖhÉÆ iÉÊuùtÉnÖùkÉ®úÉäkÉ®Æú - + ¾þ ºÉÚ 2/23
Out of the above Dhara, Shiro Vasti treatments SÉGòiÉè±ÉÆ ªÉxjÉË{ÉÊb÷iÉ iÉè±ÉÆ - b÷±½þhÉ
are dealt in individual chapters. Here Shiro ¨ÉvÉÖEÆò IÉÒ®ú ¶ÉÖC±ÉÉÆ SÉ ºÉ®ú³Æý näù´ÉnùÉ°üSÉ IÉÖpùEÆò
Abhyanga, Shiro Vasti and Shiro Pichu are
dealt. For each and individual procedure of the
{ÉÆSÉxÉɨÉÉxÉÉÆ ºÉ¨É¦ÉÉMÉÉÊnù ºÉƽþ®äúiÉ iÉä¹ÉÉÆ Eò±Eò
above they have indications and stipulations. Eò¹ÉɪÉɦªÉÉÆSÉGòiÉè±ÉÆ Ê´É{ÉÉSɪÉäiÉÂ
Vagbhata refers successive method of Moordhni
Taila Chikitsa is better then the former. That
ºÉnèù´É ¶ÉÒiɱÉÆ VÉÆiÉÉä¨ÉÖÊÇ qùiÉè±ÉÆ |ÉnùÉ{ɪÉäiÉ - ºÉÖ ÊSÉ 24/27-28
means Seka is better then Abhyanga, Pichu is Susruta mentioned Chakra Taila for
better then Seka, Shiro Vasti is better then Shiro regular use in Shiro Abhyanga. Chakra Taila
Pichu. means the oil brought out by machine crush-
ing. In this Yastimadhu, Vidari, Saraladharu,
ÊxÉiªÉÆ ºxÉä½þÉpÇùʶɮúºÉ: ʶɮú¶¶ÉÚ±ÉÆ xÉ VÉɪÉiÉä Devadaru and laghu panchamoola are added
xÉ JÉÉʱÉiªÉÆ xÉ {ÉÉʱÉiªÉÆ xÉ Eäò¶ÉÉ: |É{ÉiÉÎxiÉ SÉ to the oil obtained from machine. The prepara-
tion of oil follows tailapaka vidhi. This oil to be
¤É±ÉÆ Ê¶É®ú: Eò{ÉɱÉÉxÉÉÆ Ê´É¶Éä¹ÉäxÉÉÊ¦É ´ÉvÉÇiÉä applied on the head when it is cold. Dalhana
vÉÞfø¨ÉÚ±ÉɶSÉnùÒPÉÉǶSÉ EÞò¹hÉÉEäò¶ÉÉ ¦É´ÉÎxiÉ: explains the procedure of chakrataila prepara-
tion. The above said ingredients are procured
<ÆÊpùªÉÉÊhÉ |ɺÉÒnùÎxiÉ ºÉÖ i´ÉMÉ ¦É´ÉÊiÉSÉÉxÉxɨÉ 100 palas (400 tolas) added to 512 palas (2048
ÊxÉpùɱÉɦÉ: ºÉÖJÉÆSÉ ºªÉÉiÉ ¨ÉÚÌvÉiÉè±ÉÊxɹÉä´ÉhÉÉiÉ -SÉ ºÉÚ 5/81-83 tolas) of water and cooked to reduced for 110
Charaka explained the qualities of oil palas (440 tolas). When it is cooled filter the
and narrated the effects when the oil used regu- decoction and augments fresh kalka 8 palas (32
larly for head. Usage of oil regularly gives rise tolas) of above said ingredients and 32 palas
strong scalp, strong black long hair which won’t (128 tolas) of the fresh machine crushed oil.
get white for long time, prevention of hair fall, Cook the contents with tailapaka vidhi and pre-
comfort for the all sense organs and induces serve when it is cooled. This chakra Taila is good
good sleep. (Cha.Su.5/81-85) for the head and takes out the roughness of

2. the scalp, nourishes the head. Vagbhata ad-
vised Shiro Abhyanga whenever toxins (mala)
SHIRASSEKA ʶɮúººÉäEÆò
accumulated in the head. ´ÉÉiÉPxÉ ÊºÉqèù IÉÒ®èú¶SÉ ºÉÖJÉÉä¹hÉè: ºÉäEò¨ÉÉSÉ®äúiÉÂ
iÉjÉɦªÉÆMÉÉä |ɪÉÉäHò´ªÉÉä ®úÉIªÉ EÆòbڨɱÉÉÊnù¹ÉÖ - + ¾þ ºÉÚ 22/28
è ÷
Oils used for Shiro Abhyanga
- ºÉÖ = 26/5
Coconut Oil Ê{ÉkÉ®úHò ºÉ¨ÉÖi{ÉzÉÉè ʶɮúÉä®úÉäMÉÉè ÊxÉ´ÉÉ®úªÉäiÉÂ
Coconut oil is taken out of the kernel of
coconut. It is not only oil for the head applica- ʶɮúÉä±Éä{Éè: ºÉºÉÌ{ɹEèò: {ÉÊ®ú¹ÉäEò¶SÉ ¶ÉÒiɱÉè:
tion but also as edible oil. When it is applied
regularly over the head, it induces libido and IÉÒ®äúIÉÖ®úºÉ: vÉÉxªÉɨ±É ¨ÉºlÉÖ IÉÉèpùʺÉiÉÉ VɱÉè:
improves the vigor. It is Vata Pitta haram, nour- - ºÉÖ = 26/12-13
ishes the dhatus, and relieves mootra ghata,
Premaha, Swasa, Kasa and Kshaya. It not only {ÉèkÉä PÉÞiÉÆ {ɪÉ: ºÉäEòÉ: ʶÉiÉÉ ±Éä{ÉÉ: ºÉxÉÉ´ÉxÉÉ
nourishes the dhatus and improves the Medha
(intellect). - SÉ ÊSÉ 26/176
Sesame Oil (Tila Taila)
Sesame oil is said as the best oil out of
´ÉÉiÉPxÉ nù¶É¨ÉÚ±ÉÉÊnù ʺÉqù IÉÒ®äúhÉ ºÉäSÉxÉÆ
vegetable oils. This has little sweet and bitter - + ¾þ = 24/3
taste. It has Ushna Veerya and Madhura Vipaka
and Sookhma, Vyavayi, Guru, Vikasa, Vishada, ʶɮúÉäÊ´É®äúEòºÉäEòÉÊxÉ ºÉ´ÉÈ Ê´ÉºÉ{ÉÇxÉÖSSɪÉiÉÂ
Teekshna and Stira qualities (Guna). Vata hara
Pitta kara and acts as associated with other in- - SÉ ÊºÉ 9/73
gredients. The Sesame oil is Veerya vridhi
karam, balyam, lekhanam, garbhashaya
+°ÆüʹÉEò ʶɮúºiÉÉänù nùɽþ {ÉÉEò µÉhÉä¹ÉÖ
sodhakam, Agni deepti karam, mala mootra iÉÖ {ÉÊ®ú¹ÉäEò: - + ¾þ ºÉÚ 22/24
bandhakaram and good for the fractures. It is
specifically use in headaches and best oil foe
the Shiro Abhyanga.
Caster Oil
Caster Oil is heavy and tastes little
sweet. It increases Kapha and cures Vatarakta,
Gulma, Hridroga and Jeerna Jwara.
Ghrita Abhyanga
As oils are used for the Shiro Abhyanga
even Ghee is used in some provinces. This is
said well for the rising children and middle aged
people. Ghrita Abhyanga is useful in emaci-
ated people, Jwara, Sheeta Jwara, Moorcha,
Trishna, Prameha, Vidradhi, Atisara, Sosha, Ka-
mila, Swasa, Kasa, Pralapa and Kapholbana.
With respect to that of the diseases req-
uisite oils are to be used for the Shiro Abhyanga.
For the healthy people all oils can be used for
Shiro Abhyanga.
Shirasseka is one of the prevalent meth-
ods of treatment in Kerala. This is said as
“Parisheka” or “Dhara” for the head. As like
Parisheka on the head if the medicated liquid is
poured said as Shirasseka. This is other wise
said as local or Ekanga Dhara. Based on the
medicament and its mode it is considered as

3. either Sneha or Sweda. In this many liquids such
as milk, butter milk, sugar cane juice, oil, ghee,
+vÉÉǴɦÉänùEäò - ={ÉxÉɽþ: ʶɮúÉä´ÉκiÉ®Âú nù½þxÉÆ
Dhanyamla and medicated decoctions are viv- SÉÉjÉ ¶É¹ªÉiÉä - SÉ ÊºÉ 9/87
idly used.
Dhara method of treatment is dealt sepa- Ê´ÉÊvɺiɺªÉ ÊxɹÉhhɺªÉ {ÉÒ`äö VÉÉxÉֺɨÉä ¨ÉÞnùÉè
rately, as needs special attention. The above
explanation when it is observed it looks as such ¶ÉÖrùÉ ®úHò κ´ÉzÉ näù½þºªÉ ÊnùxÉÉÆiÉä MÉ´ªÉ¨ÉÉʽþ¹ÉÆ
it is over the head instead of on the forehead uùÉnù¶ÉÉÆMÉÖ³ý ʴɺiÉÒhÉÈ SɨÉÇ{É]Âõ]Æõ ʶɮúººÉ¨ÉÆ
as done in the Dhara treatment. The diseases
said to be cured are Arumshika, Shiro roga, +ÉEòhÉÇ ¤ÉxvÉxÉ ºlÉÉxÉÆ ±É±ÉÉ]äõ ´ÉºjÉ´Éäι]õiÉä
Shankhaka, shiro daha and vataja rogas. When
Vata predominance is observed with lukewarm SÉè±É´ÉäÊhÉEòªÉÉ ¤Évv´ÉÉ ¨ÉɹÉEò±EäòxÉ ±Éä{ɪÉäiÉÂ
medicated liquids as said above and if the Pitta
or Rakta predominance with cold decoctions the
iÉvÉÉä ªÉvÉÉ ´ªÉÉÊvɶÉÞiÉÆ ºxÉä½Æþ EòÉä¹hÉÆ ÊxɶÉäSɪÉäiÉÂ
Shirasseka is undertaken. >ðv´ÉÈ Eäò¶É¦ÉÖ´ÉÉä ªÉÉ´ÉuùªÉÆMÉÖ³Æý vÉÉ®úªÉä§ÉÖiÉÆ
SHIRO PICHU (Ê{ÉSÉÖ)
vÉÉ®úªÉäSSÉiÉÆ +É´ÉjÉÇ xÉÉʶÉEòÉäC±ÉänùÉiÉÂ
Ê{ÉSÉÖ: Eàò¶É¶ÉÉiɺ¡Öò]õxÉ vÉÚ{ÉxÉä xÉäjɺiÉƨ¦Éä SÉ - - + ¾þ ºÉÚ 22/26-29
+ ¾þ ºÉÚ 22/25 ʴɶÉä¹ÉiÉÉä ´ÉÉiÉVÉä¹ÉÖ Ê´ÉEòÉ®äú¹ÉÖ nù¶É¨ÉÉjÉ
This is third in the listing of moordhnitaila
methods of treatment. In this a cotton piece or ºÉ½þ»ÉÉÊhÉ Ê{ÉkÉ ®úHòVÉä º´É¹]õÉè Eò¡òVÉä¹ÉÖ
a piece of cloth is used. This procedure is used
for specifically for the Vata diseases. Specified ºÉ½þ»É¨É®úÉäMÉEò¨ÉÇÊhÉ, iÉiÉÉä +´ÉxÉÒiÉä ºxÉä½þ
oil is selected and a square cloth or cotton piece
is dipped in the oil. Then it is put over the
ʴɨÉÖSªÉ ´ÉκiÉxÉ ʶɮúºÉ: ºEòxnùOÉÒ´ÉÉ
“Brahma Randhra” (Frontal foramen). This is {ÉÞ¹`ö ±É±ÉÉ]õÉnùÒxÉÉxªÉÖºÉÖJÉÆ ¨ÉnÇùªÉäiÉÂ
indicated in Kehspatanam, white or gray hair,
vrana and in netra stambha. This procedureis =¹hÉÉƤÉÖxÉÉ ºxÉÉiÉÆ SÉ ªÉvÉÉ®ú½Æþ
done not only on the head but also in Yoni, Guda
and Nasa.Kasisadi taila is used in guda gata ¦ÉÉäVɪÉäiÉ ºxÉä½þÉäHÆòSÉɺªÉSÉÉ®ú¨ÉÉÊnù¹ÉäiÉÂ
rakta strava. Jatyadi taila and Padmakadi taila B´ÉÆ jÉÒÊhÉ {ÉÆSÉ ºÉ{iÉ ´ÉÉÊnùxÉÉÊxÉ ªÉÉäVɪÉäÊnùÊiÉ
are used much in Shalakya i.e. nasa gata rakta
srava. According to Vagbhata, Pichu is said - + ºÉÆ ºÉÚ 31
better then the Parisheka. This procedure can
be repeated daily or continuously, as the cloth ´ÉκiɹiÉÖ |ɶÉÖ{iªÉÉÌvÉiÉ VÉÉMÉ®äú xÉɺÉɺªÉ¶ÉÉä¹Éä
becomes dry.
ÊiÉʨɮäú ʶɮúÉä®úÉäMÉäSÉ nùɯûhÉä - + ¾þ ºÉÚ 22/26
SHIRO VASTI (ʶɮúÉ´ÉκiÉ)
ä Oil to keep over the head for long time
in a container is said as Shiro Vasti. “Vasu
Nivase” Dhatu defines as to restraining, hold-
ing, congruity or keeping the specified oil
through a container (over head tank) on the
head is said as Shiro Vasti. A round cap like 12
inches height leather piece is prepared for this
procedure.
Either in the morning or evening and
even at nights, patient comfortably sitting over
a knee height seat should wear the leather cap
around the head for the Shiro Vasti. Then the
cap internally filled with the Masha Pisti to pre-
vent the oil leak. Then lukewarm oil is poured
over the head. It will reside for the stipulated
period. The oil height is maintained for 2 inches
above the height of hair. It is preferred to shave

4. the head before treatment for the better results.
Time schedule for Shiro Vasti (As. Sangraha
sutra 31)
Vata Vyadhi -10000 matra (53 minutes)
Pitta Vyadhi – 8000 matra (43 minutes)
Kapha Vyadhi - 6000 matra (31 minutes)
Swasta – 1000 matra (5 to 6 minutes)
With the above schedule 3, 5 or 7 days
Shiro Vasti has to perform with lukewarm oil.
The oil has to be maintained the temperature
through out the schedule. After the completion
of treatment light massage over the neck and
back has to done. It requires hot water shower
and paschat karma as said in pinda Sweda.
Uses: Shiro Vasti is useful in Prasukti Vata,
Ardhita Vata, Nidra nasha, Nasa sosha, asya
sosha, Timira and all Shiro roga.
MASTISHKA ¨ÉÉκiɹCªÉ
¨ÉκiɹEäòSÉè´É xɺªÉäSÉ iÉè±ÉÆ ´ÉÉiɽþ®Æú ʽþiÉÆ
- ºÉÖ ÊSÉ 22/23
¨ÉκiɹEò: ʶɮúÉä´ÉκiÉ |ÉEòÉ®ú:
ʶɮúÉä´ÉκiÉ ®úSÉxÉ´ÉiÉ ¤ÉrùÉä ¨ÉκiɹEò <ÊiÉ
+xªÉäiÉÖ {É`öÎxiÉ ¨ÉκiɹEäòSÉè´É xɺªÉäSÉ <iªÉÉÊnù
+jÉ ¨ÉκiɹCªÉÆ ¨ÉκiɹEäòʽþiÉÆ +¦ªÉxMÉ
iÉè±ÉÊ{ÉSÉÖvÉÉ®úhÉ Ê¶É®úÉä´ÉºiªÉÉÊnù
- ºÉÖ ÊSÉ 23/23 b÷±½þhÉ
iÉjÉ ÊºÉrèù: {ÉɪɺÉè: ´ÉÉÊ{É ºÉÖJÉÉä¹hÉè: ±Éä{ɪÉäiÉÂ
ʺɮúÉκ´ÉzÉè´ÉÉÇ ¨ÉiªÉ Ê{ÉʶÉiÉÆ
EÞò¶É®èú´ÉÉ ºÉ ºÉèxvÉ´Éè:
- ºÉÖ = 26/6
xÉ±É C´ÉÆVÉÖ®ú Eò½þ´ÉÉ®ú SÉxnùxÉÉäi{É±É {ÉnÂù¨ÉEèò:
´ÉƶɶÉè´ÉÉ±É ªÉ¹`öªÉÉÁ ¨ÉÖºiÉÉƦÉÉä¯û½þ ºÉʽþiÉè:
ʶɮú: |ɱÉä{É ºÉPÉÞiÉè: ´ÉèºÉÌ{ɶSÉ: iÉvÉÉÊ´ÉvÉè:
- ºÉÖ = 26/13-14
Susruta explained two forms of oil mixed
paste over the head said as “Mastishkya”. One
is Mastishka and second is Mastshkya. Dalhana
speaks Mastishka as Shiro Vasti and in
Mastishkya a thick paste of oil mixed medicated
pastes are applied. This looks as snehalepana
vidhi. This is used for the same as the above
moordhni taila methods of treatment.