Talapotichil is a unique Ayurvedic treatment involving the application of medicinal paste to the head, used primarily in Kerala for various head-related ailments and mental disorders. The procedure has specific indications and contraindications, and employs a carefully prepared paste from herbal medicines mixed with buttermilk. It aims to rejuvenate the brain and central nervous system, enhancing memory, relieving stress, and improving sleep and hair quality.

1. TALOPOTHICHIL
Dr. Shalu Jain
MD (Panchakarma)
Dr.Abhishek Jain
MS (Ayu)

2. INTRODUCTION
THALA-HEAD, POTICHIL – TO COVER
• To cover the head with medicinal paste is known as talapotichil in ayurveda.
• Thalapothichil is a unique method of drug delivery which is widely practiced among the
physicians, especially in kerala.
• It is important treatment for many minor and major diseases that afflict the head.
• Thalapothichil, also known as shirolepa.
• It is modification of shirolepa

3. INDICATIONS
• Autism,
• ADHD,
• Diseases of head (headache, sleep disorders, epilepsy, sinusitis)
• Diseases of scalp (dandruff, hair fall, greying of hair)
• various mental disorders (anxiety, depression, mental retardation etc).

4. CONTRADICATIONS
• Head injury
• It must not be done in night;
• Care must be taken that the paste over scalp must not dry by keeping it for long time

5. MATERIAL
Medicine
• Amla Powder or
• Panchgandha Churna or
• Musta
Buttermilk
Earthen Pot
Cotton
Wrap bandage or cloth
Banana Or Lotus Leaves
Medicated Head Massage Oil

6. PREPARATION OF PASTE
• Drugs are selected as per the disease condition of the patient and prepared by boiling the drugs in
buttermilk
or
• To prepare the paste, selected drugs are soaked in buttermilk and kept in an earthen pot overnight.
In the morning, it is ground to make a fresh paste.

7. METHOD
• PURVAKARMA
• The hair of the head is completely shaven or at least cut short.
• Once the paste is ready, the person is seated comfortably on a chair.
• The head is massaged gently with medicated oil.

8. • PRADHAN KARMA
• Freshly prepared paste is applied on the head.
• It is advised that the thickness of this lepa be at least one to two centimeters.
• After this, the patient’s head is covered with banana leaves.
• A hole is made on it on the vertex area and the paste from the vertex portion is removed to get A
dip and it is filled with suitable oil.
• PASCHAT KARMA
• The paste is removed only after 30-90 minutes and abhyanga with suitable oil is applied.
• Rasnadichoorna is applied over the vertex after the procedure and the patient is advised to follow
suitable pathyakramas

9. UTILITY
• It will penetrate and nourish the brain and central nervous system, rejuvenating the
individual from inside.
• Improves memory
• Relieve stress
• Improves quality of sleep
• Improves quality of hair
• Relieves heaviness of head

11. Like
Share
Follow