Shirovasthi

Shirovasti is an ayurvedic therapy or procedure in which outer area of head is covered by a leather cap keeping hollow inside to put oil in it for a certain period in such a way that oil should not be leaked out. Shiro means head and Vasti means container that holding liquids.  Therefore, shirobasti means holding oil on the head for a specific period of time with use of cap fitted on the head in such a way that oil does leak out. Shirovasti is used for the treatment of diseases concerned to the head, brain and neurological diseases such as migraine, chronic headache, depression, and throbbing pain in head, hemicranias or recurring headache. It is also beneficial for lowering stress and building immunity against psychosomatic diseases. Shirovasti is categorized in ayurveda as external Snehana (Oil is used) or external oil application to treat an ailment. It is a part of panchakarma, a sub-branch of ayurvedic internal medicine.