Takradhara is a type of Shirodhara. Here, medicated buttermilk is poured in a continuous stream over the forehead.
Preparation of medicine-
Here we have used 100gm of pieces of Amalaki fruit and 100 gm of Dashamula Kashaya churna added to 8 liters of water and boiled in mild fire to reduce it to 2 liters (i.e;1/4th of initial quantity). The powder used to prepare decoction should not be nice. If nice powder is used it will obstruct the stream. Now the decoction is ready and then filtered. Now 1.5 liters of decoction mixed with 1.5 liters of buttermilk and used for the procedure. Remaining 500 ml 0f decoction is used to wash the head after the procedure.
Procedure-
Abhyanga or oil massage may be done to the head and body with suitable oil as required, but oil massage is not a must. The eyes should be covered with eye pads and gauze, tied around the head above the eyebrows. The ear should be plugged with cotton balls of suitable size to avoid entry of liquid into ears. The patient should lie in supine position on the Droni table. Under the neck, a small pillow should be placed. The Dhara vessel should be kept over the forehead with its stand, about 12-15 cm height. During the procedure the medicated buttermilk falling over the head should be collected in a vessel kept below the head end of the table. The vessel should be oscillated manually throughout the procedure. The procedure is same as Shirodhara, but here medicated buttermilk must not be heated.
Time:
Can be done between 7am to 10 am or 4pm to 6pm.
Duration:
Usually done for a period of 7 to 14 days, each day 45 minutes to 1 hour.
After the procedure, head should be washed with Decoction already prepared, wiped with a towel, Rasnadi Churna is applied to the head. Patient should take rest for a period and then bath.
Benefits:
I have witnessed benefits in cases of
- insomnia or sleeplessness
- certain headache disorders where Pittadosha is predominant and
- Hypertensive conditions.
- Alzheimer’s disease