Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S
Which means of Talapothichil
‘Talapothichil’ is a Malayalam phrase which may be cut up as Tala + Pothichil.
Tala – means head
Pothichil – means overlaying
Be aware – Thalaphothichil or Thalapothichil or Talapothichil – it may be written in all methods. They’re one and the identical.
Introduction
Talapothichil is an Ayurveda therapy which is popularly practiced in Kerala. It’s an efficient therapy for a lot of illnesses. Principally it’s a variant of Shiro-Lepa which suggests utility of medicines over the scalp of the pinnacle and leaving it in place for a sure time frame by overlaying and tying it in place with the assistance of some medicinal leaves. In fashionable phrases it’s a remedy which correlates to ‘medicinal head pack’ and consists of anointing the pinnacle. Although Talapothichil originates from Kerala, the Shiro-Lepa was by no means new for Ayurveda.
Precept of therapy
In Talapothichil, a thick layer of medicinal natural paste, ready and customised with herbs particular for the illnesses that are being handled, is utilized over your complete head (scalp). Principally the remedy is cooling in nature and is nice for the pinnacle, nerves and sense organs. Additionally it is good for scalp and hairs.
Shira / Tala – is taken into account as Uttamanga – greatest organ – in Ayurveda. Therapies completed on the pinnacle (like Murdni Taila, Shiro-Lepa or Talapothichil and so forth) not solely have their optimistic well being influence on head, mind, nerves and sense organs, in addition they have systemic motion. They achieve this by balancing the dosha fluctuations within the head, primarily Prana Vayu, Sadhaka Pitta, Tarpaka Kapha and Alochaka Pitta. These doshas, as we all know, have their very own inside community. All dosha subtypes are functionally linked by means of a loop. If one is addressed, the others too reply.
Talapotichil, is extremely efficient within the therapy of many psychosomatic, neurological and scalp associated issues.
Process of Doing Talapothichil
Like another Ayurveda remedy, Talapothichil too shall be completed methodically and the process includes three steps.
- Purva Karma – preparation and preliminary setting
- Pradhana Karma – the therapy correct (Talapothichil on this case)
- Paschat Karma – the post-treatment measures, rapid and late follow-ups
Purva Karma – preparation of the affected person, medicines and required equipments
Analyzing the illness and diseased – The illness or situation for which the remedy is being completed ought to be examined and completely analyzed. The doctor ought to shortlist the affected person and think about his or her eligibility for the remedy in query (Talapothichil). The affected person too shall be completely examined. Detailed case historical past shall be documented.
Assortment of elements and equipments wanted for therapy
- Powder of Amalaki – ought to be taken in a amount which might suffice for making ready paste sufficient to be utilized on your complete scalp of the affected person being handled.
- Different Churnas – As per want and relying on the situation being dealt with, powders of Brahmi, Bhringaraja or Chandana may be used rather than Amalaki. The doctor may customise the powder by mixing 2 or extra powders which aren’t mutually contradictory in properties.
- TAKRA – Buttermilk – adequate sufficient to soak the Amalaki Churna.
- Patra – Leaves – banana or lotus leaves for overlaying and packing up.
- Good seating association – a snug seating association shall be made for the affected person to sit down to bear the therapy.
- Taila – oil for head therapeutic massage ought to be saved prepared.
- Sukhoshna Udaka – heat water for wiping the pinnacle / head wash additionally shall be saved prepared.
Protecting the affected person prepared for the therapy – The affected person is requested to evacuate his bowel and bladder and sit on the chair / seat supplied to him comfortably.
Preparation of medicinal paste – Delicate Amalaki powder is saved immersed in buttermilk and left in a single day. Ideally, a mud pot could also be used for storing buttermilk soaked with Amalaki powder. Subsequent morning, the soaked powder is correctly grinded and its paste ready. The identical process is adopted even when different natural powders personalized for Talapothichil are chosen.
Now, we’re able to go forward and do the therapy.
Pradhana Karma – the primary process of conducting Talapothichil
Seating the affected person – The affected person / one that is about to bear Talapothichil therapy ought to be made to sit down comfortably on an assigned / pre-designed seat.
Shiro Abhyanga – A delicate head therapeutic massage with particular (really helpful) oil or natural oil is given by an skilled and educated therapist.
Shiro Lepa – Software of medicinal paste – The medicinal paste is utilized over the scalp. It ought to be roughly 0.5-1 cm. It ought to be of uniform thickness alongside your complete scalp. A small pit is made on the centre of the utilized paste, coinciding with the purpose over the crown. On this pit, heat medicated oil is stuffed.
Masking the layer of paste – Now, banana or lotus leaf / leaves and fabric (bandage) are lined over the scalp, overlaying the utilized paste. The pit through which the oil is stuffed ought to be left uncovered, not overlaying it with the leaf / fabric. After this, to maintain the overlaying of leaves intact, they’re tied in place with a sterile bandage fabric.
Length of utility – The utilized paste is left in place, over the scalp of the pinnacle for roughly 30-60 minutes.
Paschat Karma – follow-up procedures
After preserving the medicinal paste in place for a stipulated time frame, the doctor / therapist ought to gently take away the bandage fabric, after which the leaves. After this, the utilized paste ought to be gently eliminated.
Shiro Abhyanga – Head therapeutic massage ought to be given with medicated oil. As an prolonged half, neck and shoulder therapeutic massage will also be given.
Head Wash – Following head-wash, the affected person ought to be given a head-wash with lukewarm water.
Relaxation – The affected person is suggested to relaxation for some time, particularly if the affected person has taken therapy on an out-patient foundation and if there’s a plan of discharge. For the reason that therapy is calming, one could also be drowsy after the therapy. It’s not good for the affected person to instantly drive dwelling in such a situation. The affected person can also be suggested to not get instantly uncovered to warmth or breeze. In case of in-patient method, the affected person could chill out in his or her ward.
Comply with-up notes – Comply with up prescription of medicines, dietetic advises and lifestyle-change advises shall be given to the affected person. She or he shall even be given the date for subsequent follow-up session or subsequent schedule of Talapothichil if wanted.
Advantages of Talapothichil
Doshic Motion – Calms Pitta and is extremely useful in coping with inflammatory illnesses of the pinnacle and sense organs, & inflammatory systemic illnesses.
Good for nerves and thoughts – Since Talapothichil is mainly a cooling remedy, it has a relaxing impact on the nervous system and thoughts. Other than this, it is rather a lot helpful in treating issues like nervousness and despair, dementia and other forms of psychological imbalances. It additionally retains the nervous system and thoughts in a wholesome state.
Relieves nervousness and stress and associated issues – As a result of its thoughts calming and cooling influence, it soothes the nerve discharges and helps in decreasing cortisol ranges. It acts as a tranquilizer, stress-reliever and a potent sedative. Additionally it is useful in nervousness issues.
Good treatment for insomnia – Calming the thoughts and balancing the pinnacle doshas, Talapothichil induces good sleep and therefore is a treatment for sleep deprivation and insomnia.
Good for hair, head and scalp well being – Talapothichil has a optimistic influence on hair and scalp well being. It’s a good treatment for untimely graying of hairs, hair-fall, dandruff and infections of scalp. It additionally strengthens the hair roots and permits progress of wholesome hairs. It makes the hair easy and enticing. The therapy additionally relaxes and rejuvenates the pinnacle and neck areas. It additionally balances moisture ranges within the scalp.
Helpful treatment for complications – Complications of Pitta or Pitta-Vata origin and Migraines may be managed properly by administering Talapotichil. This therapy may be successfully mixed with Nasya, Virechana and Vasti for higher outcomes. This remedy can also be efficient for individuals who are experiencing extreme warmth within the head and eyes.
Dosha Stability – Talapothichil is extremely efficient in opposition to Pitta. It helps in combating excessive pitta circumstances not solely pertaining to the pinnacle, but in addition systemic pitta circumstances. We all know that the therapies completed on the pinnacle, like Murdni Taila, Shirolepa and so forth have large-spectrum of motion and usually are not restricted to the illnesses of the pinnacle. When doshas are managed within the head, the influence is systemic. The opposite means can also be true. By controlling the pitta, the remedy is also a best-shot treatment for a lot of inflammatory circumstances.
Useful to bestow reminiscence, focus and psychological readability – Talapothichil will nourish the mind. The mind capabilities will enhance with the remedy. With this, the reminiscence, focus, focus, psychological readability and cognitive capabilities would enhance and get higher. The influence of pitta-calming natural pastes utilized within the remedy, would cut back irritation, extreme warmth within the head and irritability. The remedy stimulates the thoughts and makes it sharp and lively. The remedy additionally restores emotional stability.
Stimulates and prompts Marmas – Talapothichil and the procedures of utility of paste, head therapeutic massage – would activate and stimulate the Marmas of the pinnacle and neck, primarily Adhipati Marma. For the reason that therapy is completed over the pinnacle / scalp, there’s a optimistic useful influence on the opposite head marmas. The prana power is balanced and so are the three doshas positioned within the head – Prana Vayu, Sadhaka and Alochaka Pitta and Tarpaka Kapha. The illnesses attributable to the imbalance of those doshas are additionally addressed in the long term.
Indications for Talapothichil
The indications for Talapothichil can be all these circumstances talked about above within the context of advantages of the therapy. To sum up, these circumstances are –
– Ailments of the pinnacle,
– Extreme head head and pitta aggravation within the head and sense organs
– Burning sensation within the head and physique
– Excessive pitta issues affecting head, neck and sense organs
– Inflammatory illnesses of the pinnacle and neck together with related systemic inflammatory issues (trigger or impact)
– Complications and migraine
– Sleep issues / insomnia / sleep deprivation
– Ailments like dermatitis, dandruff – affecting the scalp
– Ailments of hairs – hair loss, untimely graying of hairs
– Psychological issues – stress, nervousness, lack of focus and focus, reminiscence issues, unmada, apasmara
– Hypertension and so forth.
Contraindications for Talapothichil
Talapothichil shouldn’t be administered within the beneath talked about circumstances –
– Extreme / power chilly and congestion
– Extreme sinusitis
– Acute and extreme respiratory illnesses
– Fever
Possible Mode of Motion of Talapothichil
The primary rules on which the mode of motion of Talapothichil relies upon are
– The motion and impact of medicinal properties of the elements of the paste used for Talapothichil
– The stress administered throughout Abhyanga – earlier than and after the remedy and the impact of properties of medicated oil used therein.
– Dosha balancing impact of Talapothichil paste, primarily inflicting pitta stability (or vata and kapha additionally, relying on the skilful determination of the doctor and customization of the medicines on the idea of dosha predominance)
– Attainable absorption of medicinal properties by the Siras on the scalp or influence of the identical on them. The richest blood provide in your complete physique is discovered within the dense subcutaneous connective tissue current amongst the scalp layers. When the sneha is utilized or when the pastes utilized on the scalp have sneha as an ingredient, the sneha crosses the cell membranes of the scalp and the lively medicinal compounds contained in them are instantly absorbed into the blood circulation or may need therapeutic impact on the cutaneous tissue and blood vessels.
– Activation of nerves and enhancing blood circulation
– Activation of Marma factors positioned on the pinnacle – primarily Adhipati and Simanta Marmas. This Marma additionally has a wealthy blood provide.
– Mixed impact of Vasodilatation and Vasoconstriction – Abhyanga completed initially would trigger vasodilatation and improve blood circulation within the siras. However, the cooling Kalkas utilized as part of Pradhana Karma of Talapothichil would trigger vasoconstriction which might chill out the nerves.
– Pitta alleviation – The cooling pastes utilized would alleviate pitta aggravation within the head and thus deal with irritation.
– Chakra influence – Talapothichil would have a optimistic influence on the Sahasrara Chakra – positioned across the crown of the pinnacle, which might in flip assist in balancing the associated energies and likewise the doshic imbalances taking place within the head (mind). Whereas the remedy works on the Head Marmas and Chakras, it will usher in psychological readability and emotional stability.
– The stress and mild motions utilized whereas massaging and making use of paste to the scalp throughout Talapothichil would promote absorption and penetration of medicinal properties whereas offering rest. The mixed impact additionally stimulates the scalp and improves blood circulation therein. The hair follicles are additionally nourished within the course of.
– Swedana – supplied throughout Thalapothichil additionally provides to the therapeutic impact. It opens up the pores within the scalp and allows medicinal absorption. It additionally brings about lightness. It could additionally contribute in the direction of scalp and hair well being.
Ought to Thalapothichil be completed just for Excessive Pitta circumstances?
As per observe, it’s popularly completed to fight excessive pitta circumstances and includes cooling elements to result in coolant impact within the head and therefore in your complete physique. This occurs because of the stability of your complete pitta ecosystem within the physique as soon as pitta is balanced within the head. It’s extremely efficient in inflammatory circumstances of the pinnacle, sense organs and your complete physique since irritation is attributable to excessive pitta. Subsequently, Thalapothichil, as a remedy, is not only restricted to ‘controlling pitta imbalances’ within the head.
Thalapothichil, is a variant and adopted observe of Shiro Lepa. Shiro Lepa, although has not been elaborately defined in Ayurveda treatises, the scattered references don’t specify or prohibit its utilization in ‘solely pitta’ imbalances and associated issues.
Thalapothichil remedy and its utilization may be prolonged for bringing about vata and kapha stability additionally and is completed by choosing dosha particular medicines / herbs and utilizing their pastes as per want.
The illnesses attributable to aggravated Rakta – blood can also be taken care of by the identical medicines utilized in pitta predominant circumstances.
Instance –
To stability Vata – herbs like Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and Bala (Sida cordifolia) shall be used. The bottom oil shall be Tila Taila, Bala Taila, Ksheerabala Taila or Dhanwantaram Taila. Thalapothichil with these herbs won’t solely stability Vata but in addition would remedy complications of vata origin, stress and nervousness and associated issues, psychological fatigue, insomnia and issues of Vata origin. Rasnadi Churna too shall even be used for Vata circumstances.
To stability Pitta – Amalaki Churna, as described earlier, shall be used together with Takra – buttermilk. Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) and Nimba (Azadirachta indica) may be used. The bottom oil right here shall be Nalikera Taila – coconut oil. Chandanadi Taila may be used. Complications of pitta origin and excessive pitta circumstances shall be handled with these recipes. The identical shall be used to deal with circumstances attributable to Rakta aggravation.
To stability Kapha – Musta Churna (Cyperus rotundus), Vacha Churna (Acorus calamus) or Shunti Churna (ginger) ought to be used for the remedy. Natural decoctions meant for mitigating Kapha or diluted buttermilk shall be used because the medium for preparation of paste. It helps in relieving heaviness of the pinnacle, complications of kapha origin, calm the thoughts and to deal with illnesses with cognitive dysfunctions.