Takradhara (Takra Dhara) Treatment: Procedure, Benefits and Uses
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Takradhara is an Ayurvedic therapy in which medicated buttermilk is poured in a continuous,
explains why the head is so important in Ayurveda, how the medicated buttermilk is prepared, how
the therapy is performed and what it does for the body.
Why the head is important in Ayurveda
The head is one of the three vital spots (trimarma) of the body and the seat of prana (life). As per the
ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, a person is like a peepal tree with its roots upwards, meaning that the
head on top controls the trunk below. The brain, located in the head, is the seat of intellect, memory
and mental faculties. All the sense organs are also located in the head.
What is Shirodhara?
Shirodhara is the process of pouring a liquid in a continuous stream over the forehead for thirty to
forty-five minutes. During the therapy, the head is mildly stroked to allow deep relaxation.
Shirodhara is done using different ingredients, depending on the aggravated dosha, the age of the
person, the season, agni (metabolism), place and prakriti. Some of the ingredients used are:
•Medicated oil
•Kashaya (decoction)
•Medicated milk
What is Takradhara used for?
Dhara, the rhythmic flow of medicated buttermilk over the forehead, is a therapy often used in
Kerala in the treatment protocol of:
•Anxiety
•Migraine headaches
•Psoriasis spectrum
•Insomnia
•IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
How the medicated buttermilk is prepared
1. Boil one and a half litres of milk with musta and three times the quantity of water, until all
the added water evaporates.
2. Add other drugs, such as tamarind leaves, aragvadha bark and pepper, depending on the
condition of the patient.
3. Mix the medicated milk with buttermilk to initiate curdling.
4. On the next day, mix 500 ml of amalaki (gooseberry) decoction with the medicated curd and
churn it to extract the butter. This gives the medicated buttermilk.
This preparation is primarily used for dhara to relieve stress, psychosomatic ailments and migraine
headaches.
How Takradhara is performed
1.The person lies in the supine position on the treatment table.
2.A cotton thread or varthi is placed on the eyebrows.
3.The medicated buttermilk is poured into the dhara pot and slowly starts to fall on the forehead of the person, who lies calmly while the therapist gently strokes the head.
Takradhara is usually performed in the evening for 45 minutes. Unlike most medicines used for
dhara, the buttermilk is not heated. The therapy is done on consecutive days for a period of five to
seven days.
Benefits of Takradhara
Deep relaxation:
Takradhara takes a person into a state of deep relaxation, with reduced muscle tension all over the body, and aids in normalising blood pressure.
Stress and sleep:
The calmness felt by the person helps to reduce stress, induces sleep and allows the body to relax and heal.
Skin and circulation:
In some conditions, skin that is dry on the outside has stagnant lymph
underneath. Buttermilk is drying in nature, so it cleanses the kleda (sliminess) under the skin,
improving the circulation below.
Passive meditation:
Takradhara is a form of passive meditation.
FAQs
What is Takradhara?
It is an Ayurvedic therapy in which medicated buttermilk flows in a rhythmic stream over the forehead. It is a form of Shirodhara.
How long does a Takradhara session last?
It is usually performed in the evening for 45 minutes.
How many days is Takradhara done?
It is done on consecutive days for a period of five to seven days.
Is the buttermilk heated for Takradhara?
No. Unlike most medicines used for dhara, the medicated buttermilk is not heated.
What conditions is Takradhara used for?
In Kerala, it is often used in the treatment protocol of anxiety, migraine headaches, psoriasis spectrum, insomnia and IBS. The
preparation is primarily used to relieve stress, psychosomatic ailments and migraine headaches.
How is the medicated buttermilk for Takradhara prepared?
Milk is boiled with musta and water, other drugs are added according to the condition, and the medicated milk is curdled.
Amalaki decoction is then churned into the curd to extract the butter, giving the medicated buttermilk.
Book a Takradhara consultation
The ingredients and plan for dhara depend on your dosha, age, season, agni and prakriti. Book a consultation at Nerium Ayurveda, Kakkanad, Kochi, or explore our other Ayurvedic treatments.
