Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S
Meaning of Talapothichil
‘Talapothichil’ is a Malayalam word which can be split as Tala + Pothichil.
Tala – means head
Pothichil – means covering
Note – Thalaphothichil or Thalapothichil or Talapothichil – it can be written in all ways. They are one and the same.
Introduction
Talapothichil is an Ayurveda treatment which is popularly practiced in Kerala. It is an effective treatment for many diseases. Basically it is a variant of Shiro-Lepa which means application of medicines over the scalp of the head and leaving it in place for a certain period of time by covering and tying it in place with the help of some medicinal leaves. In modern words it is a therapy which correlates to ‘medicinal head pack’ and includes anointing the head. Though Talapothichil originates from Kerala, the Shiro-Lepa was never new for Ayurveda.
Principle of treatment
In Talapothichil, a thick layer of medicinal herbal paste, prepared and customized with herbs specific for the diseases which are being treated, is applied over the entire head (scalp). Basically the therapy is cooling in nature and is good for the head, nerves and sense organs. It is also good for scalp and hairs.
Shira / Tala – is considered as Uttamanga – best organ – in Ayurveda. Treatments done on the head (like Murdni Taila, Shiro-Lepa or Talapothichil etc) not only have their positive health impact on head, brain, nerves and sense organs, they also have systemic action. They do so by balancing the dosha fluctuations in the head, mainly Prana Vayu, Sadhaka Pitta, Tarpaka Kapha and Alochaka Pitta. These doshas, as we know, have their own interior network. All dosha subtypes are functionally connected through a loop. If one is addressed, the others too respond.
Talapotichil, is highly effective in the treatment of many psychosomatic, neurological and scalp related disorders.
Procedure of Doing Talapothichil
Like any other Ayurveda therapy, Talapothichil too shall be done methodically and the procedure comprises three steps.
- Purva Karma – preparation and initial setting
- Pradhana Karma – the treatment proper (Talapothichil in this case)
- Paschat Karma – the post-treatment measures, immediate and late follow-ups
Purva Karma – preparation of the patient, medicines and required equipments
Examining the disease and diseased – The disease or condition for which the therapy is being done should be examined and thoroughly analyzed. The physician should shortlist the patient and consider his or her eligibility for the therapy in question (Talapothichil). The patient too shall be thoroughly examined. Detailed case history shall be documented.
Collection of ingredients and equipments needed for treatment
- Powder of Amalaki – should be taken in a quantity which would suffice for preparing paste enough to be applied on the entire scalp of the patient being treated.
- Other Churnas – As per need and depending on the condition being handled, powders of Brahmi, Bhringaraja or Chandana may also be used in place of Amalaki. The physician can also customize the powder by mixing 2 or more powders which are not mutually contradictory in properties.
- TAKRA – Buttermilk – sufficient enough to soak the Amalaki Churna.
- Patra – Leaves – banana or lotus leaves for covering and packing up.
- Good seating arrangement – a comfortable seating arrangement shall be made for the patient to sit to undergo the treatment.
- Taila – oil for head massage should be kept ready.
- Sukhoshna Udaka – warm water for wiping the head / head wash also shall be kept ready.
Keeping the patient ready for the treatment – The patient is asked to evacuate his bowel and bladder and sit on the chair / seat provided to him comfortably.
Preparation of medicinal paste – Soft Amalaki powder is kept immersed in buttermilk and left overnight. Preferably, a mud pot may be used for storing buttermilk soaked with Amalaki powder. Next morning, the soaked powder is properly grinded and its paste prepared. The same procedure is followed even when other herbal powders customized for Talapothichil are chosen.
Now, we are ready to go ahead and do the treatment.
Pradhana Karma – the main procedure of conducting Talapothichil
Seating the patient – The patient / person who is about to undergo Talapothichil treatment should be made to sit comfortably on an assigned / pre-designed seat.
Shiro Abhyanga – A gentle head massage with specific (recommended) oil or herbal oil is given by an experienced and trained therapist.
Shiro Lepa – Application of medicinal paste – The medicinal paste is applied over the scalp. It should be roughly 0.5-1 cm. It should be of uniform thickness along the entire scalp. A small pit is made at the centre of the applied paste, coinciding with the point over the crown. In this pit, warm medicated oil is filled.
Covering the layer of paste – Now, banana or lotus leaf / leaves and cloth (bandage) are covered over the scalp, covering the applied paste. The pit in which the oil is filled should be left exposed, not covering it with the leaf / cloth. After this, to keep the covering of leaves intact, they are tied in place with a sterile bandage cloth.
Duration of application – The applied paste is left in place, over the scalp of the head for approximately 30-60 minutes.
Paschat Karma – follow-up procedures
After keeping the medicinal paste in place for a stipulated period of time, the physician / therapist should gently remove the bandage cloth, and then the leaves. After this, the applied paste should be gently removed.
Shiro Abhyanga – Head massage should be given with medicated oil. As an extended part, neck and shoulder massage can also be given.
Head Wash – Following head-wash, the patient should be given a head-wash with lukewarm water.
Rest – The patient is advised to rest for a while, especially if the patient has taken treatment on an out-patient basis and if there is a plan of discharge. Since the treatment is calming, one may be drowsy after the treatment. It is not good for the patient to immediately drive home in such a condition. The patient is also advised to not get immediately exposed to heat or breeze. In case of in-patient approach, the patient may relax in his or her ward.
Follow-up notes – Follow up prescription of medicines, dietetic advises and lifestyle-change advises shall be given to the patient. He or she shall also be given the date for next follow-up consultation or next schedule of Talapothichil if needed.
Benefits of Talapothichil
Doshic Action – Calms Pitta and is highly beneficial in dealing with inflammatory diseases of the head and sense organs, & inflammatory systemic diseases.
Good for nerves and mind – Since Talapothichil is basically a cooling therapy, it has a calming effect on the nervous system and mind. Apart from this, it is very much useful in treating disorders like anxiety and depression, dementia and other kinds of mental imbalances. It also keeps the nervous system and mind in a healthy state.
Relieves anxiety and stress and related disorders – Due to its mind calming and cooling impact, it soothes the nerve discharges and helps in lowering cortisol levels. It acts as a tranquilizer, stress-reliever and a potent sedative. It is also beneficial in anxiety disorders.
Good remedy for insomnia – Calming the mind and balancing the head doshas, Talapothichil induces good sleep and hence is a remedy for sleep deprivation and insomnia.
Good for hair, head and scalp health – Talapothichil has a positive impact on hair and scalp health. It is a good remedy for premature graying of hairs, hair-fall, dandruff and infections of scalp. It also strengthens the hair roots and allows growth of healthy hairs. It makes the hair smooth and attractive. The treatment also relaxes and rejuvenates the head and neck regions. It also balances moisture levels in the scalp.
Useful remedy for headaches – Headaches of Pitta or Pitta-Vata origin and Migraines can be managed well by administering Talapotichil. This treatment can be effectively combined with Nasya, Virechana and Vasti for better results. This therapy is also effective for those who are experiencing excessive heat in the head and eyes.
Dosha Balance – Talapothichil is highly effective against Pitta. It helps in combating high pitta conditions not only pertaining to the head, but also systemic pitta conditions. We know that the treatments done on the head, like Murdni Taila, Shirolepa etc have large-spectrum of action and are not limited to the diseases of the head. When doshas are controlled in the head, the impact is systemic. The other way is also true. By controlling the pitta, the therapy also is a best-shot remedy for many inflammatory conditions.
Beneficial to bestow memory, focus and mental clarity – Talapothichil will nourish the brain. The brain functions will improve with the therapy. With this, the memory, focus, concentration, mental clarity and cognitive functions would improve and get better. The impact of pitta-calming herbal pastes applied in the therapy, would reduce inflammation, excessive heat in the head and irritability. The therapy stimulates the mind and makes it sharp and active. The therapy also restores emotional balance.
Stimulates and activates Marmas – Talapothichil and the procedures of application of paste, head massage – would activate and stimulate the Marmas of the head and neck, mainly Adhipati Marma. Since the treatment is done over the head / scalp, there is a positive beneficial impact on the other head marmas. The prana energy is balanced and so are the three doshas located in the head – Prana Vayu, Sadhaka and Alochaka Pitta and Tarpaka Kapha. The diseases caused by the imbalance of these doshas are also addressed in the long run.
Indications for Talapothichil
The indications for Talapothichil will be all those conditions mentioned above in the context of benefits of the treatment. To sum up, these conditions are –
– Diseases of the head,
– Excessive head head and pitta aggravation in the head and sense organs
– Burning sensation in the head and body
– High pitta disorders affecting head, neck and sense organs
– Inflammatory diseases of the head and neck along with associated systemic inflammatory disorders (cause or effect)
– Headaches and migraine
– Sleep disorders / insomnia / sleep deprivation
– Diseases like dermatitis, dandruff – affecting the scalp
– Diseases of hairs – hair loss, premature graying of hairs
– Mental disorders – stress, anxiety, loss of focus and concentration, memory disorders, unmada, apasmara
– Hypertension etc.
Contraindications for Talapothichil
Talapothichil should not be administered in the below mentioned conditions –
– Severe / chronic cold and congestion
– Severe sinusitis
– Acute and severe respiratory diseases
– Fever
Probable Mode of Action of Talapothichil
The main principles on which the mode of action of Talapothichil is based upon are
– The action and effect of medicinal properties of the ingredients of the paste used for Talapothichil
– The pressure administered during Abhyanga – before and after the therapy and the effect of properties of medicated oil used therein.
– Dosha balancing effect of Talapothichil paste, mainly causing pitta balance (or vata and kapha also, depending on the skilful decision of the physician and customization of the medicines on the basis of dosha predominance)
– Possible absorption of medicinal properties by the Siras on the scalp or impact of the same on them. The richest blood supply in the entire body is found in the dense subcutaneous connective tissue present amongst the scalp layers. When the sneha is applied or when the pastes applied on the scalp have sneha as an ingredient, the sneha crosses the cell membranes of the scalp and the active medicinal compounds contained in them are directly absorbed into the blood circulation or might have therapeutic effect on the cutaneous tissue and blood vessels.
– Activation of nerves and enhancing blood circulation
– Activation of Marma points located on the head – mainly Adhipati and Simanta Marmas. This Marma also has a rich blood supply.
– Combined effect of Vasodilatation and Vasoconstriction – Abhyanga done initially would cause vasodilatation and enhance blood circulation in the siras. On the other hand, the cooling Kalkas applied as a part of Pradhana Karma of Talapothichil would cause vasoconstriction which would relax the nerves.
– Pitta alleviation – The cooling pastes applied would alleviate pitta aggravation in the head and thus address inflammation.
– Chakra impact – Talapothichil would have a positive impact on the Sahasrara Chakra – located around the crown of the head, which would in turn help in balancing the related energies and also the doshic imbalances happening in the head (brain). While the therapy works on the Head Marmas and Chakras, it would bring in mental clarity and emotional stability.
– The pressure and gentle motions applied while massaging and applying paste to the scalp during Talapothichil would promote absorption and penetration of medicinal properties while providing relaxation. The combined effect also stimulates the scalp and improves blood circulation therein. The hair follicles are also nourished in the process.
– Swedana – provided during Thalapothichil also adds to the therapeutic effect. It opens up the pores in the scalp and enables medicinal absorption. It also brings about lightness. It would also contribute towards scalp and hair health.
Should Thalapothichil be done only for High Pitta conditions?
As per practice, it is popularly done to combat high pitta conditions and comprises cooling ingredients to bring about coolant effect in the head and hence in the entire body. This happens due to the balance of the entire pitta ecosystem in the body once pitta is balanced in the head. It is highly effective in inflammatory conditions of the head, sense organs and the entire body since inflammation is caused by high pitta. Therefore, Thalapothichil, as a therapy, is not just limited to ‘controlling pitta imbalances’ in the head.
Thalapothichil, is a variant and adopted practice of Shiro Lepa. Shiro Lepa, though has not been elaborately explained in Ayurveda treatises, the scattered references do not specify or restrict its usage in ‘only pitta’ imbalances and related disorders.
Thalapothichil therapy and its usage can be extended for bringing about vata and kapha balance also and is done by selecting dosha specific medicines / herbs and using their pastes as per need.
The diseases caused by aggravated Rakta – blood is also taken care of by the same medicines used in pitta predominant conditions.
Example –
To balance Vata – herbs like Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and Bala (Sida cordifolia) shall be used. The base oil shall be Tila Taila, Bala Taila, Ksheerabala Taila or Dhanwantaram Taila. Thalapothichil with these herbs will not only balance Vata but also would cure headaches of vata origin, stress and anxiety and related disorders, mental fatigue, insomnia and disorders of Vata origin. Rasnadi Churna too shall also be used for Vata conditions.
To balance Pitta – Amalaki Churna, as described earlier, shall be used along with Takra – buttermilk. Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) and Nimba (Azadirachta indica) may also be used. The base oil here shall be Nalikera Taila – coconut oil. Chandanadi Taila may also be used. Headaches of pitta origin and high pitta conditions shall be treated with these recipes. The same shall be used to treat conditions caused by Rakta aggravation.
To balance Kapha – Musta Churna (Cyperus rotundus), Vacha Churna (Acorus calamus) or Shunti Churna (ginger) should be used for the therapy. Herbal decoctions meant for mitigating Kapha or diluted buttermilk shall be used as the medium for preparation of paste. It helps in relieving heaviness of the head, headaches of kapha origin, calm the mind and to treat diseases with cognitive dysfunctions.
