FINAL YEAR PROJECT

B M S COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Bull Temple Road,Bangalore-560019.

DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL ELECTRONICS

FINAL YEAR PROJECT

TITLE : Design and Development of Electronic Instrumentation

in the Shirodhara Equipment

BY :

NAME

USN

MADHUSUDANA.H.J

1BM13ML015

RAGHURAMAN N.S

1BM13ML024

V .VIGNESHA

1BM13ML027

Research Guide : Dr. JOSHI MANISHA SHIVARAM

Design and Development of

Electronic Instrumentation in the Shirodhara Equipment
Abstract:

A design comprising of one of the ancient principles of Ayurveda(Shirodhara) and modern

Instrumentation, with its simplicity and pure design that invites us to experience the healing
power developed by the physicians and sages.
The drawbacks in the classical method are that the oil must be removed and heated and reused or a
fresh oil must be used but theres no scope for automatic recycling and heating of the oil. A physician
must be present throughout the process. Hence requires too much effort. On the contrary, in the
modern technology the temperature of the oil can be maintained constant also the recycling is
continuous theres no wastage of fluids. Human monitoring is not required at all and can be used
anywhere without any difficulty carrying around.

Introduction
Practiced for more than 5,000 years, Shirodhara oil treatment originates from India and is based on
the ancient principles of Ayurvedic medicine. Translated from the Sanskrit as a holistic healing
science, Ayurveda aims to harmonize the body, mind, senses, and soul.
Shirodhara is a form of Ayurveda therapy that involves gently pouring liquids over the forehead and
can
be
one
of
the
steps
involved
in Panchakarma.
The
name
comes
from
the Sanskrit words shiro (head) and dhara (flow). The liquids used in shirodhara depend on what is
being treated but can include oil, milk, buttermilk, coconut water, or even plain water.

The soothing and fragrant oils flow in a continuous stream for about 30 minutes. A person is
quickly transported to a calm place! The sesame oil also nourishes hair and scalp before they are
captured in a basin below.

As the oil flows onto the third eye, it is said to have a balancing effect on the deepest recesses
of the brain, while stimulating the endocrine system's pituitary and pineal glands. The procedure
is also said to synchronize alpha brain waves, enhance blood circulation to the brain, improve
mental clarity, and release deeply trapped toxins.
Shirodhara addresses the emotions of stress and anxiety by offering a gentle stimulation to the
nervous system in hopes of reestablishing the mind-body connection. When our brain perceives
the oil flowing onto our agni, or third eye, it begins to release chemicals that create a stillness in
the mind and calmness in the body. This is very pivotal for clients suffering from high anxiety,
insomnia, PTSD, hair loss, migraines, depression or exhaustion.

Problem Definition:

Due to the lack of compatibility with modern technology, based on the principles of Ayurveda theres
a requirement for modification in the design to serve the need of the present day and go hand in
hand with the ancient methodology, without compromising the actual quality of the actual Procedure

Literature Survey: Serial No

Name of the
author/journal/paper/book/
website

Methodology Employed

Remarks/Significance

Pharmaco-PhysioPsychologic Effect of
Ayurvedic Oil-Dripping
Treatment Using an
Essential Oil from
Lavendula angustifolia
Fenghao Xu, M.D.,1,2
Kazuo Uebaba, M.D.,
Ph.D.,1,2 Hiroko Ogawa,
M.S.1,2 Takeshi Tatsuse,
B.C.,3 Bing-Hong Wang,
Ph.D.,4 Tatsuya Hisajima,
Ph.D.,5 and Sonia
Venkatraman, M.S.6

The robotic oil-drip

system was used to
perform reproducible
methods under the
most effective and
safest conditions, at
39C in the nozzle,
and with an oil flow
rate of 2.3 L/min for
30 minutes

Psychoneuroimmunologic
Effects of Ayurvedic OilDripping Treatment
Kazuo Uebaba, M.D.,
Ph.D.,1,2 Feng-Hao Xu,
M.D.,1,2 Hiroko Ogawa,
M.S.,1,2 Takashi Tatsuse,
B.C.,3 Bing-Hong Wang,
Ph.D.,4 Tatsuya Hisajima,
Ph.D.,5 and Sonia
Venkatraman6

The psycho-physiologic
effects of lavender
Shirodhara would be
brought about by three
mechanisms: (1) the
well-known relaxing
action of essential oils
from L. angustifolia (2)
the pharmacologic action
of substances absorbed
through the skin (3) the
physiologic effect of
sesame oil dripped on
the forehead induced by
the somato-autonomic
reflex
This study assessed the
psychoneuroimmunologic
changes achieved by
Shirodhara, an Ayurvedic
treatment, characterized
by dripping oil on the
forehead, in a
randomized, controlled
protocol involving a
novel approach using a
robotic system

SHODHANA CHIKITSA IN
COMPARISON WITH STRESS
PHYSIOLOGY A BIOMEDICAL
VIEW Dinesh K. S. Deepti
Nair1 Smitha K. K.2
Vaidyaratnam P. S. Varier
Ayurveda College, Kottakkal,
Kerala, India 1Ahalya
Ayurveda Medical College,
Palakkad, Kerala, India 2P. S.
M. College of Dental sciences
and Research, Akkikkavu,
Thrissur, Kerala, Indi

Application of stress
physiology is one among
several tools to explain
the effects of SC.
Snehana and Swedana
are procedures in which
a metabolic and thermal
Eustress is being
introduced in to the
human system by using
high dose of fat and heat
respectively.

The above
Shirodhara
methodology is
comparitevly efficient
When compared with
stress physiology.

Methodology: -

These results indicate

that Shirodhara has
anxiolytic and ASCinducing effects, and it
promotes a decrease of
noradrenaline and
exhibits a
sympatholytic effect,
resulting in the
activation of peripheral
foot skin circulation and
mmunopotentiation.

The person who has to undergo the Shirodhara treatment lies on a table. The Shirodhara vessel is a
wide mouthed bowl with a small hole at the bottom and a wick is inserted through the hole. This
vessel is hung over the head of the person such that the wick is about two inches above the forehead
of the person. The vessel is filled with the required medium and is made to flow in a continuous
stream through the wick onto the upper part of the forehead. A cloth or cotton pad is placed above
the forehead to prevent the medium flowing to the eyes.
The warm oil or other medium used, is collected, re-circulated, and the process continues for a
certain duration as suggested by the practitioner. On completion of the flow of oil, the client is
allowed to rest for a few minutes, before the residual oil is wiped from the hair. It is recommended to
rest quietly for at least a few hours after this treatment. At Ayurvedagram, lukewarm herbal oil is
poured in a continuous stream onto the forehead, while receiving a gentle massage on the head in a
Shirodhara therapy.

Design Steps: 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Oil Temperature control system using PIC Microcontroller

Oil Flow rate control system using solenoid valves
Oil pumping and Recycling Storage system
External architecture of the machine
Combining of the mechanical and electrical system

Benefits: 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Simple and Easy to use system

Lesser manpower required for monitoring
Brisk change in temperature Is possible
It is a portable system
Automatic recycling thus no wastage of oil

Results: - A fully automated functional and portable Shirodhara machine which comprises of in-built
oil temperature control along with self-efficient recycling process and flow rate control system.