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A rheological study of human cranial cavity in shirodhara procedure using finite element method

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Shirodhara is a classical Ayurvedic therapy involving the continuous pouring of medicated liquids on the forehead to treat stress, insomnia, migraines, and neurological disorders. However, its underlying biomechanical mechanisms remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To simulate and analyze the biomechanical response of cranial tissues during Shirodhara using water, cow milk, and sesame oil, investigate the rheological behavior of the human cranial vault and assess their relative therapeutic efficacy. METHODS: A forehead-skull model is developed in ANSYS Workbench to simulate fluid impact under controlled flow conditions. Key parameters such as velocity distribution, pressure gradient, total deformation, shear stress, and von Mises stress are evaluated for each fluid. RESULTS: Sesame oil exhibits the highest velocity (1.13 m/s), pressure gradient (up to 587 Pa), and shear stress due to its greater viscosity and density. This resulted in more pronounced micro-stresses and tissue deformations compared to milk and water. CONCLUSION: Sesame oil demonstrated the most effective mechanical interaction with the cranial structure during Shirodhara, which correlates with its well-documented benefits in anxiety reduction, improved sleep, and nervous system regulation.

Source: Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine

DOI: 10.1016/j.jaim.2025.101263

Authors: K. Sivaselvi, E. Abhishek, M. Abhijith, V. Gautham, P.V. Anandaraman Sharma

Institutions: Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi

Language: English

Topic: Elasticity and Material Modeling

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,800