The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c4.s4.6

c4.s4.6

शिरोवस्ति *Sirovasti*, etc. or applications to the head. Oils or other fluids are applied to the head in four different ways. The first form called *Sirovasti*, consists in tying a piece of leather four and a half inches in breadth all round the head, luting its lower margin to the skin by a paste of the pulse called *máshakaláya* and then filling the cavity thus formed on the top of the head with lukewarm oil. The oil is directed to be retained till relief of pain, or till there is discharge from the eyes and nose. It should then be removed and the head washed with warm water. This sort of medication is said to be useful in severe headache and shaking of the head. In the second form, oil or other fluid is poured in a stream on the head. This is called *Parisheka*. In the third form, called *Pichu*, cotton soaked in oil is applied to the scalp; and in the fourth, called *Avyanga*, the oil is simply rubbed on the head.