Therapeutic Significance of Shiro Abhyanga or Head Massage
In Indian tradition we do an oil massage over the scalp and hair before every head bath. I have been using hair oil since childhood and mostly it would be home made. My mother used to prepare hair oil with coconut oil as base and infused with various herbs which are locally grown or available in our yard. Her favorite choices were Indian goose berry popularly known as Amalaki, red pearl onions, bhringaraj or eclipta alba, curry leaves etc. Growing up, I followed and practiced the same tradition for my daughter as well.
I have used many artificial hair styling products and services available like hair smoothing, coloring etc. I even faced a lot of hair problems because of those. But believe me when I say all those problems could be tackled with the use of medicated hair oils and certain herbs and Ayurveda therapies.
There are different treatment procedures mentioned in the classical text books for Head which are collectively called as 'Murdha Thaila'
Murdha Thaila or Application of oil over the head is classified in to 4 types.
Shiro Abhyanga - Head Massage
Shiro Seka/ Shiro dhara - Pouring medicated oil over the head
Shiro Pichu - Keeping cotton dipped in oil over the vertex
Shiro Vasti - Pooling/ Oil is kept in a compartment for a specific period of time
Each of these procedures has it's own benefits but as per scholar Vagbhata they are chronologically more efficient in the order mentioned.
But I would say the most easiest and reliable option you can follow is Shiro Abhyanga or Head Massage. All the Ayurveda scholars has mentioned Shiro abhyanga as a part of Dinacharya or daily regimen.
Let's look a bit in detail about Shiro Abhyanga
Regular application of oil in head, ears, and soles are emphasized by Ayurvedic treatise. 1
Though as a part of ‘Dinacharya’ or daily regimen daily head massage has been advised, therapeutic head massage or timely head massage as per the body constitution and disease should be performed for the prevention of Vata aggravation, psychosomatic diseases and neurological conditions.
Shiro abhyanga improves blood circulation to the head, application of oil reduces the dryness of the scalp due to its ‘snigdha’ or oily property. The oil is slightly heated at the time of application. The temperature creates a soothe at the site of application. The heat causes the blood vessels to dilate, which increases blood circulation and promotes healing, evacuation and cleansing of the secretory passages of sebaceous glands there by enhancing the absorption of oil. 2
Head massage as a part of daily regimen consist of soft and gentle massage of the scalp using own finger tips. By doing like this regularly the friction and hair loss can be prevented. Make sure you massage for at least 15 minutes in a day. Here the soft and gentle massage stimulates the blood vessels and ensure to improve the flow of blood to scalp region. Application of oil makes the scalp Snigdha or unctuous there by pacifying Vata and reducing the dryness and preventing the shedding of scales and dandruff. In addition the qualities of the herbs infused in the oil can benefit you more.
For example Brahmi, and Ayurveda herb is very effective in managing anxiety.3
Brahmi is a herb for calming brain and nervous system. is a brain tonic and enhances memory, intelligence and longevity. It has other effects such as pacification of vitiated and skin diseases, neuralgia, inflammations, epilepsy, insanity, ulcers, splenomegaly, flatulence, fever, and general debility. The alkaloid content of Brahmi is enhanced by preparing oil with this herb. This helps in deep penetration of the herb through the highly vascular scalp region. Therefore using a herbal oil infused with Brahmi can give significant improvement in sleep disturbances, restlessness, fear and depression.
In addition the pressure effect of our finger stimulating the shiro marmas and temperature of the oil further enhance the absorption of oil to the scalp.
What are the benefits of Shiroabhyanga as a part of Dinacharya or daily regimen?
Improves and rejuvenates central nervous system health.
Relieves pain, headaches, migraines, stress, and insomnia.
Improves vision, eye refraction errors, and eye strain.
Prevention of diseases pertaining to body, mind and sense organs.
Prevents diseases of Vata origin mainly degenerative diseases.
Prevents dryness of head and itching of scalp.
Improves hair growth and nourishes the hair roots.
Delays premature greying of hair.
Therapeutic Significance of Shiro Abhyanga
Before practicing Shiro abhyanga as a treatment procedure for a disease condition your Prakriti ( Constitution) and Vikriti need to be assessed. The Ayurvedic parameters for diagnosis and modern diagnostic procedures can help in examining the disease condition. In certain clinical condition the patient is asked to remove the hair or trim the hair as short as possible.
Next step is choosing the right oil depending upon your constitution and disease. For Vata and Kapha condition, the oil has to be slightly heated and for diseases with predominance of Pitta oil should be used in room temperature without heating.
Another important thing to remember is the oil used for abyanga should not be heated directly in fire. Instead should be heated by keeping it in a bowl and placing it in the top of boiling water. The oil should be allowed to be warm passively so that the medicinal properties are not lost.
Clinical studies supporting the use of Shiro abhyanga in various disease conditions -
The treatment options for improving the balance in degenerative cerebellar ataxias are very few. Ayurvedic therapy including Shiro abhyanga was found to be safe and, showed improvement in the balance in patients with progressive degenerative cerebellar ataxia.4
Anxiety has been defined as an unpleasant emotion described by Ayurveda as and chittodwega. A study undertaken which showed significant decrease in sleep disturbances, restlessness, fear, depression, and anxiety. A head massage once in every 3 days for 15 minutes in 5 patterns is done for 7 sittings on 30 patients. All the subjects were relived from stress and felt comfortable with good sleep patterns from the first sitting onwards. Brahmi thaila shiroabhyanga was found useful in anxiety neurosis and otheer similar conditions.
In Ayurvedic approach, loss of hair is coined out as in term of 'Khalitya' under the broad heading of Shiroroga. Khalitya is a disease with Vata-Pitta dominancy. Increased Pittadosha along with Vatadosha at the root of hair follicle causes hair fall and at the same time Kaphadosha with Raktdosha blocks the roots of hair follicle which results into Khalitya. A study on Khalitya chose Shamana nasya and shiro abhyanga on a group of patients and showed significant relief in thinning of hair and improving the dryness of hair. 6
I love many Ayurveda oils available in the Market. I usually use "Triphaladi Keram" which has Coconut oil as base and Triphala as main herb infused. It is mainly used in the treatment of headache, hair fall, grey hairs, etc.and also useful in split hairs, grey hairs,relieving headache, sinusitis, rhinitis,eyes, ear and throat. It is used for external application. It balances Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
You can always use/prepare oil as per your body constitution or doshas. I would be discussing more about hair care and oils for each body types and doshas in future blogs.
References -
Ashtanga Hridaya by Vagbhata 9th edition by Varanasi Chaukambha Orientalia ; 2005. pg 26
Perke B.M Evaluation of Role of Shiro Abhyanga with reference to Kesha swasthya (health of normal hair) Int. Res J. Pharm 2013; 4(3): 125-127
Madhavika Prakash Chaudhari, KSR Prasad,Brahmi Thail Shiro abhyanga in Chittodwega ( Anxiety neurosis), pp 127-131
Improvement of balance in progressive degenerative cerebellar ataxias after Ayurvedic therapy: a preliminary report. Neurol India. 2009 Mar-Apr;57(2):166-71. doi: 10.4103/0028-3886.51286.
Madhavika Prakash Chaudhari, KSR Prasad,Brahmi Thail Shiro abhyanga in Chittodwega ( Anxiety neurosis), pp 127-131
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 6(7) · July 2017
