A proper
‘Head Massage’ is the most effective way to ease stress and relax. Shahnaz Husain, who received international
acclaim for pioneering the Herbal beauty care movement and taking the Indian
herbal heritage of Ayurveda worldwide, writes…

 I’m often
asked if oil massages help in keeping the hair healthy. Actually, the application
of oil with a light massage helps to soften the texture of hair and stimulates
blood circulation to the follicles. The hair is fed by nutrients in the
bloodstream. So good blood circulation to follicles helps in nutrition supply
and is thus vital for healthy hair.

 Stress has
assumed alarming dimensions in today’s world. Hectic schedules, work
commitments, responsibilities and challenges… all these put the body and the
mind under stress. Besides health-related issues, stress can have its toll on
the skin and the hair. That’s why ‘Head Massage’ is among the popular services
in salons and spas. Indeed, it’s highly effective in easing stress symptoms,
bringing about relaxation and a sense of peace and tranquility.

 The ‘Head
Massage’ treatments include the Ayurvedic Rejuvenating Head Massage, which is
done with a combination of oils and extracts. The kind of extracts used for the
hair and the scalp includes ingredients like amla (Indian gooseberry), bael
(Indian quince), bhringaraj (eclipta
alba), brahmi (Indian pennywort) and
so on. Pure olive oil, coconut oil or sesame seed oil may be used. Many of the
ingredients, like brahmi, are known
to induce relaxation and help stress-related hair problems. When the oil is
warmed and applied, it gets absorbed through the roots. This helps to nourish
and strengthen the roots and the scalp. The massage helps to improve
circulation of blood and lymph, while supplying fresh oxygen to the brain. It
also enhances circulation of the spinal fluid. All these refresh the body, relieve
tension and reduce fatigue.

 Ayurveda
recognises specific points, called marmas,
on the body and the head, where massage has specific benefits. The marma points are massaged gently, using
circular motions in a clockwise direction. Pressure is also applied and
released gently.

 Massage of
the head is popular in Ayurveda. According to Ayurvedic tradition, the Mardhi Marma, or crown of the head, is
said to be the point where blood vessels and nerves meet. It also helps in
rectifying dosha imbalances as all the
three doshas are said to meet at this point. To determine this point, measure
eight finger widths from above the eyebrows, towards the centre of the head.
Choose from pure almond oil, pure sesame seed (til) oil or pure olive oil. Warm the oil. The oil should be poured
onto the centre of the head.

 Smoothen the
oil by massaging both sides of the scalp, in the direction of the ears. Pour
some oil on the back of the head and massage oil along the sides and the back
of the head. The marma points are to
be massaged gently, rubbing in small clockwise circles, increasing and
releasing pressure gradually. Gentle tapping movements should be followed all
over the head, to stimulate circulation. With your fingers, rub all over the
scalp and try to move the skin of the scalp gently.

 Then there is
the Champi Massage of India, which
has actually become very popular in other countries. We have introduced it in
our salons and spas abroad. It gives a feeling of deep relaxation and involves
gentle and deep strokes, as well as soft thumping on the scalp with the palm.
Here too, pressure is applied at different marma
points.

 Champi is a
rhythmic massage, which employs various techniques of applying and releasing
pressure, stroking, thumping, etc. Again, combinations of oils are used, which
actually help to strengthen the hair, nourish it and make it healthy and
lustrous. The Champi massage is also said to help with detoxification, apart
from improving blood circulation. It reduces stress and anxiety and helps in
relieving muscular and skeletal tension. It’s useful in treating depression and
insomnia.

 Today, we
recognize the various benefits of ‘Head Massage’. It not only induces
relaxation, but eases pain in the shoulders and the back of the neck. It also
relieves eye strain, which is most relevant to our times, when we spend so much
time gazing at mobiles, televisions and computer screens. It also detoxifies
the body and encourages lymphatic drainage, not to mention the benefits for the
hair, in terms of healthy, lustrous hair.