Hair Oiling and DIY Ayurvedic Head Massage

Having my head massaged with herbal oils is one of the earliest memories I have of my grandmother. Sitting in our home’s courtyard as the early morning sun kissed my upturned face I fondly remember my grandmother pouring warm herbal oil and her loving intentions onto the top of mine and my sister’s head and then massaging it into our scalp and hair. This was followed by massaging our entire bodies in oil. We called this our weekly ‘oil bath’ and it was a standard practice in our home.

These days while I massage my whole body in the morning, an Ayurvedic practice called Abhyanga, giving myself a nightly head massage along with a foot massage is a ritual I have been enjoying every night before bed and the benefits for my quality of sleep, reduced anxiety and soft, healthy hair are priceless. Once a week I like to indulge in a longer hair and scalp ritual.

My Nightly Hair Ritual

As a nightly practice I warm a few drops of Aika Hair Anoint in my hands and then apply it onto the Marma points (vital energy points) on my scalp and massage for about 5 minutes.

My Weekly Hair Ritual

As a weekly ritual I will place my bottle of Aika Hair Anoint in a small bowl of hot water or sit it in hot water in my sink to heat up. Once it is nice and warm (never burning) I pour a generous amount along the middle part of my head and massage it in well over my whole scalp from the roots to the tips until each strand is well coated. I tie up my hair while I go about my day, have a bath or give myself a facial and after a couple of hours I wash it out leaving my hair beautifully soft, shiny and smelling divine.

5-STEP AYURVEDIC MARMA HEAD MASSAGE

Marma points or ‘secret points’ are the vital energy points in your body located at the junction of where two or more tissues meet such as muscles, veins, ligaments, bones or joints. They are also the point at where Nadis, the subtle energy pathways of Prana or life force begin and end, and it is here that Prana exits the subtle body and enters the physical body. Most people have heard of the seven main Chakras which are major Marmas found along the spine.

While there are 31 Marmas all over our head you can focus on the 5 main ones on the scalp covered in the 5 Step easy and enjoyable method which is what I use below. Don’t worry too much about getting the exact spots right as if you massage these general areas you will definitely feel the benefits.

Step One

Start by placing your palms over your eyes and turning your focus internally, this is your moment to quieten your mind and become immersed in the awareness of your ‘home-body’. Take some deep breaths and set an intention for your massage. It can be something as simple as ‘may I have a peaceful night’s sleep’. Then pour some pre-warmed Aika Hair Anoint into your cupped hand or you can pour a few drops and warm it between your palms. Use your fingertips to massage this all over your scalp. Next massage the temples with small circular movements. This helps calms the nervous system, reduces headaches and even helps the stomach with balancing acidity. Take a few deep breaths in and out through the nose (never the mouth) while you do this.

Step Two

Massage the middle of your forehead two fingers-width above the eyebrows at the point of Ajna Chakra (third eye). This point facilitates the optimal function of the pineal and pituitary gland regulating hormones. Stimulating this chakra point advances intuition and insight, benefits tired and sore eyes and brings about instant calm. It’s also a great way to smooth out those tension furrows between the eyebrows often brought on by stress held in this area. Take a few more deep breaths.

Step Three

Moving upwards press and hold the point at the start of the hairline called Kapala Marma right where you would start a middle part to your hair. Meaning “ruler of time” massaging this Marma point alleviates mental tension and stress, supports sound sleep, and soothes emotional dysregulation.

Step Four

Massage the scalp ‘holy hair trinity’. Start at the crown of the scalp known as Murdhni or Adhipati Marma, the highest point or vertex of the scalp, about ten fingers-width back from the point between the eyebrows. This is also the opening of the Sahasrara Chakra, (crown), the meeting point of many nadis and the spot where Kundalini energy ascends from the root chakra. Massage the points two fingers width above (Brahmarandhra Marma) and two fingers width below (Shivarandhra Marma) the crown. This trinity of Murdhni, Brahmarandhra, and Shivarandhra all powerfully regulate the flow of Prana and balances all three Doshas – Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Massaging these areas promote deep, restful sleep and stimulate memory and concentration. It also helps to soothe sensory overload and calm the mind. Take a few more breaths.

Step Five

Finally massage the base of the scalp at Manyamula Marma, meaning “the root of the neck”. This is located in the depression below where the occipital bone sticks out at the base of the skull. This powerful point regulates the flow of lymph, cerebrospinal fluid, promotes the flow of blood to the brain and alleviates tension and pain in both the head and neck. Finish by gently gripping your hair at the roots and pulling outwards and upwards from the base to the crown and end by covering your ears and gently cradling your head in your hands. Take a few more final deep breaths and repeat your intention.

Enjoy your beautifully soft hair and feeling of peace and calm.