According to ayurveda, a healthy beautiful head of hair requires a regular care routine that starts with nourishment. Why wait until you experience hair problems? As with your skin, start taking care of it now, and you'll reap the benefits for years to come.

Massaging the scalp and hair with warm oil, preferably infused with hair-friendly herbs, is the best way to nourish the scalp and hair topically. Not only does the massage work wonders for your hair, but it also relaxes the mind and nervous system. The oil for the massage can be customized by hair and body type. If your hair is thin, dry and frizzy and prone to split-ends, you have Vata hair, and you should choose emollient nourishing products. If you have fine hair prone to premature thinning or graying, you are Pitta-predominant, and cooling oils infused with cooling, nourishing herbs will help maintain the color and thickness of your hair. If you are predominantly Kapha, your hair will tend to be thick and oily; you will require clarifying, purifying herbs in light oils.

The Benefits

A warm oil massage, done at least once a week (if you have more Vata in your make-up, you would want to try to do it two to three times a week), has the following benefits:

* It lubricates and conditions the scalp, helping to prevent flakes and dry scalp without the use of harsh chemical shampoos.

* It helps enhance blood circulation in the head and neck area. When the scalp is "tight" from stress, circulation and hair growth are impeded.

* It helps relax the scalp and increase pliability.

* It helps strengthen the roots of the hair and nourishes the hair-shafts, promoting new hair growth and strengthening current hair.

* It helps soften and condition the hair, making it more manageable.

* It spreads the natural oils of the hair, increasing hair luster and vibrancy.

* It helps protect hair from the damaging effects of the sun and harsh weather by improving resiliency over time.

* It is replenishing and rejuvenating for dry, damaged hair, and helps prevent excessive brittleness and split-ends.

* It helps pacify Vata dosha. Especially when enriched with Vata-pacifying herbs, a warm oil hair and scalp massage can be wonderfully relaxing for the mind and nervous system.

* When fortified with cooling, Pitta-pacifying herbs, the hair and scalp massage can help balance Pitta dosha and help prevent Pitta-related problems such as premature graying or thinning of hair. It also helps reduce body heat in general, especially if you have been up late a few nights or your eyes are smarting from too much close work on the computer or reading. A Pitta-pacifying massage also helps promote emotional balance.

* The massage helps relax the muscles in the neck area.

* The hair and scalp massage can help promote sound sleep at night.

Choosing a Massage Oil

If you are Vata-predominant, choose almond oil or sesame oil as the base oil. Both of these oils are very nourishing for the scalp and hair and help reduce stiffness and tightness in the scalp.

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