There is this popular idea between Indian culture and practitioners of complementary medicine that rubbing fingernails together for a few minutes can give you thick, dense and healthy locks.
Did someone tell you to rub your fingernails together to promote hair growth?
Well, did you try it? Is there any logic behind it?
There some people who do believe and follow this practice while some don’t. Let me tell you something a friend of mine had told me about this notion in school, I didn’t believe it much then but years later I did find out it to be true. Let me share the science behind it and all about it; so that you can try and see if it works out for you.
Balayam –
Not many of you would have known that the practice of rubbing fingernails against each other is called Balayam Yoga. Balayam=’Bal’ means hair & ‘vyayam’ means exercise. Balayam yoga is thought to stimulate blood flow to the scalp, thereby offering a remedy to all types of hair fall problems for both men & women. Balayam coupled with other yoga asanas can help in addressing the root causes of imbalances in the body such as hormonal, digestive, psychological that may lead to unhealthy hair.
How Does It Work?
As per Ayurveda, hair and nail are the vestigial products of the metabolic processes that are involved in the formation of the skeletal system. The effects of the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) reflects on hair and nails. Excess of Vata & Pitta leads to dandruff, premature greying, hair loss or thinning. Balayam yoga help balance these doshas, strengthen asthi dhatu and rejuvenate hair.
The Science Behind It –
The roots of hair follicles are thought to be connected to your fingernails and by rubbing, you actually enhance/pump up blood circulation to the scalp through this channel. It is also said that rubbing fingernails, the brain is stimulated to send signals to adult stem cells to revive the dead hair follicles. These help in preventing hair fall or greying. However, there is no scientific research to support or validate these claims.
How To Practice?
Well, that’s easiest. Curl your fingers so as to form a fist and rub the fingernails of each hand against each other leaving the thumbs briskly for 5-10 minutes daily. Yoga practictioners suggests practising Balayam yoga at least 5-10 minutes once in the morning & evening. The more you do, the faster the results. Avoid rubbing nail during pregnancy or high blood pressure condition.
Other yogas that can be done along with balayam yoga are Shirshasan, Sarvangasana, Adho Mukha svanasan & Pranayama.
Benefits –
●Your hair turns strong and thick.
●It makes your hair black, clear off grey hair and white hair problems.
●It’s known for treating alopecia areata, pattern baldness and other hereditary hair problems.
So, now that you have read all about it, do give it a try and see for yourself whether it works or not! Do let us know how it helped you?
References:
https://www.curejoy.com/content/balayam-yoga-for-hair-loss/
https://www.bollywoodshaadis.com/articles/rub-nails-to-grow-hair-1821
