I am 45 now, and as the winter chill settles in, a simple act—oiling my head after a shower—triggered a cascade of memories spanning three decades. When I was a boy in a small town in Uttar Pradesh, the ritual of a weekly, sometimes daily, head massage with oil was as common as breathing. My favorite was the potent, earthy scent of mustard oil . I remember visiting our local vaid ji (traditional practitioner), who stressed the importance of this practice, lamenting even then that fewer people were keeping it up. Fast forward to adulthood, and my simple habit met the sharp reality of changing cultural norms. My wife, from a different background, and her circle found the idea of oiled hair "un-stylish." Even when I switched to the fragrant, dark luster of amla oil, the gentle teasing and continuous pressure to conform chipped away at my resolve. Now, my cherished ritual is relegated to an occasional, quick application, washed out within hours. Where Did the Oil Go? As I drov...
I am 45 now, and as the winter chill settles in, a simple act—oiling my head after a shower—triggered a cascade of memories spanning three decades.
When I was a boy in a small town in Uttar Pradesh, the ritual of a weekly, sometimes daily, head massage with oil was as common as breathing. My favorite was the potent, earthy scent of mustard oil. I remember visiting our local vaid ji (traditional practitioner), who stressed the importance of this practice, lamenting even then that fewer people were keeping it up.
Fast forward to adulthood, and my simple habit met the sharp reality of changing cultural norms. My wife, from a different background, and her circle found the idea of oiled hair "un-stylish." Even when I switched to the fragrant, dark luster of amla oil, the gentle teasing and continuous pressure to conform chipped away at my resolve. Now, my cherished ritual is relegated to an occasional, quick application, washed out within hours.
Where Did the Oil Go?
As I drove to the office today, I couldn't help but observe the hair around me. The styles are sharp, dry, and perfectly un-oiled. And the starkest observation? The Gen Z population. Not a single young colleague, male or female, seems to carry this tradition.
This shift in personal care coincided in my mind with a troubling trend I’ve observed in the workplace: a visible, sometimes crippling, increase in mental and cognitive distress.
I have a young colleague, barely half my age, who battles severe depression, carrying prescription notes and frequently needing time off. He is not an isolated case. I also see an increase in what the Western world calls "dementia" or, less severely, chronic forgetfulness—sophisticated names for a very simple fear of the aging mind.
And here is the leap my mind made: Is there a connection between the decline of the traditional oil head massage and the rise in modern mental and cognitive health issues?
I have no peer-reviewed proof, but something passed down by our forefathers, ingrained in Ayurvedic practice, cannot be dismissed completely.
🌿 The Science Behind the Tradition: What Does Research Say?
While my personal observation is anecdotal, it’s worth exploring what modern science has to say about the age-old practice of Shiro Abhyanga (Ayurvedic head massage).
1. Stress, Anxiety, and Mood Regulation
The primary and most supported benefit of a head massage is its effect on the nervous system.
Mechanism of Action: A gentle, rhythmic massage stimulates the peripheral nerve endings. Studies suggest that massage, in general, can decrease the levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, while increasing the levels of "feel-good" hormones like serotonin and dopamine.
Scientific Support: A 2013 study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience and similar research have demonstrated that massage therapy can significantly reduce perceived stress, anxiety, and even the resting heart rate and blood pressure, leading to an overall calming effect. While these studies often focus on body massage, the rich nerve supply in the head suggests a similar, potent response. The act itself is a dedicated moment of self-care, a break from digital screens and constant stimuli.
2. Cognitive Function and Memory
My concern about increased forgetfulness touches upon a fascinating area of Ayurvedic study, which links oiling and massage to cognitive health.
Ayurvedic Perspective: Traditional practices believe that massaging the head, particularly with oils infused with herbs like Brahmi or Ashwagandha, helps balance the Vata and Pitta doshas, which are linked to nervous system health and inflammation. This is thought to enhance mental clarity and memory (Medhya properties).
Modern Relevance: While there is limited direct research on "oil massage" preventing dementia, the increased blood circulation stimulated by a head massage is undisputed. Improved blood flow to the brain is vital for delivering oxygen and nutrients, which are essential for optimal cognitive function and reducing neurodegeneration. Furthermore, some carrier oils, like coconut oil, contain medium-chain fatty acids (MCTs) that are being studied for their potential neuroprotective benefits.
3. Hair Health vs. Overall Health
It's important to distinguish between the cosmetic benefits (moisturizing the scalp, reducing dandruff, preventing split ends) and the therapeutic benefits.
The Power of the Oil: The oil itself is more than just a lubricant. Traditional oils like mustard oil are rich in omega fatty acids, and herbal oils (like amla) are packed with Vitamin C and antioxidants. When warmed and massaged in, the oil carries therapeutic properties deeper into the scalp, nourishing the hair roots and calming irritated skin (which can help with that itchy feeling I experienced).
🙏 A Call for Balance
My thoughts today are not a medical diagnosis, nor is this an argument that oiling your hair will cure depression. The rise in mental health issues in the younger generations is complex, tied to societal pressure, economic anxiety, social media, and lifestyle factors.
However, the simple, quiet act of the oil head massage represents something vital we are losing: unplugged self-care.
In a world defined by speed and appearance, the half-hour dedicated to the warming oil, the slow, firm kneading of the temples, and the subsequent period of quiet absorption is a powerful de-stressing ritual. It forces a pause, grounds the individual, and physically stimulates the very system (the nerves) that is often frayed by modern life.
Perhaps the Gen Z generation, who value wellness but often focus on expensive external fixes, might benefit most from reclaiming this simple, affordable, and profoundly effective piece of their heritage. It is a tradition that offers not just style, but stillness.
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