Rubbing your fingernails stimulates hair growth
reverses graying and also improves overall hair health.
This practice is known as Balayam: where bal means hair and vyayam means exercise. There is a little understanding of how it works. It could be that the body’s chakras or meridian play a role to correct imbalances in the flow of energy, similar to reflexology. So when you trigger the appropriate reflex points, the meridian energy is channelized through pathways to the affected areas of the body, increasing energy and health in those areas.
Nerves below the nail bed are connected to the scalp and regular nail rubbing stimulates blood flow and oxygen to the scalp. Frequent rubbing continuously stimulate the scalp thus rejuvenating hair follicles and enhancing hair growth by controlling DHT (Dihydrotestostrone) resulting denser, thicker and stronger hairs. Balayam even stops graying of hairs. It is also known to soothe head aches and heal neurological disorders of brain.
To most people Balayam (Ancient Nail Rubbing Exercise) seems like a joke at first but my experience says it's the most effective yoga for hairs. It is the best natural remedy to control hair fall and regain lost hairs. Balayam can be practiced by anybody irrespective of their age and gender. In many cases, it works slowly but gently, gives expected results only after a long regular practice of at least 6-7 months.
Factors responsible for hair problems are:
Thyroid disorders
Hormonal imbalance
Smoking
Anaemia
Heavy medication
Using hair dye of high ammonium content
Deficiency of vitamin B12
Protein deficiency
Hereditary and old age
How to do it?
Nail rubbing is done on an empty stomach or 2 hours after food. Curl the fingers as if to form a half fist and rub the fingernails of each hand against each other briskly for five to ten minutes (rub only fingernails and exclude the thumb). You will feel a tingling sensation on your scalp.
You can do this anywhere – while waiting for or travelling in the bus/train, walking in the park, in your house. It may help if you focus your attention on the scalp and hair, and visualize your hair getting thick and healthy.
Rubbing fingernails together for five to ten minutes twice a day is recommended. Results are usually seen in a three to four months time.
Word of caution: Avoid nail rubbing during pregnancy, or if there is any skin or nail condition around the contact area, or if you suffer from high blood pressure.