Brushing your hair 100 times every morning in spring
An ancient Chinese text, "On Health Preservation," states: "In the first three months of spring, brush your hair one or two hundred times each morning." This conveys two meanings: brushing hair promotes health, and spring is an ideal season for doing so.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, meridians run throughout the body, connecting internal and external organs, regulating qi and blood circulation through their conductive functions. Qi and blood flow via meridians to nourish tissues, resist external pathogens, and protect the body. The "Baihui" point located on the top of the head gathers meridians directly or indirectly, giving it its name. Thus, brushing hair helps unblock meridians and promote blood flow, thereby nourishing hair, strengthening the brain, improving hearing, clearing the eyes, and preventing headaches. It is recorded that even as early as the Sui Dynasty, renowned physician Chao Yuanfang clearly stated that brushing hair could improve blood circulation, dispel wind and dampness, and prevent premature graying. Su Dongpo deeply experienced how brushing hair promoted sleep, once saying: "Brush your hair over a hundred times, let it hang loose, and sleep soundly until dawn."
Brushing hair in spring aligns with the seasonal requirements for health preservation, helping to activate yang energy, relieve stagnation, and regulate blood and qi, thus enhancing physical strength.
What are the guidelines for effective hair brushing? Brush all areas of the head—both center and sides—from the hairline at the forehead to the nape of the neck. Each area should be brushed at least 50 times for effectiveness, with the upper limit determined by personal comfort. Morning is the best time, as it coincides with the rising of yang energy. Wooden, jade, or horn combs are recommended.
Doctors particularly caution that hair brushing only serves to stimulate meridian circulation and balance bodily functions; it is a health-preserving practice, not a substitute for medical treatment when illness occurs.
For cerebrovascular diseases: additionally massage the Yongquan and Taichong points on the feet.
For headaches: massage the Hegu and Fengchi points on the hands.
For insomnia: massage the Yongquan and Sanyinjiao points on the legs and feet.