Abhyanga – An external Oilation therapy -SCIENTIFIC APPROACH OF ABHYANGA (MASSAGE) IN AYURVEDA

1. Abhyanga – An external Oilation therapy
SCIENTIFIC APPROACH OF ABHYANGA (MASSAGE) IN AYURVEDA
Dr.K. Siva Rama Prasad
Vedas are expe- life, veda means knowledge, together
riences of individuals, Ayurveda deals with knowledge of life. LIFE,
recorded and trans- when it is elaborated it can be “ Living In Fine
formed one generation Ecstasy “ or living with happiness in coordi-
to another generation. It nation with nature. Charaka explains the life
is not necessary to as unification of body (Shareera), sensory
check whether Sun organs (Indriya), mind (Manas) and soul
rises only from East or (Atma).
West. If the regularly ris- The main motto of Ayurveda is to keep
ing Sun changes his position and rises from an individual hail healthy with regimens ex-
West, it becomes News. Various facts of life plained within the texts. The Ayurveda cares
are recorded in the form of Hymns and doc- about not only physical health but also psy-
trines in Vedas. Such doctrines speak about chological. The health can be physical or
happy and healthy living in accordance with psychological.
nature. The Upaveda (sub-veda) of Adharva Healthy person (Swastha) is defined
veda, Ayurveda explains ways of perfect liv- by the Susruta as whoever maintains the
ing in purified form as regimens of day, night three body humors (Tridosha), equilibrate di-
and seasons. Regularity in practice of purity gestive fire (includes other pancha
leads to the destination of mankind. It may Bhootagnis, Dhatwagnis - tissue fires and
be materialistic or philosophical. If a person Jatharagni or the main digestive fire), proper
mear wish to have materialistic benefits by evacuation of urine and stools (Mala), with fair
following the rules of purity, certainly it offers. soul, sensory organs and mind. To maintain
But such purity is lacking holistic approach, health Ayurveda dictated regimens according
where mind body co-ordination is not seen. to the day, night and season. The normal
This non co-ordination leads ones to suffer- functions in human are always maintenance
ing. Co-ordination benefits to attain eternity, of Doshas in accordance with diets. All the
as a process of holistic approach in associa- food materials may be of animal or plant ori-
tion with materialistic benefits. gin leads to either aggravation or subsidizing
Few assumptions about the purity are - of the three humors, which may even have
1. The physical body is constricted by only its effect over the mind. Not only the food habits
elements and they are subjected for impurity but also other exogenous factors such as
all the time. seasons also responsible for the alteration of
2. Multiple cells in a regular pattern constrict the body humors. The other factors are en-
the physical body, which are going to be ex- dogenous which always alters the state of
pressed is offspring’s too. humors in the body there by no time all the
3. There is no involvement of mind purity, only Tridosha are in the state of perfect equilibra-
physical purity is sufficient to have a healthy tion. Thus the state of perfect health is not
body. possible at any time in the body. For the al-
4. Ego and states of personality doesn’t have tered state of Doshas to maintain in equili-
any influence on construction of purified body. bration we need a specific elimination proce-
5. Impurity development in the body is nec- dures when they are subjected to aggrava-
essary and natural. tion. Usually palliative or Shamana therapy is
Root of Ayurveda developed from two being prescribed with out elimination espe-
individual words Ayu and Veda. Ayu means cially when the patient is not fit for the cleans-

2. ing procedure. Who ever seek the perfect ness but it is not perceived by eye. Sneha is
health by rooting out the Disease State pre- explained as perceived by eye, which is a
fers the elimination therapy under the condi- quality of Agni mahabhoota. According to
tions of fitness. Susruta it consists of Pridhvi (Earth) and Ap
Massage is not a new concept. It is (water) elements in it, there by it also can be
the earliest known form of healing developed perceived by the skin also. Because of the
over years of constant observation. Almost earthy element, it should and must have even
every culture has employed massage, includ- a common smell but it is not observed such
ing Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Japanese, and they have their own smells of different.
Chinese, Swedish and the Ayurvedic man- The Abhyanga is said to be an exter-
age by Indians. What are described additional nal Oleation (Bahya sneha) therapy described
techniques here comes under Naturopathy in dinacharya, ritu charya and also in Sneha
system of healing is a muscular manipula- Vicharana i.e. roots of administration of unc-
tive Swedish oriental technique. tuousness.
Massage is a systematic rubbing and
manipulation of the body to prevent stiffness,
promoting circulation and positive health.
Massage is one of the most valuable of re-
medial measures. When combined with wa-
ter treatment accomplishes wonderful results.
Basis of massage is touch, and there is a
increasing medical evidence to show the
great value of touch.
OILATION:
The Abhyanga or system of massage
in Ayurveda gives its message to achieve a
better perfect health in normal and diseased
state. This massage even though practiced
with out unctuous material it is preferred to
do with unctuous materials under different
explained methods, as it produces lubrica-
tion. The unctuous quality is in Sneha Dravya
and its use is said as snehana or Oleation.
Oleation is made for the externally to create
softness. Snehapana is a special internal Initially when human are developing,
Oleation therapy meant as pre Panchakarma they were learned about the importance of
procedure. This procedure is specially to get pressure and its effect. They realized that the
the Doshas, which are in Sakha (tissues) to pressure can give relief from pain and it can
Kosta (Alimentary canal). Here Sneha be used as a therapeutic technique. As ex-
Dravyas (either Ghee, Oil, Tallow, Bone mar- ternally to purify the body they were taking bath
row or a combination of above) are given in- with water. In that process they observed the
ternally in specific dose for a prescribed pe- unctuousness of water and searched for a
riod or externally used for Abhyanga for the better unctuous medicinal effective sub-
said effect. stance. The Oil i.e. Til oil was said to be the
Sneha derived from “Sniha” which best unctuous and have the effect of nullify-
means adhesion, sticky, wettish, unctuous, ing or pacifying the Doshas which are in the
oily and bending or an unctuous liquid. Sneha vitiated condition.
is defined as affection, oily, oil, and softness, Cross-references and usage of mas-
which runs, which flows, liquidy and soft. Out sage is witnessed in Bible and practiced by
of five maha bhootas or basic elements, only Hypocrites, Galen, Pare and most famous
Ap (water) maha bhoota having unctuous- physicians of western medicine.

3. MENTION OF ABHYANGA IN SEASONAL b) by using non metallic objects - Four variet-
REGIMEN: ies of unctuous substance
In almost all seasons except B. Yukti vyapashraya Abhyanga
Greeshma (only lepa) in all other seasons a) by using hands massage - lepa, abhyanga,
Abhyanga is recommended as Abhyanga, etc.
Utsadana or Pragharshana. b) by using legs – Padaghata
QUALITIES OF SNEHA (ABHYANGA) 2. According to the site of operation: Sec-
DRAVYAThere are nine qualities explained by ond classification defined according to the site
Charaka. They are – of operation of massaging. It is divided into
1. Drava - liquid two sub groups as regional or local and gen-
2. Sookshama - minuteness eral. In local it can be further divided in to or-
3. Sara - flowing gan based and site based. Siro abhyanga,
4. Snigdha - unctuous padabhyanga are explained in this context. In
5. Pichila - gelatinous Ayurveda no reference of organ based mas-
6. Guru - heavy sage but with interpretation to marma therapy
7. Seeta - cold we can adopt organ massage as being done
8. Manda - slow in some areas of the world. For the general
9. Mrudu - soft or sarvadaihika abhyanga the seven standard
Out of the above said qualities some are not postures are used for 35 minits. When ever
seen in many of the Sneha Dravyas. local abhyanga is indicated only 15 minuts or
CONTRA INDICATIONS FOR ABHYANGA: according to the requirement one can opt the
Ajeerna time schedule.
Ama Peedita A. General Abhyanga - sarvadaihika
Taruna jwara B. Local or Regional Abhyanga
People suffer from Kapha predominant a) Organ massage - kidney massage
disorders b) Site wise massage - padabhyanga
All Kapha personalities 3. According to the pressure applied the
Santarpana janya diseases division is as follows.
After Vasti 1. lepa - application of oil over the body2.
After Vamana Abhyanga - application of unctuous sub-
After Virechana stances along with necessiate pressure
CLASSIFICATION OF ABHYANGA: 3. Udvartana or shareera parimarjana - re-
1. According to materials used verse application of pressure
2. According to region 4. Udghrshana - rubbing with ununctuous
3. According to pressure exerted substances (Rookshana vidhi)
4. According to Guna of dravya 5. Utsadana - rubbing of unctuous pasts
1. Based on the materials used: First clas- 6. Mardana - application of more pressure
sification of Abhyanga is based on the direct towards midline of body
or indirect methods based on the materials 7. Unmardana - holding and pulling of the
used. In tradition people use it as Daiva muscles
vyapashraya Chikitsa especially for inflamma-
tory conditions offered massage with metal
rods apart from a standard medicinal oil mas-
sage. These metal substances are not unc-
tuous but soft. Pressure is exerted with them
give rise reasonable results. This group con-
sists of medicinal oil massage in association
with manual pressure. This can be divided
into two once again, either by using hands or
legs.
A. Daiva vyapashraya Abhyanga
a) by using metallic objects - Iron rods

4. 4. According to Guna of Dravya He did not specify how much time
It is clear that we use unctuous ma- Abhyanga to be done in case of Sukra gata
terial for the Abhyanga. Out of such materi- Vyadhi. But we can consider with above ma-
als Ayurveda offers four best unctuous ma- terial, further Abhyanga can lead to Sukra. If
terials viz. Taila, Ghrita, Vasa and Majja (Oil, we follow above schedule it takes approxi-
Ghee, Tallow and Marrow). Based on the mately 5 minutes for each posture Abhyanga
qualities of the material used it gives effect and totally 35 minutes. When it is to be done
over the doshic triad. A qualified and experi- for only one part then 15 minutes massage is
enced physician selects the materials ac- recommended.
cording to the necessity in association to the BEFORE THE START OF MASSAGE
specified Dravya or Dravya vargas which are (1) Massage should be done in a comfort-
capable of pacifying the Doshas and dis-
eases.
a. Oil
b. Ghee
c. Tallow
d. Marrow
POSTURES OF ABHYANGA: There are
seven postures for proper Abhyanga.
1. Sitting
2. Supine (lay on back)
Sitting 3. Left lateral
4. Dorsal (lay on abdo-
men)
Supine
able environment. Choose a warm, peaceful
room with dim lights, with light music at the
5. Right lateral background.
6. Supine (lay on (2) Person who takes massage to be made
back) to lie down on a table with height does not
7. Sitting strain the back of the massager
RULES FOR MASSAGER
Left Right 1. One who gives massage should be abso-
lateral Lateral lutely relaxed.
2. Massager should keep the back straight
throughout massage.
3. Massager should never stay in one posi-
TIMING OF ABHYANGA: tion for long to avoid gravitational pull.
According to Dalhana, commentator of 4. Should wear loose fitting, washable clothes,
Susruta Samhita has given elaborated sci- flat shoes, or go barefoot.
entific explanation about Abhyanga. Daily 5. Massager should use the weight of the body
massage of - to give rhythm and depth of massage.
300 matras = 95 sec. Enters into Hair fol- 6. Hands and wrists of the massager should
licles be flexible and warm.
400 matras = 133 sec. enters into Skin TIPS FOR A GOOD MASSAGE
500 matras = 160 sec. enters into Rakta 1. Most important element of massage is
600 matras = 190 sec. enters into Mamsa rhythm.
700 matras = 228 sec. enters into Medas 2. Massage should be pleasurable constantly
800 matras = 245 sec. enters into Asti keep inquiring to find out any of the move-
900 matras = 285 sec. enters into Majja ments that is painful or unpleasant.

5. 3. Mould your hands to the cantor of the body. 6. Massage the entire right leg and do right
4. One hand should be always in contact with knee and hip joint movements
the body of the person who takes massage 7. Massage the entire left hand, followed by
throughout. wrist, allow, and shoulder joints movements.
5. Vary the pressure as per the need of the 8. Massage the entire right hand followed by
person. wrist, elbow, shoulder joint movements.
6. Concentration on massage is important 9. Massage the abdomen,
should not talk unnecessarily while massag- 10. Massage the chest.
ing. 11. Massage the entire back
7. A massager should be totally relaxed while 12. Massage head, neck, and face followed
massaging. neck movements.
8. One should not worry if movements seen DURATION
chimsy with continuation the rhythm develops. Form 30 to 45 minutes.
PRECAUTIONS BASIC TECHNIQUES
A) STROKING: Flowing movements of strok-
ing form the basic of a massage and it is most
frequently used one. It is a smooth upward
movement is done in 4 ways.
1. Massage should not be given if one is suf-
fering infection, contagious skin disease or
high fever.
2. Massager should not massage if he has a) UP WORD STROKING: place one hand
fever or infections disease. on the part to be massaged move the other
3. Massage should not be given incase of hand in upward direction keep making con-
acute pains of the muscles and joints. tinuous movements with one hand at a time
4. Never massage a burse, skin infection or with both hands.
abscess, or inflammatory conditions of lower
limbs such as thrombophlebitis, vericose
veins.
5. Stomach of pregnant women would not be
massaged.
MASSAGE SEQUENCE
Massage sequence should always follow this
order:
1. Lubricate the part to be massaged.
2. Massage the left foot, do left ankle joint
movements
3. Massage the leg
4. Do knee joint and hip joint movements
5. Massage the right foot, do right ankle joint
movements.

6. b) FAN STROKING: Done on wider area like These friction movements are best given
chest abdomen and back. Glide both hands around joints, shoulder blades, and soles of
feet hands and legs.
a) Rotary friction: Place both hands on the
slightly in upward direction and slightly pull
the hands to sides’ fan out your hands and
again return to original place. Continue this
movement 3-4 times
c) CIRCULAR STROKING: Place both
hands on one side of the body with 15 cm
apart, then stroke round and round in wide
curves, making a circle, Arms cross as one
hand completes the circle. One hand does
whole circle while the other does only half a
circle. Keep one hand over the other arm, and
continue stroking with the other hand. Place
your hand gently on the skin and repeat.
d) THUMB STROKKING: On smaller areas,
stroke with thumbs, either with one thumb or
area to be massaged and roll gently in the
upward direction
b) Spiral friction: Place one hand around the
area to be massaged and more in the direc-
tion resembles a spring.
C) PERCUSSION: Percussion movements
both the thumbs.
B) FRICTION: Friction bests done with the
four fingers, but can be done with just the
thumbs or the palm of the hand. These are
circular movements that go deep into the
muscle. There are rotary and spiral frictions.

7. are striking, slicing, backing, chopping move- d) Pummeling: Form hands into loose fists
ments done in a rapid rhythmic motion. They and with relaxed wrist start beating with bonny
are brisk and bouncy, useful on fleshy, bulky,
movements with softer side of fist.
muscular areas. Never percussion move- D) POUNDING: With your fists loosely held,
ments on bonny areas never percussion using hard, bonny movements start knocking
movements on bonny areas. Percussion on the fleshy part of the body with knuckles
movements are further divided into varieties. side of fist.
a) Clapping: Hold both hands like a cup and
keep rhythmically tapping one hand at a time
continuously and rhythmically, in upward di-
E) KNUCKLING: Knuckling is small circling
strokes employed on shoulders, chest, palms
and feet for relief or treatment. Cure the hand
into loose fists and with the knuckles of the
rection. fist move round in circular movements.
b) Tapping: Hold both hands with soles of F) VIBRATIONS: Rapid shaking or trembling
the hands facing each other and gently over movement on the skin’s surface without brak-
one hand after other with finger tapping the ing the contact. Fingers or the palm of the
area gently and rhythmically with bonny move- hand is used there are few variations in the
ments. movement.
c) Hacking: Holding both the hands firmly to- a) Static vibration: Keep the palm of the
gether, loosening the wrist loosely start hit- hand on the bulky fleshy area and give a gentle
ting the area hard and movements be bonny shaky and trembling movement for some time
in upward direction and then move to another area.

8. b) Running vibration: Keeping the palm b) Circular pressure:
firmly placed on the body move the hands Press and then make
creating shaky and trembling movements. small penetrating, cir-
G) KNEADING: This movement is like mix- cular and movements
circling the skin
against the underlying
muscle.
SOME SPECIAL LOCAL MASSAGES
BACK MASSAGE: Back
massage is useful in Relief
of pain from muscle
spasm. Relaxing the back
muscle. Entire sympa-
thetic, parasympathetic
nervous system gets to
need up. Relieving
broncho-spasm in Asthma
and Bronchitis
ABDOMINAL MASSAGE: Often people find
it uncomfortable
ing the wheat flour with water before making while taking ab-
Chapathis. It is useful on fleshy parts of the dominal massage
body. due to the tickling
a) Light kneading: On less fleshy areas such sensation felt while
as shoulders and arms lift, squeeze and roll taking massage. It is
the flesh between thumb and fingers of one useful in -
hand glide it towards the other hand, and - Relieving abdomi-
squeeze the flesh with the second hand. nal pain and dis-
H) PETRISSAGE: Method is as same as light comfort
kneading but done with more pressure. - Relieving constipation
I) PRESSURE: Deep, direct pressure to re- - Weight reduction
lease tension and fatigue of muscles, on ei- - Stimulating liver and pancreas. Hence use-
ther side of spire and around shoulders. ful in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, hy-
pertension.
HEAD MASSAGE:
Head massage is highly
invigorating and relaxing.
useful in - - Relieving
headaches, migraine -
Dandruff - Hair growth by
stimulation on scalp.
FACE MASSAGE: -it is
more of cosmetic importance. It is very use-
ful in: -
-Relieving tension, anxi-
ety, headaches spe-
cially frontal
- Treatment of sinusitis
a) Static pressure: Place the pads of thumbs -Clearing dark circles
on the skin and gradually lean on to them. around eyes.
Press for few seconds, then release and glide - Treatment of acne
to the next point.

9. OVERALL BENEFITS OF MASSAGE tabolite found by researchers in depression
1. Overall well being and schizophrenia. Giving albumin bound
of Individual protein tryptophan to the brain with proper diet
2. Relaxation of body and massage should theoretically increase
and mind brain serotonin. In practise the abhyanga re-
3. Relief of pain from lieves systems like those caused by seroto-
aching muscles nin depletion, anxiety, irritability, etc.
4. Relief from fatigue The fluids of internal environment sub-
stiffness of the joints jected for movement because of osmotic
5. Increased blood pressure and hydrostatic pressure. Here
circulation to skin abhyanga causes mechanical hydrostatic
surface improving pressure in the extra cellular compartment i.e.
skin function in the peripheral vascular area. A forceful ex-
6. Removal of im- pulsion from peripheral vessels causes
pure verious blood splanchenic pooling of the blood. It helps fluid
7. Removal of wastes through lymphatic to enter in to viscera and tissues and dilutes
drainage the toxins accumulated. When it refills the
8. Relaxation of central, sympathetic, and peripheral vessels after the completion of pro-
parasympathetic nervous systems cedure the diluted toxins are brought in to
9. Improvement of overall functioning ability general circulation and in due course of elimi-
of internal organs nation procedures such as Vamana and
10. Improvement of functioning of the endo- Virechana they are oozed or pulled in to gut
crine glands. and expelled.
11. Useful as an adjuvant for the weight re- 2. Physical pressure causing electrical
duction charge to the body - phizoelectricity
12. Useful in improving rest and sleep Phizo electricity is said as pressure
13. Enhances bodies immunity. electricity. Today we witness different modes
COMPLICATIONS OF of generation of electricity, such as thermal,
EXCESSIVE MASSAGE hydro, nuclear etc. The phizo electricity is
1. Increases Kapha derived from friction and pressure. This theory
2. Increases Medas was invented in 1880. Phizoelectricity devel-
3. Decreases Agni i.e. digestive fire oped from Tormalin quartz is more used in
4. Develops Ama in system Watch, Microphone and Phonographic indus-
5. Develops Glani tries.
6. Develops Jwara (fever) Here in Ayurveda we may not be us-
DYNAMICS OF ABHYANGA: ing the term of phizo electricity, but the tech-
1. Physical pressure moving the fluids in nique leads to the same effect. When utiliz-
internal environment ing a medium of unctuous substance to re-
The Abhyanga is acting over the skin, duce the friction, a good amount of rhythm if
which is a seat of Vata. The skin not only a uses a specific pressure developed and cre-
seat of Vata but also for Lasika (lymph). Thus ates magnetic field and electricity in the body.
the lymphatic drainage will be the prime ef- At present context we have to remember that
fect of Abhyanga. Lymph possesses a rela- human body is made of metallic and also non-
tively large amount of the amino acid tryp- metallic compositions and subjected for mag-
tophan, especially when compared with the netic meridian. From physics, we learned that
dietary intake. It likewise has a large amount any object is being rubbed towards one-di-
of albumin (protein), glucose and histaminase rection get electricity charged. The same is
(breaks down histamine). Hypothetically, going to happen in the body surface area and
blood aminoacids like tryptophan increase the charged molecules will attract the mol-
after massage. An increase in plasma tryp- ecules of susceptive and drag them from
tophan subsequently causes a parallel in- sakha to kosta, by interrupting the
crease in the neurotransmitter (chemical be- doshadooshya sammurchana.
tween nerve endings) at motor end plates, Secondly by such charging, the con-
and serotonin, which is made from tryptophan. ductivity of nerves will be increased. The nor-
Serotonin has been implicated in several mal velocity of electric conductivity in a nerve
phychiatric diseases with low levels of me- fiber is said as 0.5 meter per second which

10. may go up to 100 meters per second. In nerve synthesized from tryptophan is a neuro
fiber electricity is discharged in regular inter- chemical causes pleasantness and calming
vals and moves in circular pattern. Interrup- effects in the process of massage. Apart from
tion to the momentum or hyper electrical dis- the effect said the toxins that are settled in
charges results in to the state of disease. the nerve fiber or myelinated sheet and inter-
Treatment is said as rectification of the state rupting the conductivity of the nerve impulse
of disturbance. Thus the method of Abhyanga are drained out by the exertion of physical
that depolarizes the excessive electrical pressure on peripheral nerve endings, espe-
charge in exited state of nerves and also in- cially motor and also sensory.
duces perfect charged phizo electricity to 6. Physical pressure acting over Hor-
bring into normalcy. monal controls
3. Physical pressure acting as counter ir- Melitonin, a newly discovered brain
ritant hormone is rhythmically secreted in the pi-
While doing Abhyanga pressure is neal gland of the brain. Radioactive tryptophan
applied. That pressure acts as an irritant to has been found to accumulate in pineal, so
the surface and the effect of irritation produced we can assume the pineal uses it to form
as the effect of inflammation and color - rise serotonin and melatonin. The pineal gland has
of local temperature and dolor - mild pain is a diurnal rhythm and is sensitive to light. Dur-
produced. And robor -rising the peripheral ing the day the pineal produces high levels of
vascularisation is witnessed at the end of pro- serotonin, and at night produces high levels
cedure, which fill the splanchenum during the of melatonin. Melatonin has been found to
procedure. This shuffling of extra cellular com- decrease thyroid activity, adrenal and gonadal
partment fluid makes the sedentary or accu- activity as well as diminish growth hormone
mulated impurities at the level of tissues to and melanocyte stimulating hormone levels.
move, said in Ayurveda as movement of In all melatonin decreases protein synthesis
Doshas from sakha to kosta. In various con- in the hypothalmus and pituitary resulting in a
ditions of Vata disorders where pain is a decrease in six of the seven anterior pituitary
symptom, the counter irritation produced by hormones (three of six confirmed in man).
massage cures by its classical color and Melatonin turns down the body’s hormonal
robor actions, by which phagocytosis occurs. activity. Giving melaronin to human results in
4. Physical pressure acting over skin sleep or sedation (depending upon the dose
The main objective of Abhyanga is and way of administration), vivid dreams, EEG
creating softness in the external skin and changes, which resemble those of a medita-
smoothing of internal viscera and tissues. tive state, and a feeling of well being and mod-
When softness is induced in skin, the skin erate elation.
becomes lustrous, attains complexion and Ayurveda explains the action of
colour. More over an oily or unctuous skin is Abhyanga as Brimhana, Sodhana and
going to prevent the body from exposure of Shamana. The further processional analysis
heat and dust. The depositions of dust and has to be elucidated by scientific methodol-
tidy particles are going to cleansed and ogy under the shade of scientific knowledge.
cleaned physically by applying the pressure,
especially procedures such as udgharshana.
5. Physical pressure acting over Neural
controls
At motor end plates acetylcholine acts
as transmitter in the presence of Calcium ion
and facilitates synaptic action potential. The
nerve fibers have a myelinated sheet where
lipids are the chief ingredients. Na (sodium)
and K (potassium) ions are responsible for
repolarisation in the nerve fiber. Out of elec-
trolytes, calcium, Hydrogen, sodium and po-
tassium produce depolarization and chlorine
and potassium are responsible for hyper
polarisation. This action with the association
of melatonin a byproduct of serotonin also