Aging is a natural process that can only be delayed but not stopped entirely. Most of us dread spotting off-white or grey hair through our thick and lustrous locks. It is a classic indicator of age catching up with you.
Typically, the average age for grey hair in the mid-30s for Caucasians, late 30s for Asians, and mid-40s for African-Americans. Mostly, your hair starts greying at the age of 35.
Hence, by the time people turn 50, they have a significant amount of grey hair. However, individuals who register greying of their hair by the age of 20, are said to exhibit premature greying.
Let’s have a look at how to stop grey hair through home remedies.
Causes of Grey Hair
Let us first address the important question – what causes grey hair? The possible culprits behind grey hair could be:
- Genetic composition(1)
- Deficiency of melanin (pigment).
- Smoking.
- Hormones(2).
- Underlying medical conditions or deficiencies.
- Stress.
- Chemicals.
- External factors(3) like pollution, chemical exposure, etc.
Naturopathic Remedies for Grey Hair
CURE 1: Home Remedies
Here are some highly effective home remedies for grey hair that can help you answer the most important question of how to get rid of grey hair?
You are what you eat. Hence, your food and diet can significantly contribute to undoing the damage caused
1. Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants and can reverse the signs of aging on your skin. Can it do the same to your hair? Let’s find out.
Why Does It Work?
Dark chocolate is a rich source of copper(4), a mineral that boosts melanin production in the body. Bitter, dark chocolate containing more than 70% cocoa is loaded with flavonoids(5), which help in naturally reversing the signs of aging.
Materials Required
- A block (30 to 60 grams) of bitter, dark chocolate.
Process for Usage
- Consume dark chocolate.
Frequency
You can eat a maximum of 30 to 60 grams of dark chocolate(6) in one go or divide it throughout the day.
2. Curry Leaves
Curry leaves are a natural hair dye for grey hair. You could combine curry leaves with coconut oil for grey hair and enjoy a potent cure for greying hair.
Why Does It Work?
Curry leaves are packed with vitamin B, which is an essential vitamin required for hair growth and hair pigmentation. Further, due to a high concentration of antioxidants(7), curry leaves restore the concentration of melanin within your hair follicles.
Materials Required
- A cup of water.
- A handful of washed curry leaves.
Process for Usage
- Bring the water to a boil.
- Add curry leaves to the water and allow the water to simmer for about 2 minutes. Take the water off the heat.
- Let the leaves steep for another 3 minutes.
- Strain and drink the liquid once it is cool.
Alternatively, you can make curry leaves chutney or add dry curry leaves powder to your food to ingest it.
[ Read: Curry Leaves for Hair ]
Frequency
Drink the tea once a day to undo the greying of your hair.
3. Henna Hair Mask
Using henna for converting grey hair to black is one of the oldest home remedies that has been put to use for decades.
Why Does It Work?
Rather than attacking the cause of underlying reason for grey hair, henna helps in masking the grey(8) and white strands. It imparts a reddish-brown shade and increases the hair volume, which makes the hair appear healthier.
Materials Required
- Five tablespoons of Henna Powder.
- A tablespoon of Instant Coffee.
- A cup of water.
Process for Usage
- Start by brewing some instant coffee in hot water.
- Add hot water to the henna powder to make a uniform, non-lumpy paste. Cover the bowl and leave it undisturbed for at least 6 hours.
- Apply the mixture on your hair and scalp and let it sit for nearly 3 to 4 hours.
- Rinse off the hair mask with warm water and wash your hair with a mild, sulfate-free shampoo.
Frequency
Apply this hair mask after every three weeks.
[Read: Benefits of Henna for Hair ]
4. Coconut Oil and Lemon Juice
Another popular and potent home remedy involves coconut oil and lemon juice for grey hair snopes. Here’s how you can use it to your advantage:
Why Does It Work?
Lemon(9) is a rich source of vitamins B and C, while also supplying phosphorus to the body. Collectively, these vitamins and minerals restore the pigments in your hair shaft and also help in maintaining a healthy amount of melanin in the hair follicles. Coconut oil(10), while acting as a carrier, also prevents hair damage(11) and greying of hair.
Materials Required
- Two teaspoons of lemon juice.
- Two tablespoons of coconut oil.
Process for Usage
- Combine the lemon juice and coconut oil and heat it slightly for even mixing.
- Gently massage this blend into your scalp and work outwards to the tops of your hair.
- Let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes.
- Rinse your hair with warm water and wash it using a mild, sulfate-free shampoo. Follow it up with a conditioner.
Frequency
Follow this hair care routine at least twice a week.
[ Read: 17 Natural Cures for Grey Hair – Home Treatment ]
CURE 2: Essential Oils
Just like regular carrier oils like coconut, you can also use essential oil for grey hair. Check out the best ones for this purpose.
1. Black Sesame Seed Oil
Black sesame seed oil is used widely in various ways. While some use it for consumption, others prefer its topical application.
Why Does It Work?
When blended with coconut oil, the penetrative capacity of black sesame oil increases significantly. Both coconut oil and black sesame oil are a powerhouse of fatty acids, which can naturally condition your hair. The combination of black sesame seed oil and coconut oil promotes melanocyte activity, which results in the pigmentation of each strand of hair.
Materials Required
- Two tablespoons of black sesame seed oil.
- Two tablespoons of coconut oil.
- A hot towel.
Process for Usage
- Heat and mix the two oils together evenly.
- Apply the warm oil to your scalp and extend to the tips of your hair.
- Continue massaging for at least 15 minutes and cover your hair with a hot towel.
- Allow the oil to sit for about 30 minutes.
- Rinse off your hair with warm water and wash it with a mild, sulfate-free hair shampoo. Condition your hair.
Alternatively, you can include a teaspoon of black sesame seed oil in your foods to slow down the greying of hair.
Frequency
Do this 2 to 3 times a week for best results.
2. Indian Gooseberry Oil
Indian Gooseberry, or Amla, is not simply an old wives’ tale that can help you get rid of greying hair. It is, in fact, a highly potent remedy and cure for a number of ailments, which includes grey hair.
Why Does It Work?
Gooseberry oil(12) contains an abundance of Vitamin C, which not only revitalizes your hair pigments but also reverses the effects of aging. The flavonoids and polyphenols in Indian Gooseberry oil make it a perfect hair tonic to give your greying hair a new life.
Materials Required
- Two tablespoons of Indian Gooseberry oil.
- Two tablespoons of coconut oil.
Process for Usage
- Combine coconut oil and Indian gooseberry oil and heat them together.
- Massage it into your scalp and work your way through the length of your hair.
- Massage for about 15 minutes and leave the oil in for about 30 minutes (or even overnight)
- Rinse off the oil with warm water and wash your hair with a mild, sulfate-free shampoo. Follow it up with a hair conditioner.
Frequency
Follow this hair routine at least 2 to 4 times a week.
CURE 3: Supplements
Normally, the greying of hair indicates a deficiency of a particular vitamin. Since the body is unable to absorb it through natural means, you may take supplements for grey hair reversal. Here are a few that will help:
1. Vitamin E
Vitamin E, in general, ensures the overall hair health by preventing hair fall, reversing hair damage, and even slowing down greying of hair. Let’s see how you can use it to your benefit.
Why Does It Work?
Vitamin E nourishes the hair follicles and prevents the depletion of scalp tissues. Further, Vitamin E contains antioxidants, which counter oxidative stress. In the current lifestyle, the most common reason behind the greying of hair is oxidative stress. Hence, a regular intake of Vitamin E can significantly bring down the volume of grey hair.
Materials Required
- Vitamin E pills.
Process for Usage
- Drain the oil out of the Vitamin E pills and apply it topically to your scalp. Alternatively, you can consume the pill orally.
Frequency
Follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor or mentioned on the packaging to ensure that you are getting sufficient amounts of Vitamin E without overdosing.
2. Vitamin B12
The deficiency of Vitamin B12 is one of the most common causes of grey hair through vitamin deficiency. You can prevent it by supplementing your diet with Vitamin B12 capsules.
Why Does It Work?
Research has found links between premature hair greying and deficiency in Vitamin B12, biotin, and folic acid. Vegetarians and vegans, who do not get their supply of Vitamin B12, are more prone to premature hair greying. Vitamin B12 is also vital for metabolism, DNA production, and maintaining energy levels.
Materials Required
- Vitamin B12 capsules.
Process for Usage
- Consume the Vitamin B12 capsule as per instruction mentioned on the packaging.
Frequency
Follow the directions on the packaging, the recommended RDI for Vitamin B12 in the case of adults is 2.4mcg(13).
Prevention Tips
Fortunately, grey hair is rather natural and occurs with age. On the other hand, premature greying, while concerning can also be treated at home through some home remedies and regular intake of supplements. Additionally, one can also prevent the greying of hair by following a few precautionary measures. Here are some really handy tips on how to prevent grey hair:
- Consume a healthy and vitamin and mineral-rich diet to ensure that your hair remains naturally pigmented.
- Avoid smoking tobacco because it has been linked to premature greying of hair.
- Heat-based hair styling can significantly damage your hair. Avoid it all costs.
- Learn to manage stress levels and lead a more active lifestyle to prevent its damaging effects.
- Include more proteins in your diet as it will supply the requisite amount of keratin to your body.
- Monitor your hormonal levels, especially your thyroid.
- Get rid of chemical-rich, harsh shampoos and switch to mild, organic, sulfate-free shampoos.
- Oil your hair regularly and avoid using perfumed hair oils as they are loaded with chemicals.
- Dye your hair using organic and natural dyes to mask the greying of your hair.
- Regular application of egg oil can also help prevent grey hair.
Spotting a grey hair amongst your tresses can be a rather distressing experiencing for few. However, with a little attention to your diet and a lot of care, your hair can be restored to their healthy state. You can try the home remedies listed above and see what works for you best. Avoid stressors and consume a balanced diet as they have a considerable impact on your hair health.
Do you have a personal favourite recipe that works with greying hair? Let us know in the comments below!
FAQs
Here are a few frequently asked questions about premature hair greying:
1. How to reduce grey hair?
The greying of hair is a natural process and is bound to happen eventually. However, if you are exhibiting signs of premature greying of hair, you could try out the many home remedies listed above.
Additionally, the consumption of food items like curry leaves, ridge gourd, coconut oil, concentrated black tea, etc. can help restore the melanin in your body, which will reduce the incidents of grey hair.
2. Does stress cause grey hair?
Unfortunately, yes! Stress is one of the major contributors to grey hair, especially in the case of the current generation. Hence, you should make efforts to reduce stress through techniques like meditation. Further, you should learn the art of handling stress and treat yourself to a de-stressing vacation every now and then.
3. Does coconut oil and lemon juice work for grey hair?
As per the anecdotal claims, coconut oil and lemon juice do, indeed, help in acting as a highly effective remedy for greying hair.
4. Which foods can naturally re-pigment hair?
Here is a list of a few important food items that can naturally help you in restoring the pigments in your hair:
- Berries
- Shellfish
- Salmon
- Meat Liver
- Carrots
- Curry Leaves
- Spinach
- Eggs
- Chocolate
- Beans
- Sunflower seeds
- Walnuts
5. Can my grey hair turn black again?
You can undo the greying of hair by addressing the cause that leads to hair greying. If you experience premature greying due to genetics, there is a small possibility to reverse the same. However, in other cases, fighting the root cause may offer a positive effect.
