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.