What Causes Grey or White Hair?
Grey or white hair can be a nightmare. This is a universal and widespread problem that occurs when melanocytes around the hair follicle reduces the amount of melanin it produces (or stops completely). The hair is mainly made from a protein called keratin, and as the hair grows, the melanocytes around the hair follicle inject melanin into the cortex of the hair shaft, which results in its dark color. Keratin without melanin is a yellowish grey color, so when the melanocytes slow down, the hair begins to lose its color.
There are several causes for this decrease in melanin production. Some are natural—such as genetics, age, and natural chemical changes in the body. Other causes are due to extrinsic factors that may be treatable, such as diet and stress. Many chemical hair colors contain ammonia, which is an industrial bleaching agent and severely harms the hair in the long run. Always avoid chemical based shampoos and use herbal ones instead. Other extrinsic causes can be more difficult to avoid, like pollution.
Section of Hair Follicle
Cross section of hair follicle. The cortex is the part of the hair that stores the melanin, which is what makes up the color of your hair. The rest of the hair is largely made up of keratin.
Finding a Natural Cure, or Using Ayurvedic Medicine
Grey hair is normally associated with old age, though it can also be seen in young people. My son began finding his first grey hairs at the age of 19, while my great-grandmother did not have a single white hair when she died at the age of 85.
My great-grandmother practiced traditional Indian, or Ayurvedic, medicine, and the remedies collected here are from her. They worked wonders on my son, especially the focus on his diet. I am 50 years old, and for me the results are evident but not as prominent, as I am irregular and careless with the remedies.
For those who are not familiar with Ayurvedic medicine, it uses nature to supplement the body's deficiencies and strengthen the immune system. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It is always best to turn to nature for remedies before going to a doctor, because modern medicines generally cure one problem but, like a metastasis, cause other, sometimes graver, side effects. It is my endeavor to provide all-natural resources so that you can avoid such adverse effects.
These natural remedies are far better than the chemical dyes that leech into the skin and may cause cancer.
We are Proving You Information in following areas
- Natural dyes that impart color to the white hair and need repeated applications.
- Remedies that boost the production of melanin pigment and keratin protein in the hair, which causes the color of the hair.
- Diet and massage tips to further boost the production of melanin and keratin.
There are many options, but many include rare ingredients that are difficult for the common man to find fresh in the store—for these, I have included where you can find them online. I recommend reading through them and finding the one that works best for you.
The table below shows all 16 remedies at a glance. Further down, you can read about each remedy in detail.
Natural Remedies for Grey Hair
Ingredients
|
Type of Remedy
|
Best for
| |
|---|---|---|---|
1
|
Black tea
|
Natural dye, melanin and keratin boost
|
All ages, but especially young people who are only covering a few grays.
|
2
|
Sage
|
Natural dye, melanin and keratin boost
|
All ages
|
3
|
Coconut oil, lemon
|
Melanin and keratin boost
|
Premature greying (young people)
|
4
|
Curry leaves, coconut oil
|
Melanin and keratin boost
|
Premature greying (young people)
|
5
|
Ribbed gourd, coconut oil
|
Melanin boost
|
All ages, but especially young people
|
6
|
Henna, coffee, curd, lemon juice, catechu, brahmi, Indian gooseberry, mint powder, vinegar
|
Natural dye
|
All ages
|
7
|
Earth
|
Massage to boost melanin and keratin production
|
Best for grey hairs caused by old age
|
8
|
Henna, coconut oil, curd, shikakai, soap nut, Indian gooseberry, lemon juice, vinegar
|
Natural dye
|
All ages
|
9
|
Sesame seeds
|
Massage to boost melanin and keratin production
|
Premature greying (young people)
|
10
|
Bahera
|
Melanin and keratin boost
|
All ages
|
11
|
Indian gooseberry, hibiscus
|
Natural dye
|
All ages
|
12
|
Coconut oil, fenugreek
|
Melanin and keratin boost
|
All ages
|
13
|
Mango kernel oil, Indian gooseberry
|
Natural dye
|
All ages
|
14
|
Indian gooseberry, bhringraj
|
Diet
|
Premature greying (young people)
|
15
|
Triphla, bhringraj
|
Diet
|
Premature greying (young people)
|
16
|
Oil
|
Massage to boost melanin and keratin
|
All ages
|
1. Black Tea Remedy
Black tea is a natural dye that will make hair darker.
Black tea works best with prematurely grey hair, and is simple to make—you only need two ingredients. You can leave the tea in for up to two hours, or you can leave it in for less time and apply it more frequently. The amount of times you use this black tea rinse will have a cumulative effect—the more you do it, the more of an effect you will see.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons black tea leaves
- Water
Directions:
- Boil the tea leaves in water.
- Allow the tea to cool down to room temperature.
- Strain out the tea leaves, then apply the tea to your hair. If you have long hair, one of the easiest ways to apply the tea is to pour it into a small spray bottle. Spray the tea into your hair and brush to make sure that the tea is spread evenly.
- After roughly an hour (you can go as long as two hours), rinse the tea out with cold water. Do not shampoo.
2. Sage Water Treatment
Sage can also be used to make an effective natural dye to hide grey hair.
The herb sage is one of the most effective remedies for grey hair. It both stops the growth of grey hair and restores natural hair color.
Ingredients:
- Sage leaves (preferably black sage)
- Water
Directions:
- Boil the sage leaves in water.
- Remove from heat and allow the tea time to cool down.
- Spray the room-temperature liquid all over the hair. Allow it to sit for two hours.
- Wash with mild shampoo or soap.
- This will add a bit of color each time you use it to wash your hair. Use this remedy for few weeks, and the results will be visible.
3. Coconut Oil and Lemon Remedy
Coconut oil and lemon juice will nourish your hair and leave it dark and shiny.
This effective recipe uses ingredients you may already have in your kitchen. It should be used at least twice a week to make hair black, soft, and shiny and slow the graying process.
Ingredients:
- Coconut oil (enough to thoroughly coat your hair)
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Directions:
- Mix the coconut oil with the fresh lemon juice.
- Gently massage it into your scalp, then comb it through the entire length of your hair.
- Leave it for an hour.
- Wash it out with mild shampoo or soap.
4. Coconut Oil and Curry Leaves Remedy
Curry and coconut leaves can be used to promote the production of melanin and keratin.
This is the perfect remedy for young people with premature grey hair.
Ingredients:
- Coconut oil
- Curry leaves
Directions:
- Boil the curry leaves in coconut oil.
- Strain out the leaves, then allow the coconut oil to cool down to a temperature that will be comfortable to apply.
- Massage the curry coconut oil into your scalp and allow it to sit for up to an hour before washing it out with with soap.
5. Ribbed Gourd Remedy
This remedy effectively restores the melanin pigmentation in hair.
Ingredients:
- Dried ribbed gourd
- Coconut oil
Directions:
- Soak the dry pieces of ribbed gourd in coconut oil for three days.
- Boil the mixture until a black residue is formed.
- Massage it into your hair and leave it in for an hour.
- Rinse it out.
6. Henna Catechu Remedy
Henna and coffee work together with other ingredients in the recipe to dye your hair a darker color.
Henna is a classic natural hair dye. This recipe should be used twice a week for soft black hair.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup henna powder
- Coffee powder
- 1 tablespoon curd
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon catechu (Latin name: Acacia catechu)
- 1 tablespoon brahmi (Latin name: Bacopa monnieri; also known as Indian pennywort of waterhyssop)
- 1 tablespoon Indian gooseberry (Latin name: Phyllanthus emblica; also known as amla)
- 1 tablespoon dry mint powder
- Vinegar
Directions:
- Use a plastic, wooden, or stainless steel bowl, because the henna can react to certain metals.
- Mix the henna powder with as much coffee powder as desired (the henna will result in a reddish color; the coffee results in a more brownish color). Add the curd, lemon juice, catechu, brahmi, Indian gooseberry, and dry mint powder. Add vinegar until it makes a thick paste.
- Let the mixture sit for two hours.
- Apply the paste onto your hair. Leave it in for an hour.
- Rinse out the dye completely with water.
Alternative: Indian Gooseberry and Henna Pack
The Indian gooseberry, or amla, is an important medicinal food used in many of these hair remedies.
This hair pack is one of the most effective home remedies for gray hair, and it's perfect if you don't have all of the ingredients for the recipe above. This pack dyes hair and leaves it soft, silky, and shiny.
Ingredients:
- Fresh henna paste
- 3 tablespoons Indian gooseberry powder (Latin name: Phyllanthus emblica; also known as amla)
- 1 tablespoon coffee powder
- Water
Directions:
- Prepare a fresh henna paste and add the gooseberry and coffee powder.
- Mix until you have a uniform paste. Add water if necessary.
- Apply it evenly throughout your hair. A shower cap can be helpful to prevent the dye from dripping. Let it remain for two hours.
- When the two hours are up, wash out the henna completely with a mild soap or shampoo.
7. Earth Wash Remedy
This earth wash grey hair remedy uses ingredients right out of your backyard.
This natural remedy requires nothing but the earth from outside. It slows the greying process, has no side effects, and is also good for headaches, sleeplessness, and eye inflammation.
Ingredients:
- Earth dug from deep within the garden or field
- Water
Directions:
- Add some water to your earth to make a solution.
- Filter the solution through a sieve, cheesecloth, or coffee filter and wash your hair with the extract.
- Use the remedy once a week for soft, strong, and black hair.
8. Henna, Shikakai, and Soap Nut Remedy
Henna and Indian gooseberry grey hair remedy.
This is another natural herbal henna dye. It's best to use an iron bowl while mixing these ingredients, as the iron oxidizes the contents and makes the dye darker.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup henna
- 2 tablespoons Indian gooseberry (Latin name: Phyllanthus emblica; also known as amla)
- 1 tablespoon shikakai (Latin name: Acacia concinna)
- 1 tablespoon soap nut (Latin name: Sapindus mukorossi; also known as reetha powder)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons curd
- 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
- vinegar
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients in an iron bowl. Mix it until it forms a paste, and leave it in the bowl overnight.
- Apply the paste on hair in the morning. Let it sit in your hair for two hours.
- Thoroughly rinse out hair.
Alternative: Shikakai and Indian Gooseberry Rinse Remedy
If you do not have all of the ingredients for the recipe above, try this alternative. This remedy makes the hair shiny and soft and is best applied in the summer. It stops and retards the process of hair whitening.
Ingredients:
- 25 grams Indian gooseberry (Latin name: Phyllanthus emblica; also known as amla)
- 25 grams shikakai (Latin name: Acacia concinna)
- 500 grams vinegar
- Coconut oil
Directions:
- Combine the Indian gooseberry, shikakai, and vinegar to form a paste, and let it sit overnight. If the herbs are not powdered, break them into small pieces and soak them in the vinegar overnight. Mash the contents in the morning to form a paste.
- Massage the mixture onto your scalp and throughout your hair. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes.
- Wash out the rinse, then apply the coconut oil to dry hair. With repeated applications, your hair will become strong and black.
9. Sesame Seed Remedy
Sesame seeds are full of nutrients necessary for melanin and keratin production.
If available, choose black sesame seeds for these remedies. Because they have not been hulled, they retain more nutrients than white sesame seeds. However, both are rich in trace minerals and vitamin B. This remedy will reduce hair loss and turn white hair black.
Ingredients:
- Sesame seeds
- Water
Directions:
- Soak the sesame seeds in water to make them soft.
- Use a food processor to mash them into a paste. You can also do this with a mortar and pestle, but the food processor is much less effort.
- Apply the resulting paste to the scalp and throughout the hair with gentle massaging movements.
Other Sesame Oil and Shankhpushpi Oil Remedies
The oil from dwarf morning glory (Evolvulus alsinoides) can be used to stimulate hair growth.
Both sesame and shankhapushpi (Latin name: Convolvulus pluricaulis; also known as English speed wheel) are excellent for hair. The shankhapushpi plant has white or light-blue flowers, and is found 1800 meters above sea level. It is used to cure thyroid problems, epilepsy, and coughs, and it is said to improve memory.
The regular massage of either sesame or shankhapushpi oil helps turn white hair black by stimulating melanin and keratin production. Here are a few other ways of using these plants besides the sesame seed recipe above:
- Boil the roots and leaves of sesame plant and wash the hair with the extract to turn white hair black.
- Another option is to buy the readily available black sesame oil. Boil it, and, when it returns to a temperature that is warm but not hot, massage it throughout your hair to slow premature greying. This will also keep the hair soft, black, and dense.
- Prepare shankhapushpi oil in the same way (by boiling it and allowing it to cool to a comfortable temperature). You can also use oil from the dwarf morning glory (Latin name: Evolvulus alsinoides). The regular application of these oils turn white hair black.
10. Indian Bahera or Terminalia Bellirica Remedy
This remedy will turn white hair black in a few days.
Ingredients:
- Powdered bahera (Latin name: Terminalia bellirica)
- Oil
Directions:
- Mix the bahera with oil
- Apply the mixture throughout hair.
- Rinse hair with water.
11. Indian Gooseberry and Hibiscus Flower Remedy
Hibiscus is the national flower of Malaysia. Its leaves are often crushed and mixed with soap nut to be applied on hair. With regular application, it leaves hair healthy and shiny, stops hair loss, acts against dandruff, and turns white hair black.
Ingredients:
- Indian gooseberry (Latin name: Phyllanthus emblica; also known as amla)
- Hibiscus juice (Latin name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis; also known as Chinese hibiscus or gurhal)
Directions:
- Crush the Indian gooseberry into a smooth pulp.
- Mix the Indian gooseberry with the hibiscus juice.
- Apply this as a rinse to your hair regularly.
12. Fenugreek and Coconut Oil Remedy
Fenugreek, also known as methi, can be combined with coconut oil and applied to hair as a remedy for greys.
This remedy will slow greying.
Ingredients:
- Fenugreek leaves or powder (Latin name: Trigonella Foenum-graecum; also known as methi)
- Water
- One tablespoon coconut oil
Directions:
- If you have fresh fenugreek leaves, wash them in clean water, then mash them into a paste. Dry the paste in sunlight and prepare a powder of it. If you have fenugreek powder, skip this step.
- Mix the powder into coconut oil.
- Apply the mixture to your hair, and leave it in for half an hour.
- Rinse your hair with water.
13. Mango Kernel and Indian Gooseberry Remedy
Unrefined, organic mango kernel oil is a very effective remedy for regaining black hair and preventing hair loss. It moisturizes, soothes, softens, and nourishes both skin and hair.
Mango kernel oil can be applied by itself in the same way that sesame oil can be applied.
Ingredients:
- 1 part powdered mango seed/stone
- 1 part mango kernel oil or mango butter
- 1 part powdered Indian gooseberry
- Water or vinegar
- Henna (optional)
Directions:
- Mix the powdered mango seed, mango kernel oil or better, and Indian gooseberry. Use a 1:1:1 ratio, and create as much as is needed for your hair. Add henna if desired.
- Add the water or vinegar to make a paste.
- Let the mixture sit for at least 12 hours.
- Apply the mixture to your hair and wait until it dries—about two hours.
- Throughly rinse out hair.
Eat healthily so that your hair gets all of the nutrients it needs.
For a healthy and balanced diet, you must be sure to:
- Consume Vitamin-Rich Foods: In order to prevent and delay the graying process of hair, make sure to get sufficient amounts of vitamins B and E daily. Cashew nuts, almonds, walnuts, fresh fruits, and vegetables are all good sources for these vitamins. Also decrease your sodium intake, because sodium speeds up the appearance of grey hair.
- Drink Lots of Water: A lot of toxins get deposited in the body when the endocrine system malfunctions. This leads to many health problems, including premature aging and grey hair. Drink up to 10-12 glasses of water daily to flush out these harmful toxins.
- Avoid Junk Food: Hair can become grey due to malnutrition and overconsumption of fast food or junk food. Instead, eat natural foods that are high in iron, calcium, vitamin B, and vitamin C. Options include fresh fruits, lemon juice, vegetable soups, etc.
14. Indian Gooseberry and Bhringraj Remedy
Eat this daily for longevity, black hair, and sharp eyesight. It is best to mix and boil these remedy in a clay pot; since you are consuming the contents, you do not want them to oxidize, as they would in a metal container.
Ingredients:
- Indian gooseberry (Latin name: Phyllanthus emblica; also known as amla)
- Bhringraj juice (Latin name: Eclipta Alba; also known as bhangra)
Directions:
- Make a thick powder of Indian gooseberry and place it in a plate of Chinese clay.
- Cover it with the bhringraj juice so that the Indian gooseberry is completely soaked.
- Boil the contents, then dry them.
- Take three to five grams daily with fresh water.
15. Triphala and Bhringraj Remedy
Like the previous remedy, this nourishes hair and sharpens eyesight. Triphala means "three fruits," namely the Indian gooseberry, bahera (Latin name: Terminalia bellirica), and hurd (Latin name: Terminalia chebula) that it's made out of. It comes in a powder and is one of the most important Ayurvedic medicines. It's easily available in the market.
Ingredients:
- Triphala
- Indian gooseberry (Latin name: Phyllanthus emblica; also known as amla)
- Bhringraj juice (Latin name: Eclipta Alba; also known as bhangra)
Directions:
- Boil the triphala and Indian gooseberry in the Bringraj juice.
- Dry the resulting mixture.
- Take two to three grams of the resulting powder with water in the mornings daily.
16. Oil Massage Delays Hair Graying
For an oil massage, you can use almond, olive, mustard, coconut, Indian gooseberry, or mango kernel oil. Whichever oil you choose, be sure to buy it fresh and organic, and to use that particular oil over time to get better results.
Directions:
- One hour before washing your hair, massage the oil into your scalp, then comb it through the rest of your hair.
- After an hour, wash your hair normally.
Other Remedies
- Massage butter oil into your scalp and hair daily before your shower.
- Eat sesame.
- Regularly wash hair with a gram flour and milk/curd mixture.
- Rub hair regularly with onion paste, and it will turn black.
- Take a multivitamin containing minerals like zinc and copper, which prevent premature graying.
- Rub crushed raw or unripe papaya into hair for 10 minutes to cure dandruff and hair loss.
- Mix Indian gooseberry powder with lemon juice and rub the resulting paste into hair regularly. The white hairs will become black.
- Add black pepper and a spoonful of lemon juice to half a cup of curd. Rub it into hair, then wash after 15 minutes. The hair will become black with regular application.
- Rot leeches in red wine for 45 days, then apply the liquid to your hair to turn white hair black.
Note: Any one or all the above remedies can be used at the same time.
