Premature graying of hair is often a great concern for younger adults in their 20s or 30s as gray hair make them look much older than they are.
The problem can be caused by factors like a genetic predisposition, poor nutrition, hormonal fluctuations, smoking, pollution, stress, use of unsuitable hair products, and certain diseases such as chronic colds, sinusitis, and thyroid disorders.
Basically, strands of hair turn white or gray due to low amounts of melanin, the pigment that gives your hair its natural color. The melanocyte activity slows down with age and the body gradually stops producing melanin.
Here are some of the reasons for premature greying of hair mentioned below:
- Hereditary
- Vitiligo
- Stress
- Vitamin and nutrient deficiency
- Aging
- Excessive intake of tobacco
- Anemia
- Hypothyroidism
- Pollution
- Malnutrition
- Tuberous sclerosis
Here are some home remedies for Premature Graying of Hair
#10 Curry Leaves and Coconut Oil Massage
One of the most common herbs used to temper Indian curries, curry leaves have amazing benefits for hair as well. It is the most effective natural grey hair solution. Vitamin B present in curry leaves restores the functions of the natural pigment in the hair follicles that provides a shining black color to the hair strands and prevents further greying of hair. It also supplies essential nutrients to the hair and heals damaged hair roots. Being a rich source of beta-carotene, it stimulates hair growth and prevents hair fall. The benefits of coconut oil for hair and skin are numerous as well. It is the best natural conditioner for dry, rough hair that smoothen the open hair cuticles and makes hair lustrous, bouncy and manageable.
What to do:
Coconut Oil – 1 Cup
Curry Leaves – Handful
Add the curry leaves to the oil and boil it for 6 to 8 minutes, or till the leaves turn black. Remove from flame and let it cool. Strain the oil in a container and massage your scalp and hair with this oil 3 to 4 times per week before going to bed. Wash off with a mild herbal shampoo in the morning.
#9 Amla and Fenugreek Pack
Amla or Indian gooseberry is one of the most effective home remedies for grey hair and has been used since ancient times in Ayurveda for treating all kinds of hair problems. Being a rich source of antioxidant vitamin C, it has amazing anti-aging properties and helps in preventing premature greying of hair. It also promotes hair growth and improves hair health. Fenugreek or methi is a common kitchen spice, but it is loaded with nutrients such as vitamin C, Iron, potassium, lysine, L-tryptophan and alkaloids that have amazing benefits for hair and skin. It prevents premature greying, treats follicular problems to prevent hair fall, promotes hair growth and prevents scalp dryness as well as dandruff. In addition, it also acts as an effective natural remedy for acne and pimples.
What to do:
Dried Amla – 5 to 6 pieces
Fenugreek – 1 Tablespoon
Coconut Oil – ½ Cup
Turn the fenugreek seeds to a smooth powder and keep aside. Heat the oil and add the amla pieces to it, let it boil for 5 to 6 minutes, add the fenugreek powder to the oil, let it boil for another minute and remove from flame. Let it cool and strain the oil, apply on scalp and hair before going to bed. Wash off with a mild herbal shampoo in the morning.
#8 Lemon Juice and Almond Oil Massage
Being a rich source of antioxidant vitamin E, almond oil acts a natural remedy for treating wrinkles, fine lines and age spots. Almond oil is extremely beneficial for hair as well. Massaging scalp and hair with almond oil prevents premature greying of hair. It nourishes the roots of the hair, improves elasticity and prevents split ends. It treats dandruff and adds a healthy glow to hair. Lemon is a rich source of vitamins B, C and phosphorus that promotes hair growth by supplying nourishment to the hair roots. It adds volume and shine to the hair strands.
What to do:
Almond Oil – 2 Tablespoon
Lemon Juice – 3 Tablespoon
Mix almond oil and lemon juice in a glass bowl and apply thoroughly on scalp and hair, Leave it on for 30 minutes and wash off with a mild shampoo.
#7 Black Tea Massage
The benefits of black tea for cancer prevention and improving cardiovascular health are well known. But it also has great benefits for skin and hair. Loaded with antioxidants and caffeine, black tea stimulates hair growth and improves strength and elasticity of the hair strands to prevent brittleness and breakage of hair. It adds a natural dark hue to hair and adds a natural shine to it.
What to do:
Black Tea Powder – 2 tablespoons
Salt – 1 Teaspoon
Boil 2 tablespoons of black tea and 1 teaspoon of salt in water for 2 minutes and remove from flame. Let it cool and strain the liquid. Wash your hair with this liquid and let it dry, don’t rinse with shampoo. Repeat it 2 to 3 times per week for best results.
#6 Onion and Lemon Juice Pack
Onion is an age old remedy for treating problems of hair loss and thinning hair. It is also one of the most effective grey hair remedies that help in preventing premature greying of hair. Research shows that deficiency of antioxidant catalase and deposition of hydrogen peroxide in the hair roots are the two chief reasons for premature hair greying. Onion juice boosts up the level of catalase, thus restoring the natural color of the hair strands. Lemon juice adds a healthy shine to hair and prevents excessive oiliness of hair.
What to do:
Onion Juice – 3 Teaspoon
Lemon Juice – 2 Teaspoon
Mix onion and lemon juice in a glass bowl and apply on scalp and hair evenly. Leave it on for 30 minutes and wash off with a mild herbal shampoo. Repeat it 4 to 5 times a week for 2 weeks.
#5 Rosemary and Sage Treatment
Rosemary and sage are widely used for treating various skin and hair conditions. Rosemary works effectively in promoting hair growth and checks hair fall. It improves the pigmentation process of hair, thereby preventing premature hair greying. It also helps in treating dandruff and itchiness of the scalp. Sage also helps in preventing the premature greying of hair, and it also acts as a natural remedy for fighting cellulite.
What to do:
Rosemary – 1/2 Cup
Sage – 1/2 Cup
Add dried rosemary and sage to 2 cups of water and start boiling the mixture. Boil it for 30 minutes and set it aside for 2 hours. Now, apply the mixture thoroughly on scalp and hair and leave until it dries completely. Wash off with a mild herbal shampoo. Repeat it 2 to 3 times per week to get dark, shining hair.
#4 Ribbed Gourd Therapy
Ribbed gourd, also known as ridge gourd is a common vegetable that can be easily spotted in Indian kitchens. This vegetable functions as an effective natural treatment for grey hair. The enzymes in ribbed gourd are known to restore the normal levels of the pigment melanin in the hair roots that help in preventing greying of hair. It also supplies essential nutrients to the hair roots to enrich and strengthen them.
What to do:
Ribbed Gourd Pieces – 1 Cup
Coconut Oil – 1 Cup
Cut the vegetables into medium sized pieces and dry them out in the sun. Soak the pieces of dried gourd in coconut oil for 3 days. Boil the oil along with the pieces of the gourd for 6 minutes, strain the oil and store in a container. Massage your scalp with this oil before going to bed 3 to 4 times a week and wash off in the morning.
#3 Buttermilk Pack
Blending of buttermilk and curry leaves is an age old remedy for treating premature grey hair. Other than being an amazing source of probiotics that improves digestive health, it is also a rich source of lactic acid that acts as a natural conditioner for hair. It increases the smoothness of hair and makes it more manageable. It also helps in preventing premature greying of hair.
What to do:
Curry leaves – A handful
Buttermilk-1/4th Cup
Crush the curry leaves well to form a smooth paste and add the buttermilk to it, mix well and apply as a pack on scalp and hair to cover the hair strands from root to tip. Leave it on for 30 minutes and wash off hair with a mild herbal shampoo.
#2 Shikakai Cleanse
Shikakai, scientifically known as “Acacia Concinna” has been used since ancient times as a natural shampoo for cleansing hair. It is one of the most effective natural remedies for preventing premature greying of hair. Shikakai also stimulates hair growth, prevents hair fall and being rich in vitamin C, prevents excessive dryness of the scalp thereby reducing dandruff and scalp itching and irritation. Shikakai pods are easily available in stores selling herbal products, and you can either use the pods whole or crush them to form a powder.
What to do:
Shikakai Pods – 4 to 5
Sour Curd – ½ Cup
Ground the pods in a food processor to turn it into a smooth powder. Whisk the curd and add the powder to it, mix well and apply on hair. Let it stay for 20 minutes and wash off with water.
#1 Amaranth Juice Pack
The health benefits of consuming this leafy vegetable need no new emphasis. Loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates, it is one of the best foods for improving overall health. Amaranth also functions as an effective natural grey hair treatment. The juice extracted from the leaves of amaranth contain a certain enzyme that helps in improving the level of melanin that prevents premature greying of hair and also restores the natural black color to grey hair strands. In addition, it also helps in preventing hair fall.
What to do:
Fresh Amaranth Leaves – 2 Cups
Rinse the leaves with water and crush them thoroughly to extract the juice from the leaves. Shampoo your hair and towel dry. Apply the freshly extracted juice on scalp and hair evenly and massage for 5 minutes, leave it on for 30 minutes and rinse well with water.
Do not expect instant results. You will have to follow these home remedies regularly for a few weeks or even months to see noticeable results. After all, patience is a virtue.
Don’t forget to share
Home Remedies for Premature Graying of Hair
Sign up here with your email