Gray hair is a nightmare for anyone when someone finds first gray hair on his/her scalp or anyone tells him/her, especially more stressful for women. Graying or whitening of hair is natural as we get older, mostly after the age of 50 our hair becomes white gradually. Having premature gray hair is an alarming signal If you are in your early 30’s or even younger.
Why Hair Color turns Gray or White?
The roots of our hair strands are surrounded by a tube of hair tissue or “follicle” which contains pigment cells. These pigment cells are responsible for producing a chemical called “melanin” to color our hair, whatever we get genetically by our parents, black, brown, blonde etc. The pigment cells gradually begins to die, as we get older and in a result melanin production slower down or even stop producing melanin, hence natural color of hair turn to gray slowly and gradually.
Before sinking into remedies, I think it is logical to know the causes of premature graying of hair.
What Causes Premature Graying of Hair
- Genetics and hereditary are the number one cause of premature graying of hair
- Lack of vitamins and minerals like vitamin B-complex, iodine, copper, and iron
- Medical conditions, for instance, thyroid, chronic cold, constipation etc
- Faulty diet
- Hormonal imbalance
- Smoking
- Stress or mental worries
- Excessive use of electric dryers or iron
- Chemical based shampoos, hair colorings and hair dye
- Deficiency of folic acid
- Nutritional deficiency
- Dirty scalp
Natural Home Remedies for Premature Gray Hair
It has always been a sensible idea to turn to the nature for curing any disorder. These homemade remedies not only are cheap and effective but also protect us from harmful chemical side effects.
Here are some useful natural home remedies to get rid of gray hair.
Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar
- Mix apple cider vinegar and water in equal proportion
- Rinse your hair with the solution
- Cover hair with towel and let it sit in for at least 30 – 60 minutes
- Rewash your hair
- Use this method once a week for few months
- Don’t use apple cider vinegar if you already color your hair, because ACV is highly acidic and it could intervene with the chemicals of the hair color
Lemon and Coconut oil remedy
- Fresh lemon juice (3 tablespoons)
- Coconut oil (quantity as much you required to coat your hair)
- Mix both ingredients
- Massage onto your scalp gently
- Comb to the entire length of your hair
- Leave it for about an hour
- Now wash your hair with some natural shampoo
Rosemary and Sage treatment
- Rosemary ½ cup.
- Sage ½ cup.
- Boil in water for at least 30 minutes.
- Allow 2 – 3 hours to cool it down.
- Apply on your hair and scalp.
- Let it dry for an hour and then wash out.
- Repeat this treatment every week.
Prevent Gray Hair with Indian Gooseberry/Amla and Fenugreek Powder
- Take amla or Indian gooseberries, keep in shady place to dry
- Cut gooseberry/amla into pieces and grind
- Now mix 2 tablespoons of gooseberry/amla powder, 1 tablespoon of fenugreek powder and 1 cup of coconut oil in a pan
- Put the pan on stove on a medium flame
- When its color turns to brown, put it off the stove
- Let the mixture be cool for some time
- Use it before coconut oil turns to solid state
- Strain and pour it in a bottle or jar (preferably glass)
- Massage daily on your scalp before going to bed and wash off in the morning
Treatment of Gray Hair with Curry Leaves
- Take handful of curry leaves
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
- Boil them until they become red
- Strain and apply onto scalp
- Allow 30 – 45 minutes before washing off your hair
- You may follow this magical treatment once or twice a week
Black Seed Oil and Olive Oil, Natural Remedy to Treat Gray Hair
Black seed oil and olive oil are being used to treat gray hair for thousands of years. Mixtures of both the oils help grow new hair follicles and make them shiny.
- Mix black seed and olive oil in equal proportion
- Apply and massage gently with your fingertips
- Wait for about an hour to let it sit and then wash it with lukewarm water
- Repeat this natural remedy on daily basis