Ayurvedic Remedies for Premature Greying Of Hair

What is premature greying?

Premature greying of hair is an issue affecting both men and women in their younger ages. 

It is caused by various factors, such as genetics, hormonal imbalances, lifestyle habits, and even environmental stressors. 

The melanin pigment in your body starts declining due to these factors and ends up greying hair. 

While some people use artificial dyes or bleach to color their grey hair, they can often cause more damage to the hair follicles in the long run.

Therefore, it is preferable to look for natural remedies.

Ayurvedic Concept on Premature Greying

Premature greying of hair can be an alarming development for anyone. 

While greying is a natural sign of aging in your late 40s, many people suffer from premature greying due to environmental or lifestyle factors. 

Ayurvedic scriptures refer to this condition as “Palitya”, caused primarily by bhrajaka pitta’s vitiation and jatharagni’s imbalance. The imbalance in doshas and jatharagni can hamper the nourishment of bone tissue as Ayurveda considers the hair a metabolic waste of bone tissue; an imbalance in bone health may indirectly reflect on your hair. 

Bone tissue includes all those structures of the body that resist easy degradation. 

Nails, hair, and hair follicles are included in Asthi dhatu mala (metabolic waste of bone tissue). 

The hair follicle is a sensitive touch receptor and produces an oily secretion to help condition the hair and surrounding skin. 

All bone tissue waste accumulates and grows continuously, which is to be cut and maintained properly. 

When the bones are healthy, hair will be healthy. Ultimately, hair issues are an indirect indicator of your declining bone health.

By understanding the Ayurvedic concept of premature greying, one can harness the power of Ayurvedic remedies to combat this issue naturally. Ayurveda focuses on balancing these three doshas – Vata dosha (associated with air and space elements), Pitta dosha (associated with fire and water elements), and Kapha dosha (associated with earth and water elements). 

An imbalance in the three doshas may result in signs such as premature greying, thinning, or hair loss. 

It is important to determine which dosha is out of balance to treat it with an appropriate remedy. 

You can achieve satisfactory results by slightly adjusting your lifestyle through dietary changes, oil massages, and yoga practices, restoring your youthful look within a few weeks.

Causes of Premature Greying

The human hair growth cycle has an average lifespan of 2 to 5 years, and the greying process begins when the hair follicles become old and start producing less melanin. 

This natural process is linked with age, but several external factors can cause premature greying. 

Genetics plays a major part in determining the rate of greying, as do lifestyle choices such as extreme stress levels, nutritional deficiencies, smoking cigarettes, and excessive exposure to harsh chemicals and UV radiation.

Some of the external causes that you may wonder are as follows:

• Poor appetite (low digestive fire)
• Ama (toxins)
• Poor nutrition
• Psychological changes
• Hormonal changes
• Addiction
• Environmental changes
• Use of chemicals
• Scalp diseases such as psoriasis or dandruff
• Medical health issues such as thyroid
• Autoimmune disorder
• Skin problems
• Digestion problems
• Weather changes
• Pollution
• Calcium deficiency
• Iron deficiency
• Vitamin deficiency, especially vitamin B complex
• Scalp or head infections
• Age factor
• Genetical issues, including family history

Causes in women

As we all know, women are susceptible to hormonal changes throughout their lifecycles. 

Those ups and downs have a major impact on your hair health and can cause hair fall, premature greying of hair, baldness, scalp infections, and hair thinness.

• Some of the major reasons are:
• Poor nutrition
• Anaemia
• Menstrual disorders
• Stress/tension/anxiety
• Use of hair dye, bleaches, and other hair-treating chemicals
• Genetic
• Thyroid gland dysfunction
• Hypertension
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Lack of exercise
• Scalp infections
• Salty, spicy food, and junk food

Causes in Men

• Pollution
• Exposure to chemicals
• Use of hair dye
• Constant use of hair caps or helmets
• Underlying medical diseases like thyroid or hypertension
• Salty, spicy food, and junk food
• Dandruff/scalp dryness
• Addiction such as smoking, alcohol, drugs
• Use of chemicals on the head
• Unhygienic conditions
• Use of soaps on the scalp
• Lack of exercise
• Poor nutrition
• Stress and anxiety

Ayurvedic Remedies for Premature Greying

Ayurveda offers a holistic concept of premature greying of hair and provides natural remedies to reduce and prevent greying. 

According to this ancient science, the primary cause of premature greying is an imbalance in one’s doshas, which can be further aggravated by lifestyle and dietary habits. 

The good news is that simple Ayurvedic remedies and lifestyle changes can help restore the balance of doshas and prevent premature greying.

The following are some of the common Ayurvedic remedies for premature greying:

Panchakarma Therapies for Premature Greying

Nasya: Instilling medicated oil or ghee into nostrils is called Nasya. 

This is the best panchakarma treatment to manage hair fall, greying of hair, and damaged hair.

You can use Anu taila, shadbindu oil, sesame oil, or ghee daily.

Basti: In case you are having severe hair issues and wish to cleanse your body, then it is better to go for a basti treatment, especially tikta ksheera basti, which helps replenish the bone tissues and indirectly rejuvenates your hair cells, skin, and nails. 

Basti (procedure like an enema) with milk or medicated oil is very helpful for the skeletal and digestive systems, ultimately improving your skin and hair texture and color.

Virechana: Premature greying is mainly caused by the aggravation of pitta dosha in the body, and the best treatment for it is virechana (Purgation). 

You can do a virechana at your home at regular intervals (let’s say.. in a gap of 3 months or six months, etc) with minimal amounts of castor oil.

Shiro-abhyanga: Apply warm coconut, almond, or amla oil and massage into your scalp and hair. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes before washing your hair. 

This nourishes hair follicles and prevents premature greying. Commonly used hair oil for premature greying includes Kayyunyadi keram, prapaundarikadi thailam, Neelibhringadi keram, Bhringamalakadi tailam etc.

Shiro-pichu: Shiro-pichu, Soaking cotton in medicated oil or simple coconut or sesame oil and applying it over the head nourishes the scalp skin, flourishes the new hair follicles, and helps prevent greying.

Shirodhara: Pouring medicated Brahmi oil or milk or buttermilk on the forehead, specifically on the third eye chakra (ajna-chakra), relieves stress and helps to treat hair fall, greying of hair, and new growth of hairs.

Along with these therapies, you must also replenish your cells internally. For this, you should consult an Ayurvedic physician to determine the real cause of this disorder and consume accordingly.

Natural remedies to reduce premature greying

Apart from ayurvedic treatments, which should be under expert supervision, natural remedies include foods with antioxidants that help fight free radical damage, thus preventing grey hair formation. 

Foods rich in Vitamin B12 – sardines, salmon, etc.; Vitamin E – almonds and spinach etc.; Vitamin C – oranges, grapefruits, etc., iron- oysters, whole grains, etc.; zinc- pumpkin seeds, apples, etc.; biotin – eggs, soybean etc., copper – lentils, mushrooms, etc.; are some examples of vital nutrients for promoting healthy hair growth.

Herbal remedies are one of the most popular methods used by Ayurveda to combat premature greying. 

Common herbs include amla or Indian Gooseberry, hibiscus flowers, and shikakai powder. 

Amla is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which helps restore melanin production. 

In contrast, hibiscus flowers are known for their cooling properties that reduce stress levels, which can contribute to premature greying. 

Shikakai powder also helps replenish the body with nutrients such as protein, calcium, and phosphorus that help maintain healthy looks.

Use of Triphala, Hibiscus, Amla, Shikakai, and Reetha as hair packs or hair oil

• Triphala, hibiscus, and amla can be used internally too
• Hair pack with fenugreek
• Hair pack with henna and indigo leaves
• Hair pack with Triphala, neem, and buttermilk
• Hair pack with hibiscus and yoghurt

How to prevent premature greying naturally

Hair greying is a natural process in the aging phase, but it can happen earlier in some individuals.

Premature greying of hair is a traumatic experience for anyone as it affects self-confidence. 

While a range of synthetic products is available to restore hair color, people increasingly rely on natural treatments like Ayurvedic remedies to prevent and combat premature greying. 

To prevent or slow the onset of premature greying, add nutrient-rich foods to your diet, reduce stress levels through exercise or meditation, and quit smoking if you are a smoker. 

Combining these simple steps with natural Ayurvedic remedies may help reverse the effects of premature greying or slow them down significantly.

Some of the important tips you should follow for healthy and shiny hair are as follows:

Don’ts

• Try to avoid drinking too many caffeinated drinks.
• Cut down on alcohol and smoking.
• Avoid taking too much salt, junk food, pickles, etc.
• Maintain a stress-free life.
• Keep your scalp clean by washing it with Triphala concoction.
• Try to avoid using chemically treated oils, gels, creams or shampoo.
• Try to avoid hair treatments that include chemically mixed lotions or make your hair and scalp dry. Your hair is naturally beautiful and shiny!
• Avoid blow-drying your hair; let it dry on its own!
• Do not expose your scalp and hair to heat and pollution.
• Avoid washing with chlorinated water at the swimming pool.
• Avoid taking hot water showers on your head for hair wash.
• Avoid using hair coloring with ammonia-containing creams. This can damage your hair permanently.
• Refrain from shampooing your hair frequently. A sit can lead to extreme dryness.
• Stop combing those wet strands immediately after a head shower.

Do’s

• Eat a healthy and balanced diet rich in biotin, iron, calcium and other vitamins
• Oil and massage your scalp regularly
• Use herbal shampoos and oils for the good health of hair roots
• Use backcombing for hair growth and to form new follicles once
• Practise Yogasana and pranayama regularly
• Ensure to cleanse your body periodically with ayurvedic panchakarma therapy at least once in six months to maintain your three doshas in balance.
• Use natural home-made shampoos or mild shampoos free from sulfates, synthetic fragrance, formaldehyde, silicon, and PPD (para-phenylenediamine)
• Wash your hair regularly at frequent intervals.

Role of Diet in Preventing Premature Greying

The Ayurvedic concept of premature greying suggests that a healthy diet and lifestyle modifications can be important in preventing premature greying.

A healthy diet is a key to growing strong, black, shiny, dense hair, according to Ayurveda.

Focus on consuming foods that nourish the hair and maintain its health.

A diet rich in antioxidants and vitamins helps to reduce hair fall and stimulates the growth of healthy hair follicles. 

Antioxidants help fight free radicals, damaging hair follicles and leading to premature greying. 

In addition, emphasise foods that are rich in biotin, copper, folic acid, iron, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc since they help in hair growth and prevent early greying. 

These nutrients can be found in foods such as nuts (almonds), eggs, fish (salmon), dark chocolate, and green leafy vegetables (spinach).

We must focus on what we eat to reduce the chances of premature greying. 

A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals is crucial in maintaining healthy hair growth and preventing early greying. 

Foods rich in vital nutrients such as Vitamin B12, iron, copper, iodine, etc, are also recommended for healthy hair growth and to help combat premature greying. 

Additionally, foods with antioxidant properties, like green leafy vegetables and fruits such as blueberries, can be beneficial in reducing the risk of early greying due to their anti-inflammatory properties.

Avoid Stressful Foods

Stress has been linked with premature grey hair. 

Hence, it is important to avoid stressful foods that can aggravate your stress levels further. 

This includes processed foods such as packed snacks containing high amounts of sugar or salt, fried foods high in trans fats, caffeinated beverages like coffee or energy drinks, sugary drinks like soda pops, alcohol, etc. 

All these food items can increase the risk of oxidative stress, leading to premature hair greying.

Foods To Include In Your Diet

Certain foods have been associated with reduced chances of developing grey hair prematurely:

Salmon is loaded with omega-3- 3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation and boost collagen production for healthier-looking hair.

Spinach is rich in Vitamin A and iron, which helps maintain healthy scalp and hair Growth.

Almonds Are a rich source of biotin that helps strengthen your tresses

Amla: It is a rich source of Vitamin C, which helps boost collagen production and increases melanin levels, resulting in darker colouration & preventing premature greying

Cruciferous vegetables: Kale, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and so forth are in this category. 

These veggies are incredibly high in elements that support healthy hair, such as iron, folate, vitamins, and calcium.

Dark chocolates: Though it may surprise some, dark chocolate is surprisingly high in antioxidants and other minerals. 

Toxins that may be causing premature greying of the hair can be eliminated from the body with the use of antioxidants. 

It also has a lot of copper, which helps produce melanin.

Diary products: Milk, cheese, yoghurt, and other dairy products are high in protein, calcium, vitamin B12, and other elements that help produce melanin. 

Particularly, yogurt is high in antioxidants and probiotics.

Eggs Are a great source of protein, which our bodies need to keep our hair healthy. 

It also contains a lot of vitamin B12, a shortage associated with early greying. 

It is recommended that you eat entire eggs rather than simply white ones. It helps prevent damage due to free radicals & keeps your hair healthy.

Soybeans are often used as a preferred plant-based diet alternative for protein due to their high versatility. 

But soybeans are also a great source of many other nutrients. 

The body may also receive the antioxidants it needs from fermented varieties to combat radicals that cause early greying of the hair.

Vitamin B9 and other minerals that keep our hair healthy may be abundant in lentils. 

Adding lentils to your regular diet is simple because they are highly adaptable and can be prepared in various ways.

Mushrooms are loaded with copper and other essential micronutrients. As was already established, copper facilitates the synthesis of melanin. This gives our skin and hair their natural color. 

A melanin deficiency may also accelerate hair greying.

Biotin-rich foods: As discussed earlier, almonds, flax seeds, and salmon are high in biotin. 

The biotin component directly impacts our skin, hair, and nails.

Ayurveda recommends a balanced diet with all six tastes – sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent. 

Eating according to the seasons will keep your doshas balanced and promote overall health, including hair health. 

Focusing on hair-nourishing foods, scalp massage, herbal hair oils, and limiting stress will give you the mane you’ve always dreamed of.

Pro Tip: Consume a daily triphala, ghee, and honey mixture. 

This will help prevent aging and keep you rejuvenated throughout your life. 

You will start feeling the benefits within six months. 

You may be astonished by its benefits as it may even help you eliminate your spectacles.

Importance of lifestyle in preventing premature greying

Ayurvedic treatment for greying hair is a holistic approach to achieving and maintaining a healthy head of hair. It includes lifestyle changes such as eating healthy, exercising regularly, reducing stress, and practicing good personal hygiene. Lifestyle factors can play an important role in the prevention of premature greying.

Healthy Diet

Eating a balanced diet is key to preventing premature greying. Foods rich in vitamins A, B-complex, C, and E, zinc, copper, and iron are essential for healthy hair growth and can help prevent premature greying. Eating foods like spinach, kale, sweet potatoes, eggs, fish, nuts, and seeds can give the body the necessary nutrients to prevent premature greying.

Reduce Stress

Stress is one of the main causes of premature greying. Excessive stress can lead to hormonal imbalances, which can cause the hair follicles to lose pigment prematurely. 

It is important to reduce stress levels by engaging in activities that relax and restore balance, such as yoga or meditation, to minimize this effect. Taking time from a hectic schedule to practice self-care will also help reduce stress.

Regular Exercise

Exercise helps boost circulation, ensuring oxygen-rich blood reaches all body parts, including the scalp and hair follicles. 

Regular exercise also helps reduce stress, which can positively affect the overall health of the scalp and hair follicles. 

Taking part in exercises like walking or jogging for 30 minutes three times a week can greatly improve overall health, which will help prevent premature greying over time.

Practice Yoga asanas such as Ustrasana (camel pose), Matsyasana (fish pose), Trikonasana (triangle pose), Adho Mukha – svanasana (downward facing dog pose), Halasana (plough pose), Pavan-muktasana (knee folding to chest), Sarvangasana (shoulder stand pose), Shirshasana (headstand pose)

Practising pranayama such as Bhramari pranayama, Nadi-shodhana pranayama, Om jap sadhana are also beneficial

Rubbing nails is interesting; for this, you have to fold the fingers of both your hands and bring them together. 

Rub the exposed surface of the fingernails of both hands vigorously, leaving out the thumbs. 

Practice this daily at least three times. These are acupressure points that are indirectly connected to your hair health.

Good Personal Hygiene

Practicing good personal hygiene, such as washing your hair regularly with a mild shampoo, will help keep it clean and free of toxins that can cause damage, leading to premature greying over time. 

Additionally, using natural oils such as coconut or olive oil to massage your scalp once or twice a week will help nourish your scalp, providing essential nutrients for healthy hair growth and helping combat dryness caused by shampooing too often.

FAQ’s

Can Ayurveda cure premature greying?

Premature greying is a problem faced by many across the world. 

While modern science has yet to find a definite answer to this issue, Ayurveda has many ways of preventing and managing it accurately. Intake of Triphala daily with honey, ghee, and Nasya with Anu taila is proven effective. 

Intake of rasayana or rejuvenating drugs is beneficial.

How to Reverse Premature Greying?

Prevention is the key when it comes to greying hair. 

However, you can also reverse greying by significantly making dietary and lifestyle changes. 

Increasing the intake of vitamins like Vitamin B12, folic acid, biotin, and proteins helps delay the greying process. Foods rich in Vitamin B12 include eggs, shellfish, dairy products, and fish. 

Similarly, foods rich in folic acid include leafy vegetables like spinach or broccoli, while biotin-rich foods include nuts or eggs. 

Eating a balanced diet with enough proteins helps keep your scalp healthy and stronger.

Ayurvedic remedies have been used for centuries to treat premature greying of hair. 

Amla oil is known to be beneficial for treating grey hair as it contains antioxidants that help fight free radicals that damage healthy tissues, including hair follicles, leading to grey hair and even baldness. 

Regularly applying this oil nourishes the scalp and strengthens the roots, thus preventing grey hair from coming early. 

Besides Amla oil, many other natural remedies can be used to reduce greying, such as black sesame seeds, henna leaves extract, or curry leaves paste, which, when applied regularly, help maintain the natural color of your hair and improve its texture! 

Along with these remedies, drinking sufficient water daily helps keep your scalp hydrated. 

It prevents dryness, leading to grey hairs coming up earlier than expected.

Lastly, making simple changes in diet along with lifestyle modifications is important when preventing premature greying of hair. 

Eating more nutritious food with lots of vitamins, including proteins, can do wonders for your health, including your hair health! 

Similarly, staying away from cigarettes or alcohol helps maintain overall health, which reflects positively on your physical appearance, including your crowning glory – Hair!

Which dosha causes premature greying?

According to the Ayurvedic concept, the main causes of premature greying are Pitta dosha and Vata dosha. 

Among the pitta dosha, bhrajaka pitta is responsible for hair health. When bhrajaka pitta increases due to poor diet or lifestyle choices, it can cause premature greying. 

On the other hand, Vata dosha is a combination of air and space elements and plays an important role in movement, including blood flow, oxygenation of cells, etc. 

Imbalance in vata can also cause premature greying, affecting circulation to hair follicles.

Which ayurvedic oil reduces premature greying?

Kayyunyadi keram, Bhringamalkadi taila, Neelibhringadi keram, Prapaundarikadi thailam, etc., are commonly used oils in Kerala. 

These are known to nourish and strengthen hair roots and combat premature greying. 

These oils contain many beneficial ingredients in herbs, plants, flowers, bark, roots, etc., which help enhance scalp condition and promote healthy hair growth.

Can Triphala cure premature greying?

Yes, you have heard it right.

Triphala has been used in Ayurveda for many centuries as a natural remedy to reduce the occurrence of premature greying. 

Triphala combines three different fruits: Amalaki, Bibhitaki, and Haritaki. All three herbs work together to promote hair health and growth and reduce the effects of premature greying.

Triphala is often prescribed for premature greying because it has anti-aging properties that help maintain healthy hair color. 

It helps to nourish the scalp and strengthen weakened roots, promoting thicker and darker hair growth. 

Additionally, its antioxidant properties help protect the scalp from environmental damage and reduce scalp inflammation. 

Furthermore, its natural detoxifying action helps remove toxins from the body, which can cause discoloration of hair follicles, leading to grey hairs.

Does amla cure premature greying?

One of the most popular and effective Ayurvedic remedies for premature greying is amla, also known as Indian Gooseberry. 

Amla is rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids, all of which help promote healthy hair growth. 

It also helps strengthen your hair’s roots, preventing it from falling out or turning grey prematurely. 

Some studies have even shown that amla can reverse the greying of hair when applied topically or consumed orally.

Which fruit is best for premature greying?

Among all fruits, Amla or Indian gooseberry is highly effective for preventing premature greying. 

Regular intake of amla powder mixed with honey helps reduce hair fall and promotes pigment production in hair follicles. 

Additionally, amla juice can be applied topically on the scalp to reduce hair fall and restore pigment production in hair follicles. 

Furthermore, one must follow an appropriate diet and lifestyle changes to help maintain healthy hair growth and nourish hair from the outside. 

Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins A & E can help nourish your scalp and prevent greying of hair due to nutrient deficiency.

Also, oranges, grapes, blueberries, etc., are rich in zinc, iodine, copper, and vitamin B complex (B12, to be specific); these are very good for enhancing the production of melanin pigment.

 Is curd good for grey hair?

Curd has lactic acid, which helps nourish the scalp from within and adds luster to the hair. 

It helps restore the natural balance of oils on the scalp, which is necessary for healthy hair growth. 

It also keeps dry scalp at bay and prevents breakage or excessive greying of hair due to dryness. 

The topical application of curd revitalizes your locks with essential proteins, vitamins, and minerals important for healthy tresses. 

In addition, curd has antibacterial qualities that help in treating some scalp conditions like dandruff, which may contribute to greying of hair in some cases. 

Using curd as a conditioning mask after shampoo can soothe inflammation on the scalp and give your mane a natural shine.

However, consuming curd internally can trigger premature greying as curd is hot in potency and can aggravate pitta dosha, thereby causing premature greying.

Conclusion

Ayurveda provides an effective solution for naturally treating premature greyness of hairs! While premature greying is not cured, ayurvedic remedies can provide a more natural approach to managing it. 

For those looking to take a holistic approach to reducing the signs of premature greying, Ayurveda has several natural treatments that may be beneficial. 

It’s cost-effective and safer compared to synthetic products that might contain harmful chemicals or toxins that could further damage your scalp or strands if used regularly over time! All you need is patience while you use these natural ingredients regularly until the desired results start showing up!