A common problem that adults usually face as they grow older is greying of the hair. Some people embrace it, while others try every possible way to hide the greys. Sometimes, one may observe premature greying of hair as well. However, what most people do not know is why our hair changes color and what are the factors responsible for it. Dr. S Yasmin, MD Ayurveda, Assistant Professor at SASAS Ayurveda Medical College, Andhra Pradesh informs us more about it.
She explains, “Melanocytes are the cells that are responsible for the color of hairs, every hair follicle has melanocytes in it. Melanocytes inject melanin into the strand that gives the hair its color. Usually, as we grow old, the melanocytes slowly stop producing the melanin, thus the hair strands turn grey and then white. But other factors are also responsible for grey hairs like lack of proper nutrition, chronic illness, or stress. These factors may also lead to greying of hair at an early age, known as premature greying.”
Common Factors And Ayurvedic Factors Responsible For Greying
Here are some of the factors as per Ayurveda, as explained by Dr. Yasmin, that cause hair greying. These are categories into four categories:
1. Ahara (Dietary factors)
Use of Extremely or very Hot, spicy, oily, salty and sour food, acidic, fried, and fermented foods. Consumption of meat in large quantities. Frequent and regular consumption of alcohol, tea, and coffee. Curd also may aggravate Pitta dosha and be the reason for premature greying. Also, lesser moisture and nutrients reaching hair follicles can lead to it.
2. Vihara: (External and Behaviour factors/lifestyle)
This includes exposure to certain environmental factors, changes in lifestyle and regimen. Some of these factors are:
- Staying up all night for working night shifts, watching movies, reading books, working on screens, etc.
- Too much exposure to the sun and the harmful UV rays during the daytime
- No application and massage of oil on the head, leading to improper nourishment of both scalp and hair follicles.
- Hair washes with polluted and hard water due to the unavailability of fresh, soft water. The former may have higher salt content and its continuous usage can harm the scalp.
- Excessive or strenuous workout and fasting for longer durations, etc.
3. Manasik Hetu: (Psychological factors)
Feelings like anger, sorrow, stress, and anxiety are all considered to aggravate both pitta and Vata doshas, which can cause premature greying.
4. Anya Hetu: (Miscellaneous factors)
- Pitta Prakriti people naturally develop premature greying of hair.
- Although one’s hair color can be hereditary, there are no direct references available to consider that it may also cause early greying of hair. However, it may indirectly be a causative factor.
- The color and texture of hair may also depend on the region one is living in.
Some other factors may include: Pollution
- Lack of proper nutrition
- Hormonal imbalances
- Usage of chemical dyes
- Deficiency of Vitamin B 12, B5, D3, iron, copper, Calcium, as well as iodine deficiency.
- Excess of Vitamin E could lead to premature greying.
- Certain medical conditions and their treatment.
Also Read: Is There Treatment For Hair Loss?
10 Ways To Prevent/Treat Grey Hair:
Here are some of the ways in which you can treat/prevent greying of hair, as recommended by Dr.Yasmin.
- Abhyanga or massage with sesame oil or amla oil for 6 months is considered to be helpful. Sesame oil is the base oil for many medicated oils used in Ayurveda. Massaging the scalp and applying it to the roots is an excellent way to reduce greying.
- Coconut oil and curry leaves are the most common and effective combination and have been used for generations. Curry leaves are a natural source of calcium, phosphorus magnesium iron, and copper, which provide nourishment to the hair and hair follicles. It also enhances melanin formation. To prepare, boil curry leaves (about 100 gm) and coconut oil together and then let it cool down. Once it cools down to room temperature, filter it to remove the curry leaves. Now massage the oil on your scalp then wash your hair with lukewarm water, using a herbal shampoo.
- Prepare a paste with some curry leaves and a cup of buttermilk and apply it to your scalp. Keep it for 30 mins and then wash it off with a mild shampoo.
- Consuming sesame seeds can also be helpful. You can dry roast and consume them. Also, having a handful of black sesame seeds first thing in the morning followed by a glass of water provides excellent nutrition to the hair. This can be done as a part of breakfast, twice weekly.
- Bhringaraj (Eclipta alba) is one of the best natural remedies for grey hair treatment. It enhances metabolism and starts the process of restoring the natural color of the hair. It is also known as Kesharanjan (a Coloring agent for hair). Bhringraj powder can be added to hair packs to retain color, reduce hair loss and promote hair growth.
- Eating one amla (Indian gooseberry) fruit daily is the best practice not only to treat premature greying of hair, but it can correct metabolism, eliminate toxins, and is one of the best rejuvenation medicines.
- Coconut oil processed with fresh amla juice can be used for scalp massage or one can use various hair oils that contain amla. Amla powder too can be added to hair masks/hair packs.
- You can also drink 30ml of fresh amla juice daily.
- Stress is one of the major causative factors for premature greying of hair. Therefore, Brahmi is one of the best herbs for treating stress. Brahmi helps best to stop premature graying of hair and helps restore the natural color, lost due to stress. Massage your hair and scalp with Brahmi oil to keep Pitta in balance or add Brahmi powder to a hair mask.
- Henna application is one of the best treatments for grey hair because of its coloring and conditioning properties. Soak henna in an iron utensil overnight to prepare a hair mask and add other herbs to enhance its properties. Apply it for some time before washing your hair.
