Hi Guys, I am Ashu & back with a new curiosity.
This time it is about premature greying of the hairs. This is a common problem throughout the society, especially among urban dwellers.
I noticed a sudden rise in the white hairs in my hair scalp especially on the back side. This gave me a shock & for a while I looked older than my friends.
When I told my mother about this, she just ignored it by saying, “These are indications that you are no longer a boy, start behaving like a man.”
So, in the end, I was only left with an option to visit Know Ur Diet to get information about home remedies to stop white hair naturally. Let us discuss what I found on it:
What is Premature Greying of Hair?
Premature hair greying is a health condition where hairs in your body. Especially, hairs on the scalp or in the beard & moustaches start losing their black colour & turn white.
Although, hair greying is a natural process & it is associated with ageing. However, there are multiple reasons behind premature greying.
Hair greying occurs when your black hair strand loses its pigment & due to the lack of pigment it turns white. Having white strands of hair can be distressing & can negatively impact your social life. Before discussing about home remedies for white hair, let us discuss some common reasons for white hair.
Common Reasons for White Hair
Hair greying is a complex health issue & to find the exact reason behind hair greying is quite difficult. However, studies have found some notable reasons why people are more likely to have white hair than others. Some of them are:
DNA or Genes
If you have a family history where your parents or grandparents have experienced premature greying of hair, then you are at high risk of having the same problem.
Deficiency of Melanin
melanin is a compound or pigment that provides natural colour to the hair. Any reduction in the activity of the Tyrosinase enzyme that regulates the production of melanin can also accelerate hair whitening.
“The pathogenesis of canities or gray hair is believed to occur either from insufficient melanin formation due to melanocyte degeneration or a defect in melanosomal transfer”.
– National Library of Medicine
Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal imbalance especially thyroxine from the thyroid gland can affect your hair colour. This is because the thyroid gland plays a vital role in regulating the metabolism & health of the person.
Medical Condition
If you are a person who is regularly taking medicines related to heart disease or diabetes, then you might face premature greying of hair.
Nutritional Deficiency
Deficiency of certain nutrients like Vitamin B12, Zinc, Copper & Folic acids can also accelerate the hair whitening process.
Stress
Stress can affect the human body in multiple ways & one of them is premature greying. Stress stimulates oxidative damage of hair follicles & restricts the production of melanin.
Use of Hair Chemicals
Most hair products like hair gel, shampoos & other styling products contain a lot of artificial chemicals that can hinder the natural production of melanin & accelerate hair greying.
Smoking or Alcohol consumption
Smoking & Alcohol involve the intake of compounds that are responsible for the fastening of oxidative stress. This process can damage hair follicles & affect the natural colour of hairs.
Hydrogen Peroxide
hydrogen peroxide is a reactive byproduct that forms in hair follicles due to metabolism. When the body is unable to clean up this compound then it can damage the hair follicles & cause whitening of hair.
Pollution
Air pollution can play a significant role in alleviating your premature hair whitening problem. Not only pollution but even longer exposure to sunlight that carries UV radiations can damage hair follicles & restrict the production of melanin pigment.
Let us discuss the home remedies to stop white hair naturally and the different ways to use them for better effects.
10 Home Remedies or Foods to reverse hair greying naturally
After discussing the major reasons behind the premature greying of hair. Let us now focus on 10 home remedies for white hair:
Coconut Oil
Traditionally, coconut oil is considered a natural remedy to prevent premature greying. Natural compounds & antioxidants present in coconut oil help to prevent oxidative stress in the hair follicles.
Coconut oil can also be added to daily meal preparation. However, the impact of consuming coconut oil on premature greying is limited. You can say that antioxidants & minerals in it can support your hair health.
How to use coconut oil to prevent white hair:
- Take some drops of coconut oil in a bowl & warm it to speed up the absorption.
- Massage your scalp or beard gently for 5-10 minutes until the oil reaches the lower part of the hair.
- Leave the oil overnight or for some hours before washing it.
- To enhance its properties, add some amla powder or curry leaves to it.
Ginger
Ginger is often considered a medicinal cure for premature hair whitening because of its certain chemical compounds & antioxidants. Using ginger oil or ginger juice for massaging the scalp helps improve blood circulation in hair follicles.
Adding ginger as a spice to your regular meals can also be helpful. Gingerol an antioxidative compound in ginger can prevent oxidative stress on hair cells. Other nutrients in it like Magnesium, Phosphorus & Potassium can help boost melanin production.
How to stop hair whitening through Ginger:
- Chop ginger into small pieces & grind it to get ginger juice.
- Mix ginger juice with other healthy oils like coconut oil or sesame seed oil.
- Warm that mixture for better absorption.
- Apply it on the scalp & beard, and massage properly until it reaches deeper.
- Leave it overnight or for a few hours before washing it out.
Amla (Indian Gooseberry)
When you are making a list of home remedies for white hair, then you should not neglect the importance of Amla or Indian Gooseberry for avoiding grey hair. Amla is a rich source of Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant against free radicals.
Consuming Amla juice regularly can support digestion & improve absorption of nutrients in the body. Nutrients in Amla promote the production of melanin which is essential for maintaining the natural pigment of the hair.
How to stop hair whitening through Amla:
- Make Fresh Amla juice & consume 1-2 tablespoons on a daily basis to detoxify your body.
- Use Amla oil to promote blood circulation & strengthen the hair. Massage your hair 1-2 times a week with Amla oil.
- You can even use an Amla & Yogurt mask. To make it mix 1-2 teaspoons of Amla powder in yogurt & apply it on the scalp or beard.
- You can use curry leaves & amla water as well to wash your hair after shampooing it.
Desi Ghee (Clarified Butter)
Since Ancient India, Desi ghee or clarified ghee has been used to prevent or cure multiple health conditions, one of which includes premature hair greying. Ghee is a great source of various nutrients like Fatty acids & Vitamins such as vitamins A, D & E.
These vitamins & minerals prevent oxidative stress & promote the production of melanocytes & collagen to provide natural hair colour. Applying ghee to the scalp reduces the dryness, flakiness & irritation.
How to stop hair whitening through Desi Ghee:
- Take 2-3 tablespoons of warm Desi ghee in a bowl & massage your scalp with it until it is properly absorbed by the hair.
- Apply the paste prepared by mixing desi ghee & amla powder on your scalp. Leave it for half an hour & then wash it with warm water.
- Consuming 1-2 tablespoons of desi ghee daily supports overall health including hair & skin health.
Read more: 5 Health Benefits of Bilona A2 Cow Ghee & its Comparison
Almond Oil
You might be surprised to know that consuming Almonds or applying Almond oil to your hair can help you avoid premature hair whitening. Similar to other home remedies to stop white hair, Almond oil provides you with several nutrients that are responsible for maintaining hair health.
Vitamin B7 or Biotin present in Almond oil is vital for the development of keratin, a protein required for strengthening hair follicles & preventing hair from damage.
How to stop hair whitening through Almond oil:
- Daily consumption of 5-10 overnight-soaked almonds can provide you required nutrition for hair health.
- Applying Almond oil can nourish your scalp & stimulate blood circulation.
- You can also make almond oil & amla mask to strengthen your hair.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an effective herb to tackle hair whitening problems. Even in Ayurveda, it has been considered a cure for multiple skin & hair issues. Ashwagandha is categorised as an adaptogen a compound that regulates stress levels by lowering cortisol.
Moreover, Studies have found that Ashwagandha can boost thyroxine hormone production. This is critical for hair pigmentation & growth.
How to use Ashwagandha to prevent hair whitening:
- You can take Ashwagandha in the form of tea. To make Ashwagandha tea, mix 1 teaspoon of ashwagandha powder in warm water along with herbal tea.
- Ashwagandha oil is also available in the market, you can apply the oil & massage your scalp with it to relieve stress.
Rosemary (Mehendi)
Another herb or home remedy to prevent hair greying is rosemary. In markets, you can find multiple skin & haircare products containing rosemary oil as their primary ingredient. This is because rosemary carries bioactive compounds that nourish or strengthen hair follicles & promote hair growth.
How to use Rosemary to prevent hair greying:
- Apply 5-10 drops of warm rosemary oil to your scalp thrice a week & massage it properly in your scalp.
- You can use rosemary-infused water to wash hair after shampooing to strengthen hair follicles.
- Amla powder & Rosemary oil mask can help you in boosting melanin production.
Onion
You might have heard your parents suggesting onion juice to promote hair growth. In a similar way, onion can be helpful to prevent hair whitening. Onion contains Sulfur, a key component in the production of keratin protein.
Another important antioxidant in onion is quercetin which reduces the impact of free radicals on the hair cells. Also, onion juice can limit the effect of hydrogen peroxide on hair follicles.
How Onion can help to prevent hair greying:
- Grind 1-2 onions in a juicer or mixer until they turn fine particle paste. Now, squeeze the paste to get fresh onion juice.
- Now, apply this onion juice on your scalp or beard 2-2 times a week to stop hair whitening.
- You can buy onion powder from the market & mix it with oils like almond oil or coconut oil to make it more potent. Then, apply it on the scalp or beard.
Curry Leaves
Curry leaves are an integral part of Indian cooking but you should know that these high fragrance leaves are effective in preventing hair whitening. These leaves contain bioactive compounds & antioxidants that are helpful in stimulating melanin production & reducing the impact of free radicals on hair follicles.
Similarly, curry leaves can remove the hydrogen peroxide buildup in the scalp. This strengthens the hair follicles & stops the process of hair whitening.
How to use Curry leaves to prevent hair whitening:
- Boil curry leaves in water for 10-20 minutes, cool it down & use it post-shampooing.
- You can prepare curry leaves oil by heating dried leaves with coconut oil for 10-15 minutes & then using it for massage on the scalp.
- Grind curry leaves & mix them with coconut milk or yogurt to make a paste. Then, apply the same paste as a hair mask for nourishment & shining hair.
Sesame Seeds
Although sesame seeds are tiny in size, they are loaded with multiple nutrients & antioxidants. Due to their health benefits, Indian & Chinese traditional medicines have used these seeds to prepare cures for health issues.
Copper & Iron in these seeds are vital to strengthen the hair follicles. They are also packed with different omega acids making hair strands healthy & strong. Studies have also found a positive impact of sesame seeds on the production of melanocyte cells.
How to use Sesame seeds to prevent premature hair greying:
- Consuming 1 tablespoon of black sesame seeds 2-3 times a week to slow down the hair greying process.
- Apply heated sesame seeds on your scalp & massage them properly to make hair shine & moisturize them.
- Make a hair mask from sesame seeds oil & amla powder to strengthen your hair.
Read more: 10 Health Benefits of Sesame Seeds (Til) for Male & Female
Other Factors that Impact Premature Hair Greying
Although applying or consuming these home remedies to stop white hair is effective, certain factors can also impact this process:
Exercising
Regular physical activities & workouts can reduce the stress levels & balance the hormonal release in the blood. If you want to slow down the process of hair whitening, then regular exercise should be part of your lifestyle.
Meditation
It is now scientifically proven that meditation can be an effective weapon against stress & anxiety. Meditation can also pacify the inflammations in your body that are responsible for accelerating oxidative stress. Yoga an ancient meditation practice can be effective in minimising stress levels.
Balanced Diet
Every health issue that we face throughout our lifespan is directly associated with what we consume. So, if you want to avoid hair whitening, then you should have a balanced diet that contains all essential nutrients & prevents nutritional deficiency.
Conclusion
So, in the end, when we are searching for a proper answer to the question of, how to stop hair whitening, then what you consume in your daily meal plays a vital role.
There are multiple reasons for white hair but by applying these home remedies, you can slow down the process of premature hair greying.
Also, remember that these foods to reverse hair greying naturally can only stop or deaccelerate the process. None of them can reverse the already grey hairs you are having.
Moreover, choose the home remedy as per your nutritional requirement & sensitivity to any particular food. Because you might observe allergies after consuming some of these foods.
