The presence of hair plays an important role in people’s overall physical appearance and self-perception. As a result of increased life expectancy, the desire to look youthful plays a bigger role than ever.The use of medicinal plants is as old as mankind and the market will face many new products containing natural oils and herbs in coming years.
Unaddressed stress can impair the immune system of the body, resulting in inflammation, damage to hair follicles, and early development of grey hair, dermatologists have warned.
The skin and hair experts explained that the damage to hair follicles might cause a decrease in the amount of melanin, which is the substance responsible for hair colour.
While noting that the primary cause of premature greying of hair is considered to be genetic, they noted that certain environmental factors also influence hair colour.
Among the main causes of premature greying, according to her, are imbalanced diets, work-related stress, poor sleep, and dehydration.
Grey hair is part of ageing, especially for those above 40 years. However, consuming foods high in antioxidants can help remove free radicals that are created during prolonged stress and inflammation.
Antioxidants are fruits and vegetables. WHO recommends that you should take between four to five servings of vegetables and fruits every day. And it should be varied. Maybe take a little helping of watermelon, pineapples, green leafy vegetables, and cucumber every day. This will help because you are infusing your body with a lot of antioxidants and minerals that will combat the oxidation and stress that happen in the body and reduce the effect of stress.
Stress-related greying can be caused by multiple factors. It is not just the cortisol itself that causes it, but the way that cortisol interacts with other hormones and chemicals in the body. When cortisol levels are high, the body produces less dopamine, which can lead to greying. Early greying may be a sign of something serious, such as an autoimmune disease. Therefore, it is important to consult with a doctor if you notice a change in your hair color. While stress-related greying may be common, there are other causes of greying that can be managed, and it is important to get a diagnosis and start treatment as soon as possible. With proper care, many people can reverse their greying and regain their natural hair colour.
What Causes Gray Hair?
It’s a well-known fact that (nearly) everyone gets gray hair as they age.
However, there are different causes for graying hair depending on your age, genetics, race/ethnicity, and state of health.
According to a study from the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, the average age for graying in Caucasians is mid-thirties, people of Asian descent late-thirties, and people of African descent mid-forties. 1
Let’s start by examining why our hair turns gray with age.
Hair goes through natural cycles of falling out and regenerating itself.
As we age, usually between 35-50, the new hairs that grow in are more likely to be gray or white.
This is generally due to three factors:
- Reduced production of melanin, a natural substance that pigments your hair. 2
- Reduced enzymatic function New research shows going gray results from a buildup of hydrogen peroxide in hair particles, which causes a bleaching effect. Typically, an enzyme called catalase will break down peroxide, but catalase production starts to slow as we age. 3
- Oxidative stress. Research has shown that oxidative stress from free radical damage can cause various forms of aging, including graying of hair. 4
Genetics largely determine when you’ll start getting gray hair, but they’re not the only factor.
Early or premature graying of hair can be caused by nutrient deficiencies, stress, or other health issues.
This should come as good news to anyone concerned about early or premature aging.
Although you may not be able to reverse graying hair, you may be able to stop it or slow it down once you identify the root cause.
Working with an integrative doctor or health care professional can be a great way to help pinpoint individual causal factors.
In addition, here are some natural remedies that may help stop gray hair.
1. Get More B-Vitamins, Especially B5, B9 (Folate), Biotin, & B12
B vitamins are found in various whole foods and are essential to overall health and beauty.
Unfortunately, many people may be deficient in specific B vitamins related to hair health, such as:
- B5 (Pantothenic Acid) 5
- B9 (Folate) 6
- Biotin: 7
- B12 (Cobalamin) 7
A deficiency or insufficiency in these nutrients can result in poor hair quality, including premature or early graying of hair.
What’s causing B-vitamin nutrient deficiencies in well-fed people in the first place?
Research has shown many things can contribute to B-vitamin deficiencies, including:
- Genetic mutations: Such as MTHFR and others, are known to interfere with the absorption of B12 and folate. Therefore, health experts typically recommend specific forms of these nutrients such as methylcobalamin and folate vs. folic acid. 8 9 10
- Gut health issues: Such as dysbiosis, SIBO, and intestinal permeability (also known as leaky gut) can also cause absorption issues. 11
- Medications: Including the use of antacids and birth control pills. 12 13
- Autoimmunity: Certain autoimmune conditions, such as IBS or Hashimoto’s, can result in lower levels of nutrients. 14
This may explain why a person can be eating plenty of B-vitamin-rich foods yet still be deficient.
An experienced functional medicine or integrative health doctor or practitioner can help identify potential issues with B-vitamin absorption and correct supplementation.
You also can’t go wrong by eating a nutrient-dense, whole-food, B-vitamin-rich diet of colorful vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins.
2. Get A Handle On Stress
The idea that stress can cause gray hair has been around for centuries, but is it true?
Up until recently, the evidence linking stress with gray hair was largely anecdotal.
However, new evidence has shown a link between stress and gray hair.
A National Institutes For Health-sponsored 2020 study published in Nature found acute stress increasing graying of hair in mice through the fast depletion of melanocyte stem cells (the cells that produce pigmenting melanin). 15
Another study published in Cell Biology found previously gray hair could return to its colored state when the subject’s stress levels were reduced. 16
For tips and advice on reducing stress, including using adaptogenic herbs like Ashwagandha, check out: 14 Self-Care Ideas To Manage Stress And Maintain Your Well-Being.
3. Consider These Traditional Ayurvedic Herbs
It pays to think outside the box when attempting to stop gray hair naturally.
This is why many turn to traditional wellness systems, such as Ayurveda, the traditional wellness practice of India.
You can find various articles and video tutorials outlining Ayurvedic herbs, hair masks, oils, and other solutions for hair health and stopping grays.
A few of the most popular herbs for gray hair include:
Amla
Also known as Indian Gooseberry; Ayurvedic practitioners recommend Amla to be taken internally and/or used externally to stop or slow the progression of gray hair.*
One popular method is to mix Amla powder with yogurt or coconut oil and apply it as a hair mask several times weekly.
This is promoted as a way to darken existing gray hairs and practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine believe it may help prevent future grays.
Although there is no \scientific evidence supporting its efficacy for gray hair, some people believe that Amla contains various nutrients such as antioxidants, vitamin C, minerals, and amino acids, that may help support healthy hair. 17
Amla also contains tannins, which would explain how it works as a hair dye.
You can find Amla in Gaia Herbs Hair, Skin, & Nails Support formula.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha has a long history of use for supporting a healthy stress response, stamina, and hormonal health. 18
It’s also commonly used in Ayurveda hair health, including stopping or preventing gray hair.
There is no scientific evidence that Ashwagandha can stop or prevent gray hair.
Ashwagandha can be taken internally as a supplement, such as Gaia Herbs Ashwagandha Root or Ashwagandha Gummies.
You can also find hair mask recipes that combine Ashwagandha with coconut oil. Proponents claim this combination helps repigment gray hair. There is no evidence to support this anecdotal use.
Curry Leaves
Curry Leaves, which are not the same as curry powder, are another Ayurvedic remedy for stopping or naturally covering gray hair.
Although there is no current scientific data to support their use, their naturally occurring B vitamins and antioxidants may help stop or slow the graying process.
Topical preparations typically combine crushed and dried Curry Leaves with coconut oil, which is then heated and used as a hair tonic.
Some practitioners also recommend taking Curry Leave internally for best results.
4. Get Checked For Mineral Deficiencies
Research has shown adequate levels of certain minerals are critical to hair health and pigmentation.
Specifically, iron, zinc, and copper have been linked to premature graying. 19
Unfortunately, many people do not consume enough mineral-rich foods, such as fruits, leafy green vegetables, nuts, and seeds, to meet the minimum requirements.
Certain health conditions, medications, and stress levels can affect how your body absorbs and utilizes minerals. 20 21
Your doctor or healthcare practitioner can help you determine if you have a mineral deficiency or absorption issue and if supplementation is recommended.
You can also take steps to ensure you’re eating plenty of mineral-rich foods, including:
Iron-rich foods such as: 22
- Red meats
- Liver
- Dark meat poultry
- Oysters
- Shrimp
- Tuna
- Eggs
- Dark leafy greens
- Beans
- And legumes
Copper-rich foods such as: 23
- Beef liver
- Unsweetened chocolate
- Oysters
- Potatoes
- Shiitake mushrooms
- Cashews
- Crab
Zinc-rich foods:
- Oysters
- Meat
- Fish and seafood
- Poultry
- Pumpkin seeds
- Beans
- Nuts
- Whole Grains
- Eggs
5. Get Your Thyroid Checked
As mentioned previously, thyroid hormone issues can cause premature or early hair graying in some people. 24
Fortunately, a series of lab tests can identify thyroid problems.
Unfortunately, not every doctor or healthcare practitioner will offer advanced thyroid testing beyond the standard TSH test.
The potential problem with this is that the TSH test only measures one aspect of thyroid health (thyroid stimulating hormone).
TSH is a vital puzzle piece, but many other factors must be considered.
Learn more about the proper thyroid tests to ask for from a licensed Functional Medicine Physician in: Thyroid Symptoms, Labs, & Supplements To Discuss With Your Doctor.
6. Try Catalase-Rich Foods
Catalase is the enzyme that breaks down hydrogen peroxide and prevents hair from going gray. 25
A lack of catalase due to aging, health issues, or other factors can accelerate hair graying.
Although there’s been plenty of talk about creating a “miracle catalase” product to prevent and reverse gray hair, that hasn’t become a reality (and the FDA has gone after supplement companies claiming to have created these products).
In the meantime, people rely on catalase-rich foods, eaten internally or applied topically to the scalp, to try and delay hair graying.
Does it work?
There is anecdotal evidence to suggest it might help, but no studies are validating that.
However, catalase-rich foods are also rich in other health- and healthy-hair-promoting nutrients, so it can’t hurt to try!
Some catalase-rich foods include:
- Onions (which is why you may find tutorials for onion juice hair tonics)
- Garlic
- Almonds
- Beef liver
- Leeks
- Cabbage
- Broccoli
- Kale
- Cucumber
- Pineapple
- Potato
- Sweet Potato
- Bananas
7. Options For Non-Toxic, Natural Hair Color
If you’re searching for natural ways to stop gray hair, chances are you want to avoid using chemical-based hair colors.
You probably also want to avoid using natural dyes that don’t work on gray, require too many applications, or aren’t truly natural.
Is there such a thing? Yes, there is.
Although there aren’t as many options as with conventional hair color, you can find an excellent solution comparable to chemical-based color with a little trial and error.
Here are your basic options for natural, non-toxic hair color:
1: Henna
If the idea of Henna makes you think of red hair gone wrong, you must check out modern henna products.
Various natural hair color experts have dialed in on how to combine henna with other natural substances traditionally used as dyes, such as indigo, coffee, and chamomile, to create great-looking colors in various shades.
It may require a two-step process, but if you’re looking for an affordable, chemical-free option, this may be worth your time.
Many henna products will last as long as conventional hair color.
2: Hair repigmentation systems, like Hairprint
If you have brown, dark brown, or black hair that’s not more than 50% gray without a lot of white hair, a company called Hairprint’s all-natural hair repigmentation system may be a great fit. At the time of publication, they are the only company that offers it, hence why we are calling them out by name.
This product is not a dye but uses natural food-grade ingredients to re-pigment your hair to its original color.
Like regular hair color, it requires re-application every 3-6 weeks.
It also won’t work on blonde or red hair, although they claim to be working on a system for those hair colors too.
There are other caveats for certain hair types, so be sure to research them, but they’ve received a lot of good press as an alternative to conventional hair dye.
3. Home Hair Color Remedies
If you have just a few grays, these home remedies for gray hair may be enough to cover your grays while you figure out how to stop them or slow them down.
- For Blonde Hair: Strongly brewed chamomile tea. Or, apply lemon juice to hair, go out in the sun, or apply heat.
- For Brown or Black Hair: Try strongly brewed coffee, black tea, or infusions of Nettles, Rosemary, Black Walnut Hulls, and/or Sage.
- For Red Hair: Hibiscus, Calendula, or Marigold infusions or beet juice.
In sum,
1. Grey at early age is genetic: Hair follicles contain pigment cells that produce melanin, which gives your tresses their color. When your body stops generating melanin, hair presents itself as grey, white, or silver. “If your parents or grandparents grayed at an early age, you probably will too,”
2. A medical Condition: Autoimmune diseases effectually attack cells within the body, and this includes hair follicles, which makes it possible for premature greying to occur.
3. Chronic Stress: Are you going through too much stress? Thinking much? Chronic stress makes one to grow grey hair on time.
4. Vitamin Deficiency: a vitamin B12 deficiency can accelerate the greying of hair.
Home remedies
01/5Miracle drink that turns grey hair into black
Embarrassed by your grey hair and don’t want to colour them yet? Well, this is the most common problem faced by many of us and if you are looking at some home remedy to tackle excessive greying, then you have certainly come to the right place. We did our research and came across a lot of people who tried a homemade miracle drink and got rid of their grey hair. Though results may vary from person to person, this seems to be one of the most tried and tested home remedies to naturally colour grey hair. Here’s the recipe!
02/5Ingredients for the miracle drink
You will be surprised to know that this miracle drink only makes use of four ingredients and all of them are readily available in our kitchens.
1 cup flaxseed oil
5 medium sized lemon
5 garlic cloves (peeled)
1 cup of honey
03/5How to make the drink
Put all the ingredients in the blender and remember you don’t have to peel off the skin of the lemons. Switch on the blender and blend all the ingredients to a thick liquid. Once it’s made, store it in a glass jar.
04/5How to consume the drink
Take one tablespoon of the miracle drink and consume it an hour before each meal. Try consuming the concoction thrice a day, at least. Drink this for three months to get best results.
05/5How this drink works
According to the beauty bloggers who have tried this miracle drink, the mixture not only rejuvenates hair but also brings back the natural colour of the hair. And, that’s not all! It is also said to improve eyesight.
Can You Stop Gray Hair Naturally?
Yes, it is possible to slow down—and sometimes stop, the graying process naturally.
If you’re getting gray hair younger than the average age and suspect a health issue may be the cause, talk to your doctor or healthcare practitioner.
You cannot go wrong by eating a more nutrient-dense diet, reducing stress, and trying out topical hair tonics this article outlines.
Remember, some trial and error and time are typically involved when using a natural approach. So don’t be discouraged if you don’t see a reduction in gray hair overnight.