How to handle premature graying

In today’s competitive world of erratic work schedules and unhealthy lifestyles, it has become very easy for individuals to succumb to the innumerable stresses they face in their professional and personal lives.

And one of the most visible signs of these stresses is premature graying which sadly to say starts occurring in individuals as young as 25 years these days. And even though graying can be thought of as a natural process, the fact that it occurs much earlier than the border line of 40 years is a cause for concern.

So why does hair turn gray in the first place? The roots of the hair follicles produce a substance called melanin which is responsible for the natural hair color that you sport. With time, age and of course plenty of stress, the roots either produce less melanin or stop producing them altogether. The effect of this would be gray, white or silver hairs which would start losing their color from the roots to the shafts.

So what can you do then to handle these white hairs that seem to suddenly sprout all over your scalp? You color them of course. Beats snipping all of them off and ending up with uneven hair all over your head.

Rather than opting for chemical dyes which usually contain ammonia which can damage your hair and scalp, it is best considered to opt for natural dyes that can both give rich color and keep your hair healthy in the process. Here are some of the best natural dyes you can opt for when it comes to handling premature graying.

Henna Leaves:

The give the best natural color possible when ground into a paste. Grind some henna leaves nicely to form a paste. If needed, add some drops of cucumber juice (helps the hair absorb the mixture well) to the same. Apply the mixture to your hair and scalp and leave it on for about 1 hour. Wash it off afterwards with lukewarm water.

Eclipta Alba:

One of the best known natural remedies for gray hair, Eclipta Alba (also called as Bhringraj) is  natural herb which when ground to a paste and applied on the hair, can enrich the roots and give rich black color to the same.

It also pays to add some coconut oil or any other essential oil to the mixture (for extra conditioning) before applying the same to the hair. Wash it off after an hour or so and be amazed at how black and good your hair looks afterwards.

Tea Leaves:

Try adding some leftover tea leaves to henna leaves when you make a paste of the same. Tea leaves contain conditioning properties that helps bring back the shine and luster of dull hair. You can also opt for the fresh residue obtained after making tea for the same purpose.

Hibiscus:

Again another natural remedy for premature graying that not only gives color back to the hair but also enriches it with all the essential nutrients needed for healthy hair growth. All you need to do is make a paste containing freshly ground hibiscus flowers, honegone greens, gooseberries, eclipta alba and henna. Apply the paste to your hair and scalp and wait for about 1 hour before washing it off.  This natural treatment would make your hair look shinier and youthful for longer periods.

Bitter Gourd:

No you don’t need to apply bitter gourd to your hair. Rather you need to include more bitter gourd, beetroot and other fiber rich foods in your diet. This would make sure that your is taken care of from inside as well as outside the body.