Going grey is something one is never really prepared for, and when that first grey hair creeps up on you it can cause quite an upheaval. An acceptance of one’s mortality, the passage of time, ceding to age; going grey is more than just about our superficial appearance. More and more women are embracing their greys of late, and a lot more is known today about the harm that colouring one’s hair frequently causes. If you’ve started noticing those first strands of grey and are not quite ready to go grey yet but are equally unsure about colouring your hair, worry not! There are several natural remedies you can use that will help you effectively cover those grey strands.
Take your pick from these effective natural remedies that will help cover grey hair:
1. Black Pepper And Yoghurt Pack
Take half a cup of plain yoghurt (dahi). Add 1 tablespoon of freshly ground black pepper and 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice to the yoghurt and blend well. Gently massage the mixture into your hair and leave it on for an hour. Cover your hair with a shower cap to avoid drips. Repeat this mask 2-3 times per week.
2. Coffee Henna Pack
Brew one cup of black coffee. Add enough henna powder in it to make a paste which is the consistency of yoghurt. Cover and let the paste sit for about six hours. After six hours, add two tablespoons of extra virgin oil and mix well. Massage into your hair and cover with a shower cap. Leave this mask on for 1-3 hours (brew another cuppa for yourself while you wait!) depending on the depth of colour you want. Henna is a natural dye with good antibacterial and antifungal properties, so it’s great for overall scalp health as well. Coffee stains your hair brown and regular use can help effectively mask greys, giving you warm sepia tones that you can flaunt. You can use this mask once a month to get the best results.
3. Coconutty Lemon Mask
This mask is a breeze to whip up and easy enough to apply every other day, or whenever you shampoo your hair during the week. Just leave it on before you wash your hair and you’re set. To make this, take 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and one tablespoon of lemon juice and blend well. Massage it into your scalp and hair. Work it through the length of your hair, all the way down till the tips. Leave it on for a minimum of 30 minutes. Coconut oil and lemon juice work towards delaying greying by preserving the pigment cells in your hair follicles.
4. Curry Leaves And Coconut Oil Mask
Who knew that two of the essential ingredients for a great tasting curry are also good at covering those greys? Take 3 tablespoons of coconut oil, add a handful of curry leaves (kadipatta) and blend well. Heat this blend on medium heat till you start seeing a black residue forming. Strain and cool. Massage this on your scalp and through the lengths of your hair (don’t forget the tips). You can leave this oil on overnight or a couple of hours before you wash it off. Use this 2-3 times per week, or everytime you wash your hair.
5. Ribbed Gourd And Coconut Oil
I’ve never been a big fan of the humble turai (ridged gourd) and as a child it was on my list of unpleasant vegetables that I dreaded seeing at the dining table. However recently I began to see turai in a new light when I learned about its ability to restore the pigment cells in hair follicles. To make this restorative hair oil, take one cup of chopped turai and sun dry it till completely dehydrated. Soak this dehydrated turai in one cup of coconut oil for three days. At the end of the third day, boil this coconut oil with the chopped turai in it for about 5-6 minutes. Cool, strain and store in an airtight jar. Massage your scalp with this oil at least twice a week and leave on for a minimum of one hour before washing it off. You can repeat this treatment twice a week for best results.
6. Black Tea Treatment
This remedy to cover grey hair naturally is one of my favourites because it is as easy as brewing a cup of tea. Literally! All you need to do is take 2 teaspoons of black tea leaves and one cup of water, boil the tea leaves in water and let it brew for a couple of minutes. Let the tea cool down and then apply it to your hair from the roots to the tips. Leave it on for an hour before rinsing it off with plain water. Repeat this treatment once a fortnight. Black tea works as a natural hair dye, because it stains the hair, thereby darkening it in the process. What’s more it is also a great way to add some shine and lustre to limp and lifeless hair. Use this black tea treatment once a fortnight to effectively mask those greys.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
The benefits of apple cider vinegar for hair health are well known, so it will come as no surprise to know that apple cider vinegar is an excellent remedy to cover greys. It preserves the melanin in the hair follicles, thereby slowing down the process of greying naturally. It’s also great for overall scalp and hair health so give this one a try. All you need to do is take 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and mix it with 2 cups of water. Rinse your hair thoroughly with this mix. Leave it on for a minimum of 20 minutes before washing it off with a mild paraben and sulphate free shampoo. For best results repeat this treatment once a week.
8. Fenugreek Seeds And Coconut Oil
Fenugreek or methi seeds are rich in amino acids, potassium and lecithin which nourish the hair follicles and help slow down the process of greying. To make this oil, take half a cup of coconut oil and bring it to a boil on medium heat, stirring occasionally. To this, add one fourth cup of methi seeds and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat, cool and strain. Keep the oil in an airtight jar in a cool and dry place. Massage your scalp with this 2-3 times a week and leave the oil on for a minimum of one hour before washing it off.
These natural remedies to cover grey hair are not just great for covering greys, but help boost overall scalp and hair health as well. When you try some of these remedies, do a patch test first on a small section of your scalp to ensure you don’t have any allergic reaction to any of the ingredients.
In addition to these natural remedies, some basic healthy hair habits will go a long way in maintaining the health of your hair. These include protecting your hair from the sun, avoiding an over use of heat while styling your hair, minimizing the use of bleach, using mild shampoos and avoiding over-washing your hair. And of course, don’t forget to get a nutritious diet, adequate sleep and plenty of water.
Are there any other natural remedies for covering grey hair that have worked for you? Do share with us in the comments below or let us know on our Instagram handle!