How to prevent premature greying of hair, the Ayurveda way

Premature greying of hair , known in Ayurveda as Palitya, is considered a condition arising from imbalances in the Pitta dosha . Unlike conventional treatments that often mask the greying with chemical dyes and colour, Ayurveda targets the root and the root causes of premature greying, and this is done by balancing the doshas and certain herbal remedies.

The cause of premature greying

According to Ayurveda, the primary reason behind premature greying of hair is the aggravation of the Pitta dosha. Factors like excessive anger, stress, anxiety, overthinking, and physical exertion heat up the body internally, and this heat, when it rises to the scalp, weakens the hair roots and leads to early loss of pigmentation.

The Ayurvedic treatments

There are ‘n’ number of treatments available for blackening and dyeing the hair, which helps make them look black and shiny again. But there are no major treatments that will help turn the hair black from root again.
And this is where Ayurveda steps in.

In the book ‘Holistic Health: Law and Facts’ by Swami Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, the duo mention natural ways to prevent premature greying as mentioned in ancient texts like ‘Charak Chikitsa’ and ‘Bhavprakash Chikitsa’.

Some of those treatments are -

Nasya therapy
In this, it is recommended to regularly administer nasal drops using Anu Taila (a medicated oil) which helps nourish the brain and strengthen the nervous system, which in turn prevents hair from losing its pigment early.
The book also mentions preparing a Sahacaradi oil, which is made by boiling cow’s milk, Sahacara juice, Bhringraj juice, Tulsi juice, Sesame oil, and Licorice paste.
The ingredients are cooked thoroughly, strained, and stored in a stone vessel. This oil, when used for regular nasal and head massages, helps reduce premature greying.

Another treatment mentioned in the book is a herbal decoction made with Triphala and Bhasma. The book mentions that the paste is made using Lauha Bhasma, mango seed kernel, Amla, Haritaki, Vibhitaki, and then this should be cooked in sesame oil.
When applied to the scalp, this is believed to help in restoring black hair.

Another easy treatment for reversing grey hair is to prepare a mixture of Triphala powder, Lauha Bhasma, and Bhringraj juice.
According to the text, when this mixture is poured into a hole in a coconut, sealed, and then let sit for a month, it converts into a paste.
The paste is then applied to the scalp, and banana leaves are wrapped over it. This process nourishes the roots and can significantly darken greying strands.

The patience you need

While Ayurveda has tons of ways and remedies through which people can benefit and get rid of ailments, one needs to have patience when healing the natural way. These treatments not only address the external symptoms but also purify and balance internal systems, which although takes time but also gives the best results.
And make sure to pair these treatments with lifestyle changes such as reducing stress, eating a Pitta-pacifying diet, and maintaining a regular routine to get long-term benefits.