When you hair turns gray from stress, your first step is to reduce the stress. After that, coloring your gray hair naturally may be your next solution.
Stress-Related Gray Hair Solutions
Stress contributes to gray hair by causing the pigment cells in your scalp to wear out more quickly than normal. You may notice that you have grayed quickly during a stressful year.
There is no perfect solution to prevent stress-related gray hair, but of course, general stress reduction can help. If you smoke, try to quit or at least cut back. Get plenty of exercise and eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of anti-oxidant loaded vegetables and fruits. Anti-oxidants are nutrients which fight damage to our cells by chemicals known as free radicals; several studies indicate they may prevent cancer and they may also help prevent premature aging.
Along with exercise and diet, be sure to get adequate sleep. Take time during the day to simply unwind and get your mind off your problems. Make time for activities you enjoy. Above all cultivate a youthful, positive attitude. A positive attitude is a great buffer against life’s stresses, including stress-related gray hair.
Covering Gray Hair: Natural Methods to Cover the Gray
Aromatherapy
The simplest method for coloring your gray hair is to massage essential oils into your scalp every night. For dark hair, try rosemary, thyme or sage. For lighter hair, try german chamomile or lavender. Put 2-3 drops of the oil on your palms and rub into your scalp every night. This will help condition the skin of the scalp.
Herbal Rinse
Herbal rinses are another way to reverse gray hair.
For dark hair, choose one or more:
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Raspberry leaves
- Parsley
- Ivy Berries
- Catnip
- Black Tea
- Black coffee (just make strong black coffee and use this as a rinse)
For blond or light hair:
- rosehips
- red hibiscus
- calendula
- saffron
- marigold
- tumeric
- mullein
- privet
- yellow broom
Choose some herbs from the lists above and put about 1/2 cup of dried herbs/flower/berries in 2 cups of water. Simmer for 30 minutes and then let it sit for another 2-3 hours. You will have a very strong “tea” for your hair. Strain out the vegetable matter and pour it on your hair after shampooing. Let it sit for several minutes and rinse out. Gradually you will notice your hair color changing.
Gray Hair Treatment: Potato
For dark hair, boil 1 unpeeled potato. Cool the water and massage the potato-water onto your scalp and into your hair with a cotton ball. Leave it for 20 minutes and then rinse out.
Gray Hair Treatment: Rum
Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons of dried sage
- 1 water
- 4 teaspoons of rum
- 1 ounce glycerin
- A few drops of vitamin E
Boil the sage in the water and let it sit for 2 hours. Strain it and add the rest of the ingredients. Use some cotton and rub this darkening concoction on your scalp everyday. Gradually your hair will get darker.
Henna
If your gray hair is really bothering you, choose a henna instead of chemical dyes for covering your gray hair. There is some inconclusive evidence that hair dyes can cause cancer, but why take a chance? When you are under stress, your body is especially susceptible to toxins. Henna is a great alternative.
Henna is a plant which is used for natural red/brown dyes. It will not dye your hair completely, but it changes the gray to colors which blend in with your natural hair color. It will also condition your hair.
HennaForHair is an interesting site which explains exactly how henna works to cover your gray. Catherine Cartwright-Jones, the site owner, loves henna in a big way and has great information including an incredible e-book called “How to Henna Hair”. Everything you have ever wanted to know about henna is in this book, including many pictures of henna-ed hair so you can picture exactly how it will turn out.
If you want to go to a real bricks and mortar store, visit you natural food store and look for Light Mountain Natural Hair Color (affiliate link). They have a line of pre-mixed hennas for every hair color, designed specifically to cover gray hair.
When stress causes your hair to turn gray, you first concern should be to reduce your stress. After that, coloring your gray hair may be a nice solution to feel more like yourself again.
