Graying hair is a common sign of aging. However, that phenomenon is occurring earlier due to environmental factors and the harsh chemicals our bodies are frequently exposed to. Research indicates that 51.1% of people in their thirties and 81.1% aged forty and above experience graying hair. Further, covering up the grayness usually means applying chemical dyes that damage hair even more.
Many people are not aware of the natural ingredients that can help darken hair. These ingredients do not compromise the integrity of the hair. Instead, they make hair healthy. And the best part is that many of these items are already in your home. Here are some of these natural ingredients that can darken hair.
Coffee
Coffee is the favored drink of many people worldwide. In the US alone, 154 million adults, making up around 75% of the adult population, drink coffee daily. Thus, it is very likely that you already have it in your kitchen cabinet. Aside from its aromatic taste and the ability to rejuvenate you, it can be used to darken hair.
How to Use It
Prepare a strong brew of coffee. You can use coffee beans or instant coffee, whatever is most convenient for you. Once the coffee rinse is ready, wait for it to completely cool down. Then apply it liberally throughout your hair. Leave it in your hair for 20 to 30 minutes before washing your hair as you normally do. The rich brown color of the coffee brew is perfect for staining your hair a deeper color.
Additional Benefits
A coffee rinse has many other benefits to offer. Coffee improves hair texture. It makes the hair shinier and softer. It also encourages hair growth.
Tea
Tea is another popular beverage. An estimated 6.7 billion kilograms of tea was consumed globally in 2022. And chances are you might be one of these consumers of tea.
Note that you cannot use just any tea; you need black tea. Similar to coffee, black tea works like a dye through staining.
How to Use It
Drop a tea bag or two in one cup of boiling water. The tea infusion will turn a dark brown, almost black color. Use this to rinse your hair when it has cooled down. Wash your hair after 20 to 30 minutes. You will be able to see a significant difference, especially if you have light hair and apply the tea rinse regularly.
Additional Benefits
Aside from staining the hair, the tea rinse improves the overall health of the scalp and hair.
Curry Leaves
Curry leaves are packed with nutrients. From protein to antioxidants, they have it all. Instead of working as a stain, curry leaves darken hair by restoring it to its original color. The nutrients in the curry leaves help reverse the damage caused by harsh chemicals and prevent the premature graying of hair.
How to Use It
You can use curry leaves in a variety of ways. You can boil curry leaves in water to create a rinse. Let it sit in your hair for an hour and proceed to wash.
You can also add the leaves to any carrier oil. Heat the oil in a pan and add the curry leaves – a handful is sufficient for a cup of carrier oil. Apply the oil from the root to the tips of your hair. Gently massage it into the scalp. Leave it in for half an hour to an hour and wash the hair thoroughly.
Additional Benefits
The high nutrient content of curry leaves makes them an excellent ingredient for restoring overall hair health. Regular use will also make your hair more shiny, lush, and manageable.
Indigo Dye
Indigo is a well-known dye that you can buy easily. Indigo dye is extracted from indigo plants. It is a vibrant blue color; thus, frequently combined with henna to achieve a more natural brown color.
How to Use It
It is best to get indigo powder. Indigo powder is made by crushing the fermented leaves of the indigo plant. The powder looks deceptively similar in color to henna powder, or a tad bit darker than henna. But do not think you will get green hair; it will give bluish-black results.
You can mix the powder with water but using any carrier oil is recommended because it makes the application easier and you get the benefits of the carrier oil as well. An even better idea is to add equal parts henna and indigo powder to the oil. The quantity of the oil will be determined by your desired consistency. You can also adjust the ratios of the two dyes to make your custom color.
Apply the indigo powder mixture for at least an hour and wash it off thoroughly. The washing can be messy but ultimately worth the results.
Additional Benefits
Indigo also conditions the hair and makes your hair appear healthier. Due to its moisturizing ability, massaging the indigo and oil combo on the scalp can also help to control dandruff.
Henna
Henna is another semi-permanent, natural hair dye extracted from the leaves of the henna tree. Henna has a signature red tint.
How to Use It
Mix the henna powder with lukewarm water and let it rest overnight. Try to get a thick consistency that is easy to apply. Cover the hair where you want the dye to take color with the henna paste. Let it dry and then wash your hair thoroughly just as normal.
Additional Benefits
Henna is rich in Vitamin E which is great for hair, nails, and skin. It helps to soften hair and make it appear healthier.
Indian Gooseberry
Indian Gooseberry is also commonly known as Amla. It contains high amounts of Vitamin C and Vitamin B1 and B2. These nutrients nourish and strengthen the hair follicles, reversing hair damage and revitalizing the original color of the hair.
How to Use It
You can get Amla oil to apply to your hair directly. Alternatively, you can mix Amla powder with any carrier oil of your choice. You can also easily purchase whole Amla to make a hair rinse by boiling the berries in water to wash your hair with it.
Additional Benefits
Indian Gooseberry is a superfood for the hair. It makes healthy hair overall by improving the texture and color of the hair. It is especially useful in preventing hair loss since it strengthens the follicles.
Soap Pod Wattle
Do not let the name fool you! Soap pod wattle is a 100% natural ingredient. These are pods of the Acacia Concinna shrub. The pods are rich in antioxidants. They also hold antifungal and antibacterial properties. Using soap pods prevents hair from graying.
How to Use It
It is best to get soap pod powder instead of whole pods. Prepare a hair mask in water to apply to your hair and then simply wash it off.
Additional Benefits
Soap pods help prevent dandruff. It also helps the scalp if it has any old wounds or scabies. Soap pods have anti-lice properties that keep the hair and scalp clean and healthy.
Sage
Sage is easily available and can help darken hair by covering up grays. Sage has calcium, Vitamin A, and many other nutrients that you need for healthy hair. It is a natural dye and can help darken hair when used regularly.
How to Use It
Combine sage with boiling water. For an extra punch of color, add black tea as well to the boiling water. The rinse should be used daily to wash the hair for the best outcome.
Additional Benefits
Sage drastically improves blood circulation of the scalp. This leads to healthy follicles, which, in turn, promotes hair growth. Further, the anti-inflammatory properties support and maintain the overall health of the scalp.
Also Read: 12 Surprisingly Sugary Foods and Drinks
Nettle
Stinging nettle has Vitamin A, C, and K. It also has plenty of minerals including iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Fresh nettle leaves act as a natural dye by nourishing the hair and enhancing the original color.
How to Use It
Remember to use the fresh nettle leaves cautiously. They are covered with tiny hairs that sting and can trigger an allergic reaction.
Adding fresh nettle leaves and black tea in boiling water. Then let it cool down before rinsing your hair with it. Regular use can yield amazing results.
Additional Benefits
It is a centuries-old remedy to reverse hair loss. Being rich in nutrients also makes it great for improving hair health.
False Daisy
False Daisy is another herb that can prevent premature graying of hair. It is rich in essential vitamins and minerals that are necessary for healthy hair.
How to Use It
It is easy to get oils containing false daisy, which you can apply to hair directly. False daisy powder is also available and can be used to make hair masks by combining it with other ingredients like Indian Gooseberry.
Additional Benefits
False daisy holds strong anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial qualities. It keeps the scalp healthy and strengthens the follicles.