Ayurved & you
To dye or not to dye
By Dr R. Vatsyayan The Tribune Wednesday, June 2, 2004
Graying of hair is no longer a problem of the 40-plus
generation only. People much younger in age, including school-
going children, complain to have grey hair. A large number
of them use hair dyes much before they reach
30. Once used , these dyes fast turn the remaining
black hair into grey ones, and the person is left
with no other choice than to use them for the rest
of one’s life.
Though greying of hair is generally considered a sign of old
age, its early onset never makes a person to qualify for it.
Modern medicine believes that hair turning grey is just one
of those mysteries that we have yet to solve. Ancient
ayurvedic texts, while calling it "palitya", mention a
number of conditions which prompt its early onset. Apart
from the heredity factor, adoption of a diet which is
excessively salty, sour and pungent in taste leading to the
vitiation of "pitta" and "vata", psychological upheavals and
mental stress associated with a wrong working schedule and
certain chronic ailments like sinusitis have been given as
the reasons for the early onset of greying.
The lure of looking young by changing the hair colour is as
old as the problem of greying of hair is. In the present era
when more and more dyes are in vogue, the decision of
changing the hair colour has become more complicated because
some studies have linked colouring with an increased risk of
contacting certain cancers. To make matters more confusing,
other studies do not support those findings. Consumers are
often on their own consequently, when deciding whether hair
dyes are safe or not.
Several studies have broadly tried to pinpoint the risks of
various health problems among the users of chemical hair
dyes. These include short-term side-effects like allergic
reactions, dermatitis, eczema, and small episodes of visual
disturbances and headache associated with nausea and
vomiting. Researchers are busy finding the long-term effects
of hair dyes. The failure in reaching any conclusion only
supports the doubt that many of these dyes are not only
carcinogenic but can also start degenerative diseases like
cataract quite early.
Most of the hair dyes sold in the market carry a brochure
indicating certain precautions. Whereas old dye users are
advised to adopt moderation, new recruits should use good
judgment to delay to opt for it. One should never dye the
eyebrows and eyelashes as an allergic reaction to dye can
result in serious damage to the eyes. The less hair dye used
over a lifetime, the less likely it is for a person getting
exposed to its side-effects. Persons looking for a herbal
hair dye should be aware of fact that pure henna is green in
colour and the various preparations sold as "kali mehandi"
are nothing but chemical dyes.
Ayurved views that in the case of untimely greying of hair,
it is best to opt for an early treatment. Of many medicines
prescribed in ancient texts to arrest greying, amla and
bhringraj are considered the best. Ayurvedic physicians put
a lot of trust on "amlaki rasayan", a fortified form of amla
made by stirring its dried powder in its fresh juice.
Similarly, various oils prepared by boiling other herbs,
including these two, in sesame oil are given to massage the
scalp. "Saptamrit lauha" is another classic medicine which
shows good results in younger patients complaining of
greying of hair.
The treatment of grey hair is successful only if the patient
gives due attention to his diet and daily schedule and
avoids mental stress. If he is suffering from chronic and
recurrent cold and sinusitis, adequate treatment should be
given to cure it.
- The writer is a Ludhiana-based ayurvedic consultant
More at: tribuneindia.comtribuneindia.comOpen ↗
Jai Maharaj mantra.comjaiOpen ↗ Om Shanti