Premature greying of hair has become increasingly common — affecting teenagers, young adults, and even children. Many people are surprised to see white or grey hair in their 20s or early 30s and often ask: “Why is my hair greying so early?”
Ayurveda explains that premature greying (Akala Palitya) is not merely a cosmetic issue, but a sign of internal imbalance, especially related to Pitta Dosha, digestion, stress, and tissue nourishment. This blog explains the Ayurvedic root causes of premature greying and how it can be prevented and managed naturally.
How Ayurveda Understands Hair Colour
According to Ayurveda, hair colour depends on:
- Balanced Pitta Dosha
- Proper nourishment of Asthi Dhatu (bone tissue)
- Strong Ras Dhatu (nutritional tissue)
- Healthy blood quality
- Calm mental state
When internal heat increases or nourishment weakens, the pigment-forming mechanism gets disturbed, leading to early greying.
What Is Premature Greying (Akala Palitya)?
Premature greying refers to:
- Appearance of grey or white hair before the age of 30
- Greying that progresses rapidly
- Greying associated with hair thinning or dryness
Ayurveda classifies it mainly as a Pitta-dominant disorder, with involvement of Vata and lifestyle factors.
Main Ayurvedic Causes of Premature Greying
1. Pitta Dosha Aggravation (Primary Cause)
Pitta governs heat, metabolism, and pigmentation.
Excess Pitta leads to:
- Loss of natural hair pigment
- Early greying
- Scalp sensitivity or burning
- Hair thinning
Common Pitta-aggravating factors:
- Excess spicy, sour, or fried food
- Excess heat exposure
- Anger, irritability
- Excess alcohol
- Late nights
2. Weak Digestion (Agni)
When digestion is weak:
- Nutrients are not absorbed properly
- Ras Dhatu becomes deficient
- Hair roots lack nourishment
Even a good diet fails to nourish hair if Agni is disturbed.
3. Chronic Stress & Overthinking
Mental stress directly increases Vata and Pitta, disturbing:
- Hormonal balance
- Blood circulation
- Hair root nourishment
Ayurveda clearly states that mental imbalance accelerates ageing, including hair greying.
4. Nutritional Deficiency at Tissue Level
Ayurveda focuses on tissue-level nutrition, not just lab values.
Poor nourishment of:
- Ras Dhatu
- Asthi Dhatu
can result in premature greying even when blood reports appear normal.
5. Genetic Tendency (Beeja Bhava)
Ayurveda acknowledges hereditary influence, but states that:
- Genetic tendency expresses strongly only when Doshas are disturbed.
- Lifestyle and digestion determine whether genes express early or late.
Why Chemical Hair Dyes Worsen the Problem
Frequent chemical colouring:
- Increases scalp heat
- Damages hair follicles
- Accelerates greying
- Weakens hair roots
Ayurveda discourages repeated chemical exposure, especially in young individuals.
Ayurvedic Approach to Prevent Premature Greying
1. Balancing Pitta Dosha
Pitta management is the cornerstone of prevention.
General principles:
- Cooling, nourishing diet
- Avoid excessive heat & stress
- Maintain emotional calmness
2. Strengthening Digestion (Agni)
A stable digestive fire ensures proper nourishment.
Key principles:
- Regular meal timings
- Warm, freshly cooked food
- Avoid skipping meals
- Avoid excessive junk food
3. Scalp & Hair Nourishment
Regular oil massage helps:
- Reduce scalp heat
- Improve blood circulation
- Nourish hair roots
- Calm the nervous system
Oil selection should be Dosha-specific, not random.
4. Stress Management
Premature greying often slows down when stress is managed.
Ayurvedic recommendations include:
- Early sleep (before 10 PM)
- Meditation
- Pranayama
- Gentle yoga
- Reducing screen exposure at night
5. Panchakarma (When Required)
In progressive or severe cases, internal detoxification is beneficial.
Useful therapies include:
- Virechan – for excess Pitta
- Nasya – for scalp and sense organ nourishment
- Shirodhara – for stress-related greying
These therapies work at a systemic level, not just on hair.
Common Myths About Premature Greying
- Plucking one grey hair causes many more
- Only genetics are responsible
- Hair dyes solve the root problem
- Greying cannot be slowed
Ayurveda clarifies that root-cause correction can slow or stabilize greying. Premature greying of hair is not inevitable. It is a warning sign of internal imbalance, especially excess Pitta, weak digestion, stress, and poor tissue nourishment.
Ayurveda offers a safe, holistic approach by correcting digestion, calming the mind, balancing Doshas, and nourishing hair from within. Early attention can slow greying, improve hair strength, and restore scalp health naturally.
For personalized Ayurvedic hair analysis and treatment in Pune, contact Aatreya Ayurved Clinic at 9860007992.
FAQs on Premature Greying
Q1. Can premature greying be reversed?
Ayurveda focuses on slowing progression and improving hair quality. Early intervention gives better results.
Q2. Is premature greying linked to hormones?
Yes. Hormonal imbalance often aggravates Pitta.
Q3. Does stress really cause early greying?
Yes. Stress accelerates tissue ageing and pigment loss.
Q4. Is premature greying common today?
Yes, due to lifestyle, stress, diet, and sleep disturbance.
Q5. Can children have premature greying?
Yes, especially with genetic tendency and digestive imbalance.
