Have you started seeing the first strands of grey in your hair? Here’s what you can do to prevent further greying. What can I eat to prevent premature greying? Eating seafood is possibly one of the best things you can eat to promote all-over hair health. It is rich in zinc, iodine and protein, which are excellent for the hair. So if you enjoy seafood, make it a point to have fish several times a week. Remember that eating canned fish will not give you the same benefits as eating freshly cooked fish. If you don’t eat fish, consider fish-oil supplements. Iron is good for hair and is found in dark green vegetables, meat and some pulses. If you are unsure about whether you are getting enough iron, include an iron supplement every once in a while in your diet. Remember that too many iron supplements can be bad for you. Women lose iron while menstruating, so perhaps during or after your cycle you can have iron-fortified supplements for a few days. Eating foods rich in Vitamins B and C will ensure that your hair stays strong, does not break easily, and does not grey early. Pork, vegetables, whole grains, wheat germ, soymilk are all rich sources of Vitamin B, while citrus fruits are excellent sources of Vitamin C. Eating adequate Vitamin C helps increase absorption of iron. Try and have a glass of orange juice daily. Your hair will never be healthy if you do not drink enough water. Drink at least eight to ten glasses a day. What oil can I apply to my hair? Rosemary oil is believed to gradually darken grey hair over a period of time. Soak rosemary leaves along with a few basil (tulsi) leaves, in jojoba oil, for a period of four weeks. Massage your scalp and hair with this oil (after warming it up). Most oils are not easily absorbed by the hair, which is why you need to leave oil on for at least forty-five minutes. It helps greatly if you steam your hair after applying oil. Boil dried amla pieces in coconut oil until the pieces turn black and the oil darkens. Apply this oil to the hair. It strengthens hair and prevents greying. Boil tealeaves in water and rinse your hair with this liquid 20-30 times. Then, leave on for 15-20 minutes before the final rinse. What else can I do to promote hair health and delay greying? Washing your hair with very hot water or using hair-dryers excessively weaken roots, and may lead to premature greying. When using a hair-dryer, take care not to point it to your scalp. Similarly, try and wash your hair with cool or lukewarm water. Will Yoga help? Inverted yoga poses bring a rush of blood to the scalp. This stimulates circulation and enhances hair health. Do the following poses regularly: Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog) Sarvangasana Chakrasana Other easy ways to stimulate circulation are: When you wash your hair, keep switching from hot water to cold water. Comb your hair regularly. A hundred strokes every night should do the trick. If your hair is curly, use a wide toothed comb.