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A Top Colorist's Favorite Herbs To Balance Stress & Delay Premature Graying
Gray hair is inevitable at some point. And no matter where you are on your journey to platinum, a collection of tips can help you along the way—from how to care for your new silver texture to how to transition to a gorgeous gray.
If you've found yourself here, chances are you're curious about premature graying, or gray hair before the age of 30: As influential hairstylist Christin Brown, a curl and silvering expert, tells us on an episode of Clean Beauty School, it is possible to prevent an early onset with a few lifestyle interventions. For example, she recommends "using things that can really be beneficial toward helping your body adapt, especially when it comes to stress." Like, well, adaptogenic herbs.
A colorist's favorite adaptogenic herbs for hair care.
First, let's discuss the role of stress in graying hair: Oxidative stress does a number on the body in terms of accelerating aging—and for hair, that often means loss of color and/or strands1. We repeat: Hair graying is a natural part of aging, but research has shown that the amount of free radical damage and oxidative stress on the follicle can speed up the process.
When it comes to mental stress, the theory is that long-term psychological stress can increase levels of oxidative stress2, which can then contribute to grays. Other research on mice has found that stress starts a chemical process that depletes the stores of pigment-producing cells. Translation? Loads of stress over time can result in a faded hue. "When stress is higher in our lives, that is when we start to see those hormonal shifts taking place inside of the body," adds Brown. And because hair is sensitive to any kind of imbalance, you may start to see silver strands taking up permanent residence.
That's why Brown touts adaptogenic herbs—these are botanicals that stabilize physiological processes in the body and promote a sense of homeostasis. Essentially, they "adapt" to what your body needs in order to manage stress. In fact, functional medicine doctor Frank Lipman, M.D., says they work a bit like a natural thermostat: "When the thermostat senses that the room temperature is too high, it brings it down, and when the temperature is too low, it brings it up. Adaptogens can calm you down and enhance your energy at the same time without overstimulating."
And for hair care, Brown sings the praises of ashwagandha and shatavari:
- Ashwagandha: A popular adaptogen for alleviating stress, ashwagandha helps regulate various brain pathways to decrease cortisol levels3 (aka, the famous stress hormone). It also contains compounds that help activate GABA receptors4 in the brain, which help decrease activation of our nervous system and stress response. You can find it in a variety of forms, from capsules to tinctures and powders, but sourcing matters. Here's what to look for to make sure your powder or capsule is the highest-quality, lowest-impact product possible.
- Shatavari: Shatavari (also known as Asparagus racemosus) is commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine to support women's reproductive function, as it has a hormone-balancing effect on the body5. The herb has also been shown to minimize free radical damage in the skin and help protect your natural collagen levels, thanks to its powerful antioxidant activity. Like ashwagandha, you can find it in capsule, powder, or tincture form—try this editor's hormone-balancing tea blend, or find our full list of supplements for stress here.
The takeaway.
Gray hair happens to us all down the line, but managing stress is a helpful way to prevent an early onset. Of course, stress management is much easier said than done, but adaptogenic herbs have been used for thousands of years to promote full-body balance—and according to Brown, they're a worthy addition to your hair care routine.
