Easy Gray Hair Dye Recipe
Gray hair is not actually white or grey but is due to a lack of pigmentation and melanin. Cells that are located in the base of the hair’s follicles slow, and eventually stop producing pigment. This causes the hair to lose color and appear gray or white because of the way light is reflected. To color your hair you don’t always need to use harsh chemicals. Below are some of the tried and true natural ways to color your hair.
I make a strong ‘tea’ of Sage and a bit of Rosemary, strain it and refrigerate it, and before I wash my hair, I spray it on the base of the grey patches of hair, even have massaged it in. leave it for 5 – ten minutes and then wash as usual, and care for my hair as I normally do.
After a few weeks of this (I do this almost daily), the grey is disappearing.
After using the sage the normal coloring returns to the hair. It is not a ‘color-change’ shocker, and it softens and allows me to control the curls, and the amount of grey. I have used this through the years and it has never damaged my hair. I stop using it and the grey gradually returns and it is even prettier than the time before.
My sister was totally grey headed and after a month of daily using this solution, she had her normal light brown hair. which she had not seen for over ten years, and she dabs it on once or twice a week now to keep her normal color, and she is 40. I am 48 and do not want to be grey just yet.
Rosemary & Sage Tea Colorant
To make a strong rosemary & sage tea use equal amounts of rosemary & sage to 1 cup of water, combine ingredients and steep for 10 minutes, strain and use liquid for the colorant.
NOTE: These processes must be repeated daily for a few weeks before you notice any changes.
The Author:
Purdue University
Editor’s Note:
Use 1 tablespoons of dried rosemary with 1 tablespoons of dried sage to 1 cup (8ounces) water.
You can use fresh herbs can be used instead of dried herbs for making natural hair dye. Generally, you will need to use a larger quantity of fresh herbs compared to dried herbs as the water content in fresh herbs dilutes the concentration.
To replace 1 tablespoon of dried herbs, you typically need 2-3 tablespoons of fresh herbs. Therefore, for this recipe, you would need approximately 2-3 tablespoons of fresh sage and 2-3 tablespoons of fresh rosemary. Adjust the quantities based on your preference and the intensity of color you desire. Remember, experimentation may be necessary to achieve the desired shade.
Note: Natural hair dyes may not provide the same level of coverage or intensity as chemical dyes. Results may vary depending on your hair type and current hair color.
I intend to use this hair dye recipe.
I love the idea of this recipe and I am going to try it out the only problem is in your recipe to do not state the amount of sage and rosemary. I see the part about 1 cups of water and equal parts sage and rosemary but how many tablespoons or what of the sage and rosemary. thanks so much 🙂
Hi Lauren, Thank you for pointing that out! It seems like the recipe could use some clarification on the amount of sage and rosemary. Perhaps you could experiment with a tablespoon of each and adjust to your preference. Let us know how it turns out!
Hi Ethlyn, That’s great! I hope the recipe works well for you. Good luck!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about grey hair. Regards
You’re welcome! I’m glad you found the article helpful. If you have any specific questions or concerns about gray hair, feel free to ask.
I have been using this method, for several years, to cover an almost full head of grey hair. My childhood hair color was very blonde and now I am a champagne blonde. My hairdresser loves the color and I get tons of comments on how nice the color is. Am now age 68.
I used it daily for 30 days and now once a month–works great, try it.
Hi do you rinse it out after you apply it? How long do you leave it on for? Thanks
You leave it in for 5-10 minutes then wash your hair as usual. You have to use it daily for a few weeks before you will see results.
Janet i see in your commemt you tried the sage and rosemary hair colour. Can you please let me know if you use dried or fresh herbs and how much of each. Hope you can answer. Thank you
The article doesn’t specify whether to use fresh or dried herbs, but it might be best to experiment with both and see which one gives better results for you. As for the amount, you could start with equal parts of sage and rosemary, and adjust according to your preference. Good luck with your gray hair dyeing journey!
Janet which
do you use fresh herbs or dried and what ratio do you use?
The article doesn’t specify whether to use fresh or dried herbs and the ratio of sage and rosemary. It might be worth trying both variations to see which one works best for you. You could start with equal parts of sage and rosemary and adjust according to your preference. Let us know how it goes!
Hi Janet, Wow, it’s fantastic to hear that this method has been working well for you for several years! Your hairdresser and the comments must be a testament to its effectiveness. Thank you for sharing your experience and encouraging others to try it out.
Can a big batch be made and stored for daily use before showering?
Better to make in small batches. Since it has no preservatives it can go bad after awhile.
I don’t like all the work so I made a huge batch of it and froze it in my muffin tins. Then I stored the muffin shaped tea cubs in a gallon bag in the freezer. So then I thaw out one each week to use.
What a wonderful idea! 🙂
How much sage and rosemary do you use (example 3 tablespoons of each or what to 1 cup of water, also is that 8 ounces of water ). Please tell me the exact amounts.
Hi try 1 tablespoons of dried rosemary with 1 tablespoons of dried sage to 8 ounces of water.
Yes, a big batch of this rosemary and sage tea colorant recipe can be made and stored for daily use before showering. Simply store the unused portion in an airtight container in the refrigerator and warm it up to room temperature before use. It should last for up to a week when stored properly.
What is sage and rosemarry where I get al dis. .
They are herbs and can be found in most markets.
Sage and rosemary are both herbs commonly used in cooking and for medicinal purposes. You can typically find these herbs at any grocery store or supermarket in the fresh produce section. Alternatively, you can also find them in dried form in the spice aisle. Additionally, you can grow sage and rosemary in your own garden if you have space and the inclination to do so.
Will dried herbs work, or do they need to be fresh. I am eager to use this recipe on my hair! Thanks!
The recipe suggests using fresh herbs. However, dried herbs may also work as long as they are finely ground and can release their pigments easily. Keep in mind that the color result may vary depending on the quality and freshness of the herbs used.
hELLO! I’M TRYNG THIS TOO AND I CAN SEE SOME RESULTS! CAN YOU POST SOME PICTURES OF YOUR SISTER HAIR SO I CAN BE MORE HELPES TO GO ON WHIT THIS METHOD? THANK YOU!!
Not sure if you’re still monitoring this post. When you say you use sage and rosemary, are they fresh or dried? How much of each per cup of water?
Thank you
I am living in Riyadh KSA. I reach your post and read it all. I like the people comments and found myself near to the solution for reversing grey hair. My top of the head is completely white and it is increasing in every part of my head except backside. I am male and 32 right know and working as marketeer. I have no idea how to take it from the local market. Please suggest me how much i should use to get the quick results. If you have any remedy for curing my hair permanently naturally from Grey hair to black please step forward and help me. I be waiting for your quick & positive reply
Hi!
Thank you for the information. I have seen many other recipes for the sage/rosemary rinse on the internet but the other sites recommend pouring the rinse over the hair after washing the hair. You put the herbal solution on BEFORE washing your hair. What makes the difference for you to put it on before the wash?
If my hair has got colour in it will this treatment affect the colour? Will it make it go a funny colour?
I dont know how long it Take , im doing it for three and i dont see any change on my grey hair maybe i need moré time?
For three weeks every day
hi,
in what ratio should the sage tea,rosemary tea be added to water for boiling?say for example to one cup of water how many tablespoons of sage and rosemary has to be added?????Plz advise.
thanks,
Mamoni,
India
Hello,
Did you ever get a response to your question of how much to use of each? I’m doing this today or tomorrow and I want to know.
thanks,
Mary
My husband got hair gray below 30 years. He used to color like 15 years. He lost lot of hail on front and top. So if he use sage and rose ever he will hair back and get color black . Please guide us. We need fresh leaves or powder. I will get both .leaves and powder too. If leaves how much quantity we need.thank you.
will grey hair return. if i stop using this method.. please tell me?
Are dried herbs just as good as fresh? yes?
ive used semi perm colour for a few years… wanto try this on my next badger stripe outgrowth… dont want to wash/rinse long hair EVERY day… waht about sprayning onto roots and leaving in?
does it discolour scalp or skin?
Hi. Thanks for your article. You never answered the query whether to use dried or fresh herbs?
Dear, I am 30 years old, half my hairs are grey I am using dye but it made my hairs very bad and very thin and alot of hair fall out. kindly guide me if you have any natural hair dye you told us that remedies plz guide me on.
It does not make sense to use this as a pre-wash. And why strain it if it’s a pre-wash, just pour it on with all the herbs included, since it would be rinsed. Maybe it gives a poor texture to the hair so must be shampooed out. Harsh shampoos strip color though. I’m very gray. Should be an interesting experiment.
so u wash your hair daily for weeks? do u use shampoo?
I would like to know if i use dry or fresh herbs and how much to use
Thank you
I would not just make a tea but make an infusion. An infusion means to let the tea steep overnight or for 8 hours. I woul use fresh herbs, they are more potent and you can get them at the grocery store. Better yet go to Home Depot and get the fresh plants that way you can have as much as you want eveytime you need it. There was never an answer about the amount so I would just use one cup of water to about 1 tablespoon each of the herbs finely chopped. Strain it well and use it in a smal spray bottle. If you decide to make it stronger it would not hurt anything so play around. I am going to try this.
I can not use rosemary because I have high blood pressure what else can I use with the sage.Thank You
You use 1 cup. Do you pour it over your head several times?
Thank you
One cup is typically enough to pour over your head several times. You can pour it slowly and massage it into the hair and scalp to ensure even coverage.
Hello – I can’t find a response which confirms whether you used fresh or dried herbs? Thanks
I’m African Caribbean and have naturally thick tight curly hair. Therefore washing my hairs daily is not an option. Will it still work if I don’t wash it out?
Many thanks
The effectiveness of the recipe might vary if you don’t wash it out. It’s best to follow the instructions and rinse it out after applying the dye.
Will this hurt dyed hair?
It’s always important to proceed with caution when using homemade hair dye recipes on dyed hair. It’s recommended to do a patch test on a small section of hair before applying it to the entire head to ensure there are no adverse reactions or color changes.
My hair is all gray in the front and very fine. I make strong chamomile tea and spray it on my freshly washed hair (no conditioner) then blow dry it. Not only does it give me a very natural color, it also adds incredible volume and texture
That’s a great tip! Using chamomile tea can be a natural alternative for adding color, volume, and texture to gray hair.
What are the amounts of sage and rosemary used?
The article does not specify the amounts of sage and rosemary that was used. It might be worth experimenting with different quantities to find the desired effect. I would start with a base of 1 tablespoon dried sage and 1 tablespoon of dried rosemary to 8 ounces of water.
I’m willing to try this. I don’t want to use chemicals anymore. My hair is just about all gray, with dark underneath. I’ll let you know how it works. thanks
Did it work?? I’d really like to know.
Hi Lenore, that’s great to hear that you’re willing to try this natural approach! It’s always a good idea to avoid excessive chemical use if possible. Please do let us know how it works for you. Your experience may help others who are considering this method.
can we use hot water to steep rosemary and sage, so that result will be stronger tea?
Using hot water to steep the rosemary and sage may result in a stronger tea and potentially stronger color deposit. However, be cautious not to use water that is too hot, as extreme temperatures can damage the hair.
Does it actually color your hair permanently? Or does it wash out the next wash and you have to repeat in a daily basis?
This recipe is more like a semi-permanent color. It’s more likely that it will wash out after several washes and may need to be repeated regularly. Natural dyes often require more frequent application compared to chemical dyes.
Please, dear ladies,
If chemicals didn’t damage your hair “to death”
the most wonderful herbs like sage and rosemary can’t make it worse.
Quite contrary – it will restore it naturally and very gently.
Enjoy the wisdom of Mother Nature …
Good Luck ?
Absolutely! Chemicals can be harsh on hair, so natural remedies like sage and rosemary can be a gentler and healthier alternative. Mother Nature has provided us with many wonderful options for hair care.
Can you reuse the brewed mixture more than once if collected in a pan when poured over hair?
or better to mix up fresh daily ?
It is generally recommended to mix up a fresh batch of the grey hair dye recipe daily rather than reusing the brewed mixture. This is because the effectiveness and potency of the ingredients may diminish over time, causing the results to be less consistent. Additionally, fresh ingredients ensure cleanliness and minimize the risk of contamination. Therefore, for the best results, it’s best to mix up a new batch of the dye each time you plan to use it.