An Ayurvedic Approach to Palitya (Premature Greying of Hair)
Journal name: Ayushdhara
Original article title: An Ayurvedic Approach to Palitya (Premature Greying of Hair)
AYUSHDHARA is an international peer-reviewed journal. It focuses on research in Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy, Allopathy, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
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Rashmi Temani
PhD Scholar, Department of Rog Nidana, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Charan Singh
PhD Scholar, Department of Rog Nidana, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Sharma Surendra Kumar
Professor, Department of Rog Nidana, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Ayushdhara:
(A peer-reviewed, bi-monthly open-access journal)
Full text available for: An Ayurvedic Approach to Palitya (Premature Greying of Hair)
Year: 2023 | Doi: 10.47070/ayushdhara.v10iSuppl2.1153
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Premature greying of hair, known in Ayurveda as Palitya, is increasingly common due to modern lifestyle factors such as stress, pollution, and dietary habits. While grey hair is typically a sign of aging, premature greying occurs before the age of 35. This article discusses the Ayurvedic understanding of Palitya, its causes, types, and treatments, highlighting the link between premature hair greying and the balance of bodily doshas—specifically, the Pitta dosha.
Diet and Lifestyle Factors
Palitya is influenced by various etiological factors, broadly categorized under four main groups: dietary (Aharaja), external behavior (Viharaja), psychological (Manasika), and miscellaneous causes (Anya Hetuja). Within dietary factors, Aharaja Nidana includes harmful food habits that impede the nourishment of Rasa dhatu, vital for maintaining the health of hair and skin. For instance, the excessive use of salt and alkaline substances is linked to aggravation of Pitta dosha, which contributes to hair greying. Furthermore, habits such as late-night awakenings, excessive exposure to harsh environmental conditions, and neglect of natural bodily urges also play significant roles in the early onset of Palitya.
Types of Palitya
According to Ayurvedic texts, Palitya is classified into several types, which reflect the underlying imbalances of the bodily doshas. These classifications include Prakrta Palitya, which occurs naturally with age, and Akala Palitya, which arises prematurely. Additionally, Acharya Sushruta and other Ayurvedic scholars have identified types based on predominant dosha involvement, such as Vataja, Pittaja, and Kaphaja, each associated with distinct symptoms. The understanding of these classifications helps in diagnosing and determining appropriate therapies by assessing the specific doshic imbalances present in an individual.
Conclusion
In summary, Palitya is a condition with substantial prevalence, attributed to both internal imbalances and external lifestyle factors. Ayurvedic literature provides valuable insights into the pathogenesis of premature greying, linking it to disrupted functions of Bhrajaka pitta, which is vital for hair pigmentation. Although modern medicine offers limited solutions, including temporary cosmetic treatments, Ayurveda presents a holistic approach emphasizing dietary adjustments and lifestyle changes, aiming to restore balance within the body's systems, thereby addressing both the cosmetic and health-related aspects of premature greying of hair effectively.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is Palitya and its significance in Ayurveda?
Palitya, or premature greying of hair, is recognized in Ayurveda as a result of imbalances in Pitta dosha, particularly influenced by factors like diet, lifestyle, and emotional stress. It represents an alteration in hair pigmentation and is addressed through holistic remedies.
What are the primary causes of premature greying of hair?
The causes of premature greying, or Palitya, include dietary factors, lifestyle choices, psychological stress, and environmental influences. Ayurveda categorizes these causes into four groups: diet (Aharaja), behavior (Viharaja), psyche (Manasika), and miscellaneous factors (Anya hetuja).
How does Ayurveda propose to treat Palitya?
Ayurveda suggests treating Palitya through Pitta-shamaka therapies, including dietary changes and herbal medications. Nasya (nasal therapies) and the application of specific oils can also help restore hair color and balance doshas, promoting overall scalp health.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “An Ayurvedic Approach to Palitya (Premature Greying of Hair)�. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Palitya:
In Ayurveda, Palitya refers to the premature greying of hair. It is mentioned as Akala Palitya when it occurs before the natural aging process, due to various causes including lifestyle factors, diet, stress, and genetic predisposition.
2) Hair:
Hair greys due to the gradual reduction of melanin production in hair follicles. Ayurveda believes this is influenced by the imbalance of Pitta dosha, which disrupts the natural color imparted by Bhrajaka-pitta.
3) Pitta:
Pitta dosha is a fundamental concept in Ayurveda, associated with fire and heat. Its imbalance, specifically Bhrajaka Pitta, leads to the reduction of melanin, causing premature greying of hair.
4) Akala:
In the context of Palitya, Akala refers to the untimely or premature occurrence of a phenomenon, such as premature greying of hair, caused by various lifestyle and endogenous factors.
5) Nidana:
Nidana refers to the causative factors of a disease. For Palitya, these include diet (Aharaja), lifestyle (Viharaja), mental (Manasika), and miscellaneous factors (Anya Hetuja).
6) Ayurveda (Ayus-veda):
Ayurveda, the ancient Indian holistic health science, aims at balancing the body's doshas. It provides a comprehensive approach to managing conditions like Palitya through diet, lifestyle, and herbal remedies.
7) Roga:
[see source text or glossary: Roga]
8) Vata:
Vata dosha represents air and movement in the body. Its aggravation, along with Pitta, contributes to the premature greying of hair, as seen in the case of Palitya.
9) Bhrajakapitta (Bhrajaka-pitta):
Bhrajakapitta is the Pitta subtype that influences pigmentation in the skin and hair. Its imbalance is a primary cause of Palitya or premature greying.
10) Bhrajaka:
[see source text or glossary: Bhrajaka]
11) Disease:
Disease in Ayurveda is viewed as an imbalance of doshas. Palitya is considered a tridoshic condition primarily driven by Pitta imbalance, affecting the hair's natural pigment.
12) Acarya:
[see source text or glossary: Acarya]
13) Samprapti:
Samprapti refers to the pathogenesis or the sequence of events leading to the development of a disease. In Palitya, it involves increased Pitta and Vata affecting Bhrajaka Pitta in the scalp.
14) Tridosha (Tridosa, Tri-dosha):
[see source text or glossary: Tridosha]
15) Kaphaja:
Kaphaja Palitya involves symptoms like unctuous, growing, thick, and whitish hair. It’s one of the types of Palitya based on doshic involvement.
16) Pittaja (Pitta-ja):
Pittaja type of Palitya is characterized by yellowish, dry, burning, and brittle hair. It is primarily driven by Pitta dosha imbalance.
17) Kapha:
Kapha dosha, which is associated with structure and stability in the body, can also contribute to the greying of hair when imbalanced, as in Kaphaja Palitya.
18) Shoka (Soka):
[see source text or glossary: Shoka]
19) Dhatu:
Dhatus are the structural entities of the body. In Palitya, improper nourishment of Rasa dhatu, among others, can lead to hair and pigment issues.
20) Guna:
Gunas are the qualities of substances. Imbalance of attributes like Ushna (hot) and Tikshna (sharp) in Pitta contributes to conditions like Palitya.
21) Kala:
[see source text or glossary: Kala]
22) Pittadosha (Pittadosa, Pitta-dosha):
Pitta dosha, related to heat and metabolism, plays a key role in hair pigmentation. Its imbalance, particularly Bhrajaka Pitta, can lead to premature greying or Palitya.
23) Sthanika:
[see source text or glossary: Sthanika]
24) Krodha:
[see source text or glossary: Krodha]
25) Vataja (Vata-ja):
Vataja Palitya manifests as split, grey, rough, dry, and irregular hair due to Vata dosha imbalance and is one of the types of Palitya.
26) Dosha (Dosa):
[see source text or glossary: Dosa]
27) Rasa (Rasha):
[see source text or glossary: Rasa]
28) Rasadhatu (Rasa-dhatu):
[see source text or glossary: Rasa-dhatu]
29) Tridoshaja (Tridosaja):
[see source text or glossary: Tridoshaja]
30) Shiroroga (Siroroga, Shiras-roga):
Shiroroga, as mentioned by Acharya Vagbhatta, includes diseases of the head such as Palitya, reflecting premature greying of hair due to dosha imbalances.
31) Vagbhata:
Vagbhata, an ancient Ayurveda scholar, classified Palitya according to dosha imbalances like Vataja, Pittaja, Kaphaja, Dvandaja, and Tridoshaja, offering insights into its causes and treatments.
32) Romakupa (Roman-kupa):
[see source text or glossary: Romakupa]
33) Samhita:
[see source text or glossary: Samhita]
34) Prakopa:
[see source text or glossary: Prakopa]
35) Sevana:
[see source text or glossary: Sevana]
36) Rashmi (Rasmi):
Temani Rashmi is noted as the author of the article discussing Ayurvedic approaches to managing Palitya or premature greying of hair.
37) Shrama (Srama):
[see source text or glossary: Shrama]
38) Mithya:
[see source text or glossary: Mithya]
39) Palita:
[see source text or glossary: Palita]
40) Vyadhin (Vyadhi):
[see source text or glossary: Vyadhi]
41) Karma (Karman):
[see source text or glossary: Karma]
42) Nasya (Nashya):
Nasya is a treatment involving administration of herbal extracts through the nasal passage, cited as an effective approach for managing Palitya in Ayurveda.
43) Ushna (Usna):
[see source text or glossary: Ushna]
44) Ahara:
[see source text or glossary: Ahara]
45) Kesa (Kesha):
Kesha represents hair, which is affected in conditions like Palitya due to imbalances in doshas, resulting in premature greying.
46) Hetu:
[see source text or glossary: Hetu]
47) Salt (Salty):
[see source text or glossary: Salt]
48) Drug:
[see source text or glossary: Drug]
49) Sthanasamshraya (Sthanasamsraya, Sthana-samshraya):
[see source text or glossary: Sthanasamshraya]
50) Viruddhahara (Viruddha-ahara):
[see source text or glossary: Viruddha-ahara]
51) Madhavanidana (Madhava-nidana):
[see source text or glossary: Madhava-nidana]
52) Nidanasthana (Nidana-sthana):
[see source text or glossary: Nidana-sthana]
53) Kshudraroga (Kshudra-roga, Ksudraroga):
[see source text or glossary: Kshudra-roga]
54) Kesharanjana (Kesaranjana):
[see source text or glossary: Kesharanjana]
55) Nasyakarman (Nasyakarma, Nasya-karma):
[see source text or glossary: Nasya-karma]
56) Adhyashana (Adhyasana):
[see source text or glossary: Adhyashana]
57) Saurashtra (Saurastra):
[see source text or glossary: Saurashtra]
58) Udakadhara (Udaka-adhara, Udaka-dhara):
[see source text or glossary: Udakadhara]
59) Keshabhumi (Kesabhumi, Kesha-bhumi):
[see source text or glossary: Kesabhumi]
60) Kriyakala:
[see source text or glossary: Kriya-kala]
61) Discussion:
[see source text or glossary: Discussion]
62) Saindhava (Saimdhava):
[see source text or glossary: Saindhava]
63) Ratnakara (Ratna-akara, Ratna-kara):
[see source text or glossary: Ratnakara]
64) Rajasthan:
[see source text or glossary: Rajasthan]
65) Substance:
[see source text or glossary: Substance]
66) Haritaki:
[see source text or glossary: Haritaki]
67) Surendra (Sura-indra, Suremdra):
[see source text or glossary: Surendra]
68) Prakrita (Prakrta):
[see source text or glossary: Prakrta]
69) Rukshata (Ruksata):
[see source text or glossary: Rukshata]
70) Pariksha (Pariksa):
[see source text or glossary: Pariksha]
71) Prakriya (Prakriye):
[see source text or glossary: Prakriya]
72) Samgraha (Sangraha):
[see source text or glossary: Samgraha]
73) Madhura:
[see source text or glossary: Madhura]
74) Hridaya (Hrdaya):
[see source text or glossary: Hridaya]
75) Kshudra (Ksudra):
[see source text or glossary: Kshudra]
[Note: The above list is limited to 75. Total glossary definitions available: 123]
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