Fact Check: Can bottle gourd (Lauki) and coconut oil turn white hair black?

The Instagram post claims that "the application of dry bottle gourd boiled in coconut oil turns white hair black." The claim is False.

Claim

A post on Instagram claims that "the application of dry bottle gourd boiled in coconut oil turns white hair black." The post was made by Instagram user style_tuber, which states, "Everyone should know this. Dry bottle gourd (lauki) and boil it in coconut oil. Strain the oil and store it in a bottle. Massaging with this oil makes white hair start turning black."

The post can be accessed here.

Fact Check

The claim is False. Bottle gourd and coconut oil may help with general hair health, but there is no scientific evidence that they can turn grey or white hair black.

Health Benefits of Bottle Gourd (Lauki)

Lauki, known scientifically as Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standley, and commonly called bottle gourd in English, offers a wide range of health benefits and is easy to digest. It is rich in dietary fibre, which helps prevent constipation and gas. Drinking its juice in the morning may support weight loss by reducing unnecessary hunger. Bottle gourd contains essential minerals like sodium and potassium that help regulate blood pressure and lower the risk of heart problems. With about 96% water content, it helps keep the body cool, prevents fatigue, and quenches thirst, especially during summer. It also provides iron, vitamin B, and vitamin C, which support the body’s natural antioxidant defenses. Bottle gourd is suitable for children, diabetics, and those recovering from illness.

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

Coconut, scientifically called Cocos nucifera, is a tree well-known for its nutritional and medicinal value, and it has recently gained renewed attention in Western medicine. Coconut oil, widely used in many Asian cultures as a staple cooking oil, contains about 90–95% saturated fatty acids. It is obtained from the dried kernel or meat of the coconut, known as copra. The main component of coconut oil is lauric acid (47.5%), a low molecular weight saturated fat considered healthier compared to other saturated fats. Coconut oil is recognized for its antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-dermatophytic properties. Traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine and cultural practices around the world, it also has antiviral, anti-inflammatory, heart-protective, and liver-protective benefits.

What causes white or grey hair?

Hair graying is a natural part of aging that happens when the pigment-producing cells in hair follicles, called melanocytes, stop working properly or die. These melanocytes are supported by special stem cells known as melanocyte stem cells (McSCs), which normally help restore color during each new hair growth cycle. Over time, McSCs can become trapped in the wrong area of the hair follicle and stop producing new pigment cells, leading to permanent graying. Hair only gets its color during the active growth phase, called anagen. As people age, the ability of the follicles to produce melanin decreases, and once all pigment-producing cells are lost, hair turns gray or white and cannot regain its original color.

Does applying dry bottle gourd boiled in coconut oil turn white hair black?

Bottle gourd (lauki) and coconut oil offer several health benefits, for instance, bottle gourd aids in relieving constipation and gas, helps regulate blood pressure, and may reduce the risk of heart disease. Coconut oil is known for its antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-dermatophytic properties. But, there is no scientific study, clinical evidence, or medical consensus supporting the claim that the application of dry bottle gourd boiled in coconut oil turns white hair black.

A review published in The Pharma Innovation Journal states that juice extracted from bottle gourd leaves may help reduce hair graying. However, the review does not recommend the topical application of bottle gourd, nor does it claim that it can reverse grey hair (white hair) back to black.

Another review published in the Research Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics mentions that drinking a glass of bottle gourd juice daily may help maintain hair texture and prevent premature graying. The study does not recommend the topical use of bottle gourd, nor does it suggest that grey hair (white hair) can be reversed to black.

Another review article published in the International Journal of Current Research in Medical Sciences describes that coconut oil, being a saturated fat, can penetrate the hair cuticle when applied topically and may help prevent protein loss, which could play a role in delaying premature graying. But, he review does not claim that coconut oil can reverse grey hair (white hair) to black.

The above studies only discuss the potential of bottle gourd and coconut oil in preventing premature graying of hair, but they do not claim that these ingredients can turn grey hair (white hair) black. Moreover, there is no medical consensus within the healthcare community that supports this claim.

Dr Shareefa Chause, Dermatologist, Dr Shareefa Skin care clinic, Mumbai, "No evidence supports the claim that dry bottle gourd boiled in coconut oil can reverse white hair to black. It is a known fact that dry both bottle gourd and coconut oil have health benefits. So, bottle gourd is rich in vitamins and minerals, and coconut oil is known for its moisturizing and antimicrobial properties and is widely used by many people for hair oiling. However, no research is still available to prove that this combination can help restore natural hair color. White or grey hair is seen due to the loss of melanin, the pigment responsible for hair color, and this process is largely impacted by genetics and ageing factors and lifestyle modification ."

Dr. Ruby Sachdev, Consultant Aesthetic Physician, Gleneagles Hospital Bengaluru, "There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that boiling dry bottle gourd in coconut oil can reverse white hair to black. While natural oils like coconut oil can help nourish the scalp and improve hair texture, the greying of hair is primarily influenced by genetics, age, and oxidative stress. It's important to approach such remedies with realistic expectations and consult a qualified professional for personalised hair care solutions."

Health Dialogues Final Take

Bottle gourd and coconut oil are well-known for their health benefits, including aiding digestion, supporting heart health, and protecting hair from damage. While some reviews mention their potential in preventing premature graying, none support the claim that applying dry bottle gourd boiled in coconut oil can turn grey or white hair black. Moreover, there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus backing this claim.

Hence, the claim that the application of dry bottle gourd boiled in coconut oil turns white hair black is False.