Fact Check: Can applying cloves, bay leaves and coffee reverse gray hair in just 4 minutes?

An Instagram reel claims that applying cloves, bay leaves and coffee reverses gray hair in just 4 minutes. The claim is FALSE.

Claim

In an Instagram reel it is claimed that applying cloves, bay leaves and coffee reverses gray hair in just 4 minutes. In the reel by youthful.zoey it is said, "Gray hair will disappear forever in just 4 minutes with this natural remedy. First, you will need a spoonful of cloves. Cloves are believed to stimulate hair follicles and promote hair growth. This effect comes from a powerful compound called eugenol found in cloves that improves blood circulation and encourages hair follicles to produce stronger, healthier strands. Next, grab three bay leaves.

The vitamins and minerals present in bay leaves help strengthen hair follicles, reducing hair breakage and split ends. Pour 200 ml of water into a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Let it simmer for 5 minutes. Now add a spoonful of coffee and let it cook for a few more minutes. Coffee contains natural antioxidants that help bring shine and vibrancy back to dull hair, making it look much healthier. Once done, strain the mixture with a sieve. Your remedy is ready.

Store it in a small container and apply it generously onto your scalp and hair strands, paying special attention to the air areas with gray hair. Massage it gently into the scalp. Repeat this regularly and you will start seeing the results."

The reel can be seen here.

Fact Check

The claim by the user is FALSE. There is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to back the claim that applying cloves, bay leaves and coffee reverses gray hair in just 4 minutes.

What causes white or gray hair?

Hair naturally turns gray or white with age due to a reduction in melanin, the pigment that gives hair its color. Melanin is produced by melanocytes, which are replenished by melanocyte stem cells (McSCs) during each hair growth cycle. Over time, these stem cells can become displaced within the follicle, losing their ability to produce new melanocytes. Since hair gains its color only during the anagen (growth) phase, the absence or malfunction of pigment-producing cells results in gray or white hair. Once melanin production stops entirely, the hair loses its color permanently. Once hair turns white, the change is permanent—it may shed and regrow, but the original color will not return.

What are the Health Benefits of cloves, bay leaves and coffee?

Clove, originally native to Indonesia and now cultivated in countries like Brazil, is a prized spice long used in food preservation and traditional remedies. It contains high levels of phenolic compounds such as eugenol, eugenol acetate, and gallic acid, contributing to its broad applications in medicine, cosmetics, food, and agriculture. Research indicates that clove exhibits more potent antioxidant and antimicrobial effects than many fruits, vegetables, and other spices.

Bay leaf, cultivated for centuries across Europe, Asia, and tropical regions, is widely valued for its culinary use, essential oils, and role in traditional medicine. It possesses a range of biological activities, including antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and immune-boosting effects.

Coffee, one of the most consumed beverages globally, is a complex blend of bioactive compounds, including chlorogenic acid, polyphenols, caffeine (a methylxanthine), carbohydrates, lipids, nitrogenous substances, nicotinic acid, and essential minerals like potassium and magnesium. Research indicates that moderate coffee intake may be linked to a reduced risk of chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, liver disorders, and cardiovascular disease. It may also offer neuroprotective and anticancer effects. However, these potential health benefits should be viewed in the context of an individual's overall diet and lifestyle.

Can applying cloves, bay leaves and coffee reverse gray hair in just 4 minutes?

There is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to support the claim that applying cloves, bay leaves, and coffee can reverse gray hair let alone in just 4 minutes. While these ingredients may provide certain health benefits they cannot alter the underlying biology of hair pigmentation.

Clove oil offers certain benefits for hair health. An article published in the International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts highlights its antifungal, antibacterial, and hair growth–stimulating properties when applied topically to the scalp and hair. However, there is currently no scientific evidence to support the claim that clove oil can reverse gray hair.

Bay leaf offers multiple health benefits. A review by Saima Batool et. al. underscores its diverse biological activities. The study reports that bay leaf exhibits wound healing, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, immunostimulant, anticholinergic, antifungal, insect repellent, anticonvulsant, antimutagenic, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Coffee may act as a natural hair dye. According to an article published in World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences it was found that coffee may act as a natural dyeing agent, imparting subtle, earthy tones particularly deep browns when applied to hair.

While coffee may act as a natural dyeing agent, there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus supporting the claim that clove, bay leaf, or coffee can reverse gray hair within 4 minutes.

Talking to Dr. Priyanka Kuri, Consultant - Dermatology, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru, she said, "Several newer molecules and supplements—such as dark nail extract, melatonin, caravis, biotin, and calcium pantothenate—have been studied for their potential to stimulate alpha-melanocyte–stimulating hormone, which may promote melanin production. While these may help, results for grey hair reversal are slow and limited.

Simple home remedies like clove, bay leaves, or coffee cannot reverse grey hair in minutes. They are rich in antioxidants and can support overall hair health, but reversal of greying is extremely difficult. Most treatments aim to delay or prevent new greying rather than reverse existing grey hair.

Greying is often genetic, but other factors—vitamin deficiencies (especially B12), lack of antioxidants, stress, and pollution—also play a role. Damage to melanocytes (pigment cells) reduces melanin in hair follicles, and current medicine has limited ability to restore them.

For supportive care, experts recommend:

Maintaining an antioxidant-rich diet.

Protecting hair from excessive pollution and UV radiation (e.g., using an umbrella when outdoors).

Correcting vitamin deficiencies and following a healthy lifestyle.

In short, lifestyle modification, nutrition, and protection may help slow greying, but complete reversal remains very challenging with current treatments."

Dr. Divya Siddavaram, Senior Dermatologist CARE HOSPITALS, Hyderabad further said, "No, this is not possible. Hair turns gray when pigment cells stop working, and once that happens, the natural color cannot return. Cloves, bay leaves, and coffee may improve scalp health, add shine, or give a temporary dark tint, but they cannot reverse graying. Claims of “permanent hair removal in 4 minutes” are also myths, only medical treatments like laser or electrolysis can do that. Oils like “Spoil Betona” may nourish the scalp and reduce dryness, but there is no scientific evidence that they restore lost pigment. Such remedies should be seen as supportive, not curative."

Medical Dialogues Final Take

The claim that applying a mixture of cloves, bay leaves, and coffee can reverse gray hair in 4 minutes is false and scientifically unsupported. While these ingredients might offer certain health benefits, coffee might provide minor or temporary staining effects, they do not affect melanin production or reverse graying.

Hence, the claim is FALSE.