It's unknown why age halts the body from producing hair color pigments, but until scientists figure it out, women will continue to spend hundreds of hours -- and dollars -- coloring their hair. If you're looking for a new way to boost your natural color, try some alternative dyes, Mother Nature's cheaper way to disguise the gray. (Note: Chemical residue left in your hair could create an unfavorable result when mixed with natural dyes. If you've recently had a chemical treatment on your hair, always do a test patch.)

For brunettes who want to cover gray effectively, sage is one of the oldest and most effective colorants. Take a handful of the dried herb and add to a quart of boiling water for 30 minutes or more. The longer it boils, the deeper the tint. Cool the mixture and strain it. Poor the tea through clean, towel-dried hair 15 times or more, depending on desired darkness.

A dark, sable colored dye can be mixed from walnut hulls. First crush the hulls with a mortar and pestle, cover them with boiling water and a pinch of salt, and let them soak for three days. Then add three cups of boiling water and simmer the hulls in a nonmetal container for five hours, replacing the water as it steams away. Strain off the liquid, place the walnut hulls in a cloth sack, and twist it tightly to wring out all remaining juice. Finally, return the liquid to the pot and reduce it by boiling to about a quarter of its original volume. This will be the base for a rich walnut dye.

Add a teaspoon of ground cloves or allspice to the prepared extract. Allow the dye mixture to steep in the refrigerator for about a week, shaking it periodically during that time. When it's ready for use, strain the liquid through a piece of cheesecloth and pour it at least 15 times through freshly washed hair before rinsing thoroughly. (Okay, it's time-consuming, but it is organic!)

Do blonds really have more fun? Not when their hair becomes dull and overexposure from the sun creates brown streaks. To lighten and brighten, prepare a chamomile rinse for use once a week. Take a half a cup of chamomile flowers and boil them in a quart of water for 30 minutes. Strain the mixture and let cool. After you shampoo, pour the mixture through towel-dried hair about 15 times, reusing it by plugging the sink so it catches the runoff. Leave the solution on your hair for 15 minutes and rinse with clear water. Any yellow non-poisonous blossomed flower or herb can be used on blond hair, including pot marigold, mullien blooms, saffron or turmeric.

For a hair lightening spray cut three fresh lemons into chunks and put into a bowl with 2 cups of boiled water. Let it cool for 30 minutes and add 3 spoonfuls of salt. Once it's completely cooled pour into a clean spray bottle. Spray on wet hair and let dry in the sun.

Henna will dye your hair a reddish color, but will vary based on your natural hair color. If your hair is naturally blonde or 75% gray you will have a bright, brassy red result with Henna. If your natural color is brown, your results will be a rich coffee, or chestnut auburn. Henna won't dry out your hair because it's a safe healthful dye that coats the cuticle layer of each hair strand.

Make a paste with 4 tbsp of henna powder (available in health food stores) and hot water and leave this to steep for 30 minutes. Test it on a few strands of hair. To deepen the red, add more henna powder; to tone it down add a strong chamomile infusion. For a very dark, rich color, use black henna powder, which is mixed with indigo. When the color is satisfactory, rub systematically through the hair using rubber gloves. Cover the hair with a plastic bath hat or bag and wrap tightly round with a steaming hot, damp towel. After an hour rinse the paste off a few strands of hair and see how the color is developing. It may be necessary to leave the dye on overnight for a really strong color, in which case you can forget the hot towel and just sleep with the bag on your head. Rinse thoroughly, wash hair with a mild shampoo, and rub a little oil into the scalp. The dye can last for 5 or 6 months.

Because herbal dyes aren't permanent you should renew your herbal rinse when your desired shade begins to fade. Always wear rubber gloves and clothes you don't care about -- remember it's still a dye, even if it is natural.