Home Remedies
Home Remedies For Dandruff, Itchy Scalp & Hairfall: Herbs & Spices To Remove Dandruff Quickly
Home Remedies For Dandruff, Itchy Scalp & Hair fall: Herbs & Spices To Remove Dandruff Quickly
Before anything else, it is important to state forthwith that dandruff cannot be cured. The various treatment methods for this common skin/hair condition are basically to control the condition.
That said, we shall be considering some home remedies for dandruff and its symptoms like itchy scalp. These home remedies basically comprise herbs and common kitchen spices which can help to control the condition.
What is dandruff or itchy scalp?
Dandruff, or seborrheic dermatitis, is a condition that affects parts of the skin, especially the scalp. While the hair is the most commonly affected, dandruff can also affect other parts of the body (as far as there is hair there) like the eyebrows.
Regardless of age, anyone can be affected by dandruff. However, the risk of developing the condition may vary across persons. Thus, dandruff can be a chronic condition in people who are at a higher risk.
Causes of dandruff
Dandruff is caused, basically, when the skin (or scalp) produces excess skin cells, which eventually die and are shed off as they mix with oil in the scalp.
Apart from the overproduction of skin cells, dandruff, or seborrhea, can be caused by other reasons. Following are some other causes of this common hair condition:
- Dry skin
- Oily skin
- Irregular brushing/washing of the hair
- Fungal infection
- Some hair care products
- Poor dieting
- Other causes such as stress or the presence of a skin disease like dermatitis and psoriasis.
Symptoms of dandruff
Common signs and symptoms of dandruff include the following:
- Itchy scalp
- Dry, white flakes on dark clothing
- Chronic eczema on the ear
- Facial rash
- Chest rash
If the dandruff is not treated it can lead to hair loss due to inflammation in the skin.
Home remedies for dandruff treatment
While there are anti-dandruff hair care products that can be used for treating dandruff, the following are some natural remedies for the condition:
- Baking soda: Baking soda is a common kitchen ingredient that comes in handy in the treatment of various health problems, including dandruff. Baking soda helps by reducing the fungi responsible for dandruff. You can use baking soda for dandruff treatment by rubbing the powder on your scalp (after previously wetting the hair). Wash the hair two minutes after applying the baking soda. It is noteworthy to state here that, during the initial stages, the hair may appear dry due to reduced oil production, but after some weeks of treatment, the scalp will resume oil production making the hair softer.
- Banana and avocado: Dandruff symptoms such as flakes, itching, and dryness of the scalp can be reduced using a mixture of crushed bananas and avocado. While bananas help to keep the hair and scalp shiny and soft, avocado helps to keep the skin cells healthy. For this method, get 2 medium size bananas and one avocado and crush together. Apply the mash to the scalp and leave for a minimum of half an hour. Wash off with cold water afterward. This process should be repeated daily until the symptoms are reduced or completely eliminated.
- Coconut oil: Rubbing the scalp with a mixture of coconut oil and a few drops of tea tree oil is a natural way of treating dandruff and its symptoms. This is because the oil possesses antimicrobial properties that can help in killing off any microorganism causing the dandruff. This method can be done before bedtime and washed off after waking in the morning.
- Fish oil: Fish oil is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. Other good sources are flaxseeds, salmon, and walnuts. Omega-3 fatty acids are considered as healthy fats and are beneficial to skin health. Control of oil production, hydration, and wound healing are some of the benefits of these fats. Thus, a deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids have been linked with many health problems, including dandruff. Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids is a natural way of controlling dandruff.
- Olive oil: Apply about 10 drops of olive oil to the scalp before going to bed to get rid of dandruff. You can use a shower cap to cover your hair, then, wash off when you wake up the next day.
- Fenugreek seeds: For this method, you will need to soak some fenugreek seeds in water and leave over the night. In the morning, strain the water and crush the seeds into paste. Apply the paste to the scalp and leave for about one hour. Finally, using a mild shampoo and water, wash off the paste.
- Apple cider vinegar: As stated earlier, dandruff can be as a result of fungal infection. The powerful action of vinegar can help to destroy any fungus responsible for the dandruff. Symptoms such as itchy scalp and flaky skin can be corrected by washing the hair with a solution of apple cider vinegar diluted in an equal amount of water.
- Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil does not only help in controlling dandruff, but it also benefits the hair by making the hair shine brighter. Apply a few drops of the oil on the scalp and leave for about 5 minutes. Wash off with a mild shampoo afterward.
- Lemon juice: Lemon, like other citrus foods, contains many acids that are capable of destroying dandruff-causing fungi in the scalp. Moreover, this is a better solution than using some hair care products that come with adverse side effects. For this method, you will need to get some fresh lemons and juice them. After juicing, mix about a teaspoon of the juice with a cup of warm water and wash the hair with it. Alternatively, you can apply two tablespoons of the juice to the hair and massage directly, without diluting.
- Curd: Curd is a dairy product that comes as a result of coagulating milk, and is used to make cheese. Like milk, curd also contains acids such as lactic acid that are beneficial to hair health. Applying fermented sour curd on a hair affected by dandruff for about one hour and subsequently rinsing will help to get rid of the dandruff.
- Lavender oil: Lavender oil has antifungal properties that are capable of destroying the fungi causing the dandruff. Mix 10 drops of lavender oil with 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil like olive oil and apply to the scalp. Leave the mixture on the scalp for about half an hour before rinsing.
- Rosemary oil: Like lavender oil, rosemary oil is an essential oil that can help in treating dandruff. Mix the oil with a carrier oil like olive oil or coconut oil and apply on the scalp. Using a hot towel, wrap the head and leave it for a while. When the towel cools down, take it off and rinse the hair.
- Neem: Get some neem leaves and grind into a paste using a food processor. Apply the paste on your scalp and leave for about 10 minutes before washing off with water. This remedy works because neem leaves have antibacterial properties that can destroy any microbe in the hair.
- Orange peel: Who would have thought that the peel of orange can be of any good? Well, surprisingly, orange peel can help to cure dandruff and hair loss. The acidic content of the peel is highly effective in reducing excess oil in the skin ? don?t forget that oily skin can lead to dandruff. Get some dry orange peels and blend with lemon juice to get a paste. Afterward, apply the paste to the scalp and leave for about half an hour before washing off. This should be done at least twice each week to get maximum results.
- Aloe vera: Itchy scalp and other similar symptoms of dandruff can be eliminated by using aloe vera. Apply aloe vera gel to the scalp and subsequently massaging will help in soothing the itching and rashes on the skin. Don?t forget to wash off with shampoo and water afterward.
- Probiotics: Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that reside in the body. Foods containing probiotics like kefir, kimchi, and yogurt are helpful in treating dandruff. While probiotics have various health benefits in our bodies including boosting the immune system, research has shown that eating more probiotics can help in controlling dandruff. Moreover, probiotics have been confirmed to be beneficial to skin health as they help in reducing the symptoms of eczema and dermatitis.
- Henna: Mix Henna with lemon juice, curd, and tea liquor. Allow the mixture to sit for about 8 hours. Rub the mixture on the scalp and hair and leave for about 2 hours before rinsing off.
- Table salt: Table salt can also work as a remedy for dandruff ? funny, isn?t it? Use a saltshaker to pour some salt on your scalp, and then, start massaging the scalp. After a few minutes of massaging, wash off with shampoo. Salt helps in this way due to its abrasive nature.
- Green tea and peppermint oil: Green tea has powerful antioxidant properties that can benefit persons suffering from dandruff, while peppermint oil can help in promoting hair health. Prepare a cup of green tea by boiling the leaves in water. Dribble a few drops of peppermint oil into the tea and add a teaspoon of white vinegar to the mixture. Next, make the hair moist with water and run the mixture through the hair. As you are pouring the mixture, massage the scalp at the same time, and continue massaging for about five minutes before washing off with shampoo and conditioner.
- Garlic: Garlic helps in dandruff treatment due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. To benefit from this method, crush some cloves of garlic and apply to the scalp. You can mix the crushed garlic with honey if you cannot stand the pungent smell of garlic.
Dandruff and its symptoms can be quite frustrating. And while there are many over-the-counter anti-dandruff products, trying any of the above-mentioned natural remedies will bring relief to the problem.
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