Dandruff Herbal Remedies
Dandruff is that flaky white stuff that you may see on your shoulders and clothing that comes from a dry scalp. Besides this common form, there is also a form known as waxy-dandruff. Waxy-dandruff occurs when the scales of the scalp are mixed with sebum, making it stick to the scalp in patches. Another common name for this condition is cradle cap.
Symptoms
Symptoms of dry-dandruff include white flakey scales of skin that fall from the scalp. The scalp may be itchy. For waxy-dandruff, you may notice large patches of dark colored scales stuck to your scalp.
Causes
Dandruff may be caused by poor nutrition, using alkaline soaps or shampoos too frequently or a deficiency of zinc. Other contributing factors may include a dry or oily scalp, sunburn, an allergic reaction or even stress. The most common form is seborrheic dermatitis.
Cautions
Excessive dandruff may be caused by a bacterial infection that can be spread to others through sharing towels, hair brushes, combs and soaps. A medicated shampoo may be required to be rid of the infection.
Herbal Treatments
Internal Applications
- Burdock – add 2 teaspoons of the root to 1 cup of boiling water and let it steep for 15 to 20 minutes. Drink this infusion 3 times per day to cleanse the liver. This will aid the body in processing toxins more quickly and help curb seborrheic dermatitis and the resulting dandruff.
External Applications
- Aloe vera – rub into the scalp vigorously for a short time, then leave it to soak in for 5 to 10 minutes. After this time use a mild shampoo to rinse out the aloe.
- Fenugreek – soak 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds in water for 24 hours. After this soaking, grind the softened seeds into a paste and apply it to the scalp, leaving it on for half an hour. Shampoo your hair as usual afterwards using a mild brand of shampoo.
- Neem – Soak the leaves in water and then strain out the used herb, use the liquid as a hair rinse.
- Thyme – Boil 4 to 5 tablespoons of dried thyme in a liter of water for a few minutes. After it has cooled, massage the infusion into the scalp, letting it soak in for about 30 minutes before shampooing.
- Lemon – mix 1 teaspoon of lemon juice with 2 teaspoons of vinegar. Massage this into the scalp.
- Goldenseal or Oregon Grape – both of these herbs contain berberine, which is a strong antibacterial and antifungal compound. Make a tea of the root of the herb of your choice by chopping 2 teaspoons of the root and adding it to 1 cup of boiling water. Let it steep, and then strain it. After it cools, use it as a rinse 3 to 4 times per day. Berberine may irritate the skin, so if you notice a reaction to it, you may want to choose a different remedy.
- Nettle - boil 20grams dried herb in 700 ml water for 10 minutes. Strain, cool and massage into the scalp for 5 minutes, leave in for 15 minutes. Wash hair as usual and repeat weekly as required.
- Rosemary – make an herbal tea by pouring 1 cup of boiling water on 1 teaspoon of chopped leaves. Steep the solution, strain out the herbs and then apply once a day as a compress. Add 3 drops of the essential oil to 10 ml carrier oil and massage into the scalp for 5 minutes. Leave for 15 minutes under a hot towel and then wash hair as usual. Repeat weekly as required.
Aromatherapy
Essential oils can be used to massage into the scalp to help treat dandruff. For fair hair, add 1 drop chamomile oil and 1 drop lemon essential oil to 5 ml of carrier oil. For dark hair, use patchouli and ylang ylang. Massage into head for 5 minutes, cover with hot towel for 15 minutes and then wash hair as usual. Repeat once a week as required.