Home remedies for Dandruff
Home remedies for dandruff can help eradicate persistent dandruff. Dandruff is a common scalp condition which may range from mild to severe.
What is Dandruff? Dandruff is the shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp. As the old skin cells die, they are pushed to the surface and expelled hence, small amount of flaking is normal. In few people, the new cells are produced at a greater pace than they die hence, resulting in more skin being shed thus, making dandruff evident.
The symptoms of dandruff can at times be very distressing and embarrassing creating physiological and psychological impact on an individual. This condition can be easily controlled using home remedies, though in some cases, treatment can be time consuming. The treatment of dandruff requires patience and persistence.
A word of caution: These home remedies have been passed down to us by our readers, old wisdom and self experience. Please do your due diligence to see what may work for you. Please consult a related professional for more advise…
Few of the causes of dandruff…
1. Emotional stress.
2. Seborrhoeic Dermatitis.
3. Insufficient shampooing & hair brushing.
4. Excessive growth of a type of fungus – Malassezia.
5. Certain skin conditions such as Eczema, Psoriasis, etc.
6. Sensitivity to certain components of hair care & styling products.
7. Certain neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, severe head injuries, etc.
Symptom
1. Redness.
2. Irritation.
3. Itching on the scalp.
4. White flakes on the scalp and hair.
Natural home remedies for Dandruff
I have listed a few simple home remedies to counter dandruff. As mentioned earlier, one needs patience and persistence…
1/24. Neem
Neem helps in treating dandruff and several other hair conditions because of its anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties. Neem leaves also aids in relieving itching and inhibits the growth of the fungi causing dandruff. Neem is also known as Indian Lilac.
1. Handful of neem leaves is to be taken and boiled in four cups of water. Then, the solution is cooled and strained. Rinse your hair two to three times a week with this decoction.
2. Boil the neem leaves for half an hour and then make a paste and apply it on your scalp and rinse it after an hour.
2/24. Coconut Oil
The anti-fungal property of coconut oil helps in eradicating dandruff. Coconut oil further helps in moisturizing the dry scalp and offers relief from itching.
1. Some amounts of coconut oil is taken and mixed with half the amount of lemon juice; massage your scalp with this mixture for few minutes. The hair is to be washed after 20 minutes. This procedure should be repeated twice to thrice per week. Avoid using this combination if you have any wounds or cuts on your scalp as the acidic nature of lemon juice may aggravate it. Use only fresh lemon juice as stored lemon juice may have artificial ingredients which may not be quite effective.
2. Boil 50 grams of the marigold flowers and 250 ml of the coconut oil for 15 minutes. Later add 2 pinches of camphor. Allow the mixture to cool. Apply this mixture over the scalp regularly.
3/24. Apple Cider Vinegar
Vinegar helps in restoring the pH balance of the scalp hence, prevents the growth of the yeast. It also helps in cleaning the blocked pores and hair follicles.
1. Two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar is to be mixed with an equal amount of water and 15-20 drops of tea tree oil. Massage your scalp with this mixture and then, rinse your hair after a few minutes. Repeat this procedure twice to thrice per week.
4/24. Baking Soda
Baking soda aids in eliminating the excess dead skin cells and absorbs the excess oil. It further helps in maintaining the pH balance and decreases the growth of fungi causing dandruff.
1. Rub a handful of baking soda onto your wet hairs. Rinse your hair well with warm water after a few minutes. Same procedure is to be repeated for a few weeks. Avoid shampooing your hair after this treatment.
2. Add one teaspoon of baking soda to your shampoo and wash your hair. Avoid leaving baking soda on your hair for long as it might lead to dryness of the hairs.
5/24. White Vinegar
The acetic acid content of vinegar helps prevent the growth of fungi and reduces the itching. It further aids in treating the dry skin.
1. Half cup of vinegar is to be added to two cups of water and then this mixture is used to rinse your hair after shampooing your hair. Repeat this one to two times in a week.
2. Boil two cups of vinegar and after it cools add one-eighth cup of water. Massage your scalp with this mixture and then shampoo your hair.
6/24. Olive Oil
Olive oil moisturizes the dry scalp and prevents flaking.
1. Massage your scalp with some warm extra virgin olive oil and then wrap your hair in a warm towel, leaving it on for minimum 45 minutes or overnight. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo the next morning. Repeat this process few times per week. Warm olive oil is more effective in controlling dandruff.
2. Mix 2 tablespoons of moong dal powder with 4 tablespoons of curd and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Apply this mixture on the hair and rinse it after 15 minutes.
7/24. Tea Tree Oil
The anti-fungal property of tea tree oil is responsible in the treatment of dandruff.
1. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to a tablespoon of coconut oil or olive oil; apply this mixture on your hair and leave it on for around 30 minutes and then wash your hair. Repeat this one to two times in a week.
2. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to your regular shampoo when you wash your hair.
3. Take 1 tablespoon of tea tree oil into 1 cup of warm water, shake well and after shampooing, spray this mixture all over your scalp and massage it for a couple of minutes. Pat the excess moisture out and avoid washing the hair.
8/24. Lemon Juice
The acidity of lemon juice balances the pH levels of the scalp. Acids in the freshly squeezed lemon juice aids in arresting the growth of the fungi causing dandruff.
1. Juice of half a lemon is mixed in one-quarter cup of plain yogurt; apply this mixture on your hair and scalp. Leave it on for approximately 20 minutes before rinsing and shampooing your hair.
2. Simply massage your scalp with a few teaspoons of lemon juice mixed with a little water. Rinse and shampoo after leaving it on the scalp for 5 minutes.
3. Heat 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and mix equal quantity of lemon juice to it and massage gently on the scalp. Rinse it after 20 minutes. For best results, repeat this 3-4 times per week.
9/24. Yoghurt
The acidic nature of yoghurt helps eradicate dandruff and also offers a shiny and soft texture to the hair.
1. Whisk curd and apply it to your hair and leave it for an hour. Rinse it thoroughly with a mild shampoo.
10/24. Aspirin tablet
Salicylic acid, the active component of aspirin helps in controlling dandruff by exfoliating the scalp. Salicylic acid aids in removing the flakes caused by the fungus because of its anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties. Salicyclic acid is the active component of several anti-dandruff shampoos available in the market.
1. Two tablets of aspirin are crushed into a fine powder and are mixed with shampoo. Massage your scalp with this mixture and wash your hair after a few minutes. To remove the powder completely you can wash your hair again with normal shampoo.
2. Crush three tablets of aspirin and dissolve the powder in one tablespoon of vinegar. Massage your scalp with this mixture and leave it for half an hour and then wash your hair.
11/24. Listerine
The anti-fungal property of Listerine helps in the treatment of dandruff.
1. Mix one part of water with two parts of Listerine. After shampooing, massage your hair with this solution and rinse your hair with water after half an hour.
12/24. Fenugreek Seeds
Fenugreek seeds are high in proteins and amino acids that encourage hair growth and wards off dandruff. The anti-fungal property of fenugreek too, is responsible in controlling dandruff.
1. Two to three tablespoons of fenugreek seeds are soaked in water overnight. In the morning, grind them into a fine paste. This paste is to be applied over the scalp for few hours. Later, rinse and shampoo your hair. Repeat this one to two times in a week.
13/24. Salt
Massage your scalp with some salt and then shampoo your hair.
14/24. Aloe vera
The ingredients of Aloe vera prevents the process of skin proliferation that is, it slows down the pace of cell growth which leads to the production of white flakes. It acts as an exfoliant removing the dead skin cells and also helps in soothing the itching.
1. Massage aloe vera into your scalp for 15 minutes, before you shampoo.
15/24. Garlic
Anti-microbial properties of garlic help in eradicating the bacteria causing dandruff. Other benefits of Garlic…
1. Mix crushed garlic with honey and massage it on the scalp before washing.
16/24. Henna ‘Mehendi’
In certain parts of Asia, Henna is considered as one of the better home remedies for dandruff. Henna decreases the scalp oiliness which reduces dandruff. It is capable of binding to the hair keratin that produces a protective layer and reduces scalp irritation. Henna besides being one of better home remedies for dandruff, also helps to make the hair strong, voluminous and shiny.
1. Mix henna, tea liquor and curd in a glass bowl and add lemon juice to it. Allow it to stand for 8-10 hours and then apply it to the hair. Wash and rinse with a mild shampoo after 1 – 2 hours. Repeat it once a week for best results.
2. Mix a teaspoon of henna, amla powder, tea powder, lemon juice, and hair oil and make a paste. Apply the paste thoroughly to the scalp and leave it on for few minutes and then wash with a mild shampoo.
17/24. Apples
Unripe apples contain Procyanidin B-2 which helps in promoting hair growth and maintaining the health of the hair.
1. Add two tablespoons of apple juice to an equal amount of water and apply the mixture to your scalp. Wash your scalp with shampoo, after 15 minutes. Take care that you do not add too much of water else, the concentration of the juice shall be reduced and you may not get the desired effects.
18/24. Basil Leaves
Basil leaves treats dandruff due to its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal property. It also enhances the scalp strength.
1. Mix a few basil leaves, two teaspoons of amla powder with two teaspoons of water into a smooth paste and apply it on your scalp. Rinse your hair after about half an hour.
19/24. Fuller Earth (Multani Mitti)
The cooling effect of multani mitti offers soothing effect to the scalp, eliminates excess oil and reduces scalp irritation.
1. Take fuller earth, water and add lemon juice to it. Apply this paste on the hair and scalp and rinse it with water after 20 minutes.
20/24. Orange Peel
The acidic property of orange peel aids in eliminating the excess oil thus, controlling dandruff.
1. Grind orange peel and lemon juice and make a paste. Apply this paste to the scalp and leave it for 30 minutes and then, wash it with a shampoo. For effective results, repeat this process 2-3 times a week.
21/24. Soap nuts or Reetha
The anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties of Reetha is considered as one of the sure home remedies for dandruff.
1. 10-15 soap nuts are soaked in water overnight and then in the morning grind them and boil the powder in water and strain it. Add 1 tbsp Amla powder or juice to it and mix thoroughly. Make a paste and apply it on the hair for half an hour and then rinse it.
22/24. Pepper
The anti-fungal property of pepper helps in eradicating dandruff.
1. Take two spoons of black pepper and grind it finely. Mix the powder to one cup of yogurt and apply it to the scalp. Rinse it after an hour. For effective results use fresh yogurt and pepper.
23/24. Sun
The exact link between dandruff and exposure to sunlight is unknown. It has been observed in several cases, that the intensity of dandruff has been reduced when the affected person spends more time in the sun. It may be that the sunlight must have helped in drying up some of the excess oil leading to reduction in dandruff.
1. You can spend approximately 10-15 minutes in the sunlight daily. Limit your exposure to sunlight as too much exposure can be injurious to your hair, skin and health.
24/24. Diet
Consume a healthy and a balanced diet. Eating healthy is vital to your health. To get rid of those troublesome flakes consume green leafy vegetables, fish oils, lean proteins, fish, eggs, nuts, beans, etc. Fish oils helps in reducing and preventing the severity of dandruff while lean proteins helps in reducing the dandruff.
Dandruff might be an irritating and disturbing problem, but remember the next time you face this condition, the solution might be just within your reach, in your home. Reach out, find the home remedies for dandruff that works for you, and eradicate this nagging condition!