How to get rid of dandruff naturally

Dandruff is a common scalp disorder affecting almost half of the population at the post-pubertal age and of any sex and ethnicity. It often causes itching. The severity of dandruff may fluctuate with season as it often worsens in winter. Skip the dandruff shampoo and try these natural remedies to cure your dandruff at home. Some say its a skin degeneration some say its caused by a fungus, so whats the real root cause? wikipedia says:

Dandruff is the shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp. Some people, experience an unusually large amount of flaking either chronically or as a result of certain triggers, which can also be accompanied by redness and irritation.

Cause of dandruff

Dandruff results in itching and flaking of the scalp, Occasionally, it can also affect the ears, eyebrows, and forehead. Though the exact reason is unknown, the primary cause of dandruff is thought to be a yeast called Pityrosporum ovale. Over activity of oil glands is another possible cause.

Black Pepper and Olive Oil Massage

Add 1 teaspoon of black pepper (powdered) to 3 teaspoons of Olive Oil and massage on your scalp, leave it for 1 hour and then shampoo. In most of the cases the dandruff will be gone overnight. Repeat for three nights if you still experience the symptoms.

Black pepper with turmeric

If you have severe dandruff with very strong itching that is causing redness and rashes on the scalp, try adding a pinch of Turmeric powder to the mix and then apply gently on the scalp.

 Black pepper contains the dandruff fighting minerals zinc and selenium. In Indian traditional Ayurveda, powdered black pepper has been used to treat dandruff. Some research shows compounds in turmeric to have anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties (source: wikipedia.org)

Eucalyptus rinse

 helps fight infection due to dandruff. To make a rinse, put 4 teaspoons of dried leaves in half a liter boiling water and stir. Remove from heat, cover and leave for an hour. Strain the liquid and add to it 1 tablespoon of apple-cider vinegar. After taking a shower, pour the rinse very slowly over the hair,but do not rinse it out, just let it dry.

Sandalwood and Lemon

Apply an emulsion prepared with the oil of sandalwood and lemon juice to your head. Leave it on for one hours and then shampoo your hair. This has proven to be very effective dandruff remedy.

Lemon Juice

If  itchy, scaly dandruff has you scratching your head, relief may be no farther away than your refrigerator. Just massage 2 tablespoons lemon juice into your scalp and rinse with water. Then stir 1 teaspoon lemon juice into 1 cup water and rinse your hair with it. Repeat this daily until your dandruff disappears. No more itchy scalp, and your hair will smell lemon-fresh.

Henna leaves to fight dandruff

Like many other plant products, the therapeutic value of henna has been put to use in the treatment of beauty problems associated with hair, like dandruff and hair loss. Not only does it promote the growth of hair, it also ensures healthy restoration of the scalp’s acid mantle. This makes it an effective anti-dandruff agent.

In fact, the miraculous results achieved with henna  have led to the formulation of specialized products containing henna. like shampoos and conditioning powders. The henna powder is in fact, a complete hair food treatment for making the hair healthy and lustrous. It also acts as a preventive measure against hair loss, scalp disorders and graying.

Indian Lilac and Camphor

Application of Indian Lilac (Indian name: neem) oil and camphor is effective, followed by washing the hair

Gooseberry

25 mg of dry Gooseberry (Indian name: amla) soaked in 1 liter of water over night, boiled in morning till half is left. add 25 mg of yogurt and apply to head. Wash after one hour with Gooseberry water and then with fresh water.

Indian Lilac Decoction

A decoction of bark of Indian Lilac is also among effective dandruff remedies.

A Decoction is a method of extraction, by boiling, of dissolved chemicals, or herbal or plant material, which may include stems, roots, bark and rhizomes. Decoction involves first mashing, and then boiling in water to extract oils, volatile organic compounds, and other chemical substances

Coconut Oil and Lemon Juice

Coconut oil mix with lemon juice can be applied to the head. Keep it on for 1-2 hours. Wash with shampoo.

Aromatherapy helps to eliminate dandruff

Collect the following ingredients:

unscented mild shampoo 2 tablespoons

Tea tree oil 10 drops

Cedar wood oil 8 drops

Pine oil 6 drops

Rosemary oil 6 drops

Clary sage oil 4 drops

Lemon oil 4 drops

Mix the above ingredients. These essential oils help the body’s system to heal the problem that causes dandruff. The tree oil is an antiseptic helping to normalize the bacteria on the scalp. Rosemary and cedar wood oil increases blood circulation in the scalp. Pine oil encourages elimination of toxins from the skin of the scalp. Clary sage helps regulate and balance the oil production and lemon encourages elimination of toxins and promotes internal cleansing. Use shampoo several times a week.

Sesame oil massage

Dandruff is a symptom of a body-wide condition of dryness, Massaging the scalp twice a week with warm sesame oil combats the excessive dryness . It is also very calming and soothing to the system, which is important, since dandruff is often caused by anxiety. Massage the oil into your scalp before sleep for about ten minutes. Then wrap your head with a hot towel and steam the face for ten minutes. Wash the hair next morning.

Vitamin E

Dandruff self help guidelines

• Identify and avoid potential allergenic foods.
• Limit intake of milk and other dairy products, sea foods and fatty foods.
• Reduce or eliminate animal proteins and eat whole grains, fresh vegetables, beans, and fruits.
• Avoid excess salt.
• Reduce tomatoes, citrus fruits and such acidic foods, and certain spices
• Reduce your sugar intake. Diabetes can also cause dandruff. If you have diabetes, high sugar levels result in the dehydration of tissues as the body flushes out fluids in an attempt to rid itself of the sugar.
• Reduce or, if possible, eliminate all foods containing yeast, such as bread and baked foods, cheese, fermented foods, wine and alcoholic beverages.
• Personal hygiene and cleanliness is important
• Shampoo the hair once or twice a week. Try lukewarm showers and rinse with cold water.