Natural Cures For Dandruff

Whether you slip into that sleek, black dress or throw on a dark-colored sweater, one distraction that really puts a damper on a sharp-looking wardrobe is irritating dandruff. These flecks of dry, white matter are a real turnoff to those who spot these intruders resting upon your shoulders. Many individuals also equate dandruff with uncleanliness and the condition is acknowledged for possessing a real reputation for causing embarrassment.

Causes and Symptoms

According to the Ontario government, while a form of eczema causes some dandruff (promoting increased amounts of normal skin cells on the scalp to shed), there is actually a deeper explanation for some. A yeast-like fungus called malassezia is now thought to be responsible for numerous cases of flaky skin cells. This type of fungus usually resides on the scalps of most people without bringing about such problems.

But just like any other fungus, malassezia may get a little out of control, causing rapid cell production to bump older coatings of skin from the outer layer in the form of flakes. Doctors are unsure why only some people are more susceptible to this process than others. Increased oil production is one theory, while stress and hair products may contribute to oily scalp buildup.

Besides dealing with the white flakes of dead skin in your hair and shoulders, your head will itch and your scalp will appear scaly. Individuals may also experience either an excessively oily or dry scalp during bouts of dandruff.

Natural Cures

To treat dandruff, it is quite common to turn towards both over-the counter and prescription treatments, but sometimes these options can cause skin irritation and chemical reactions. At times, even Head and Shoulders shampoo doesn’t do the trick, prompting many to find alternate solutions for their scalp problem. An effective approach often includes natural remedies that come from a wide-range of plants, often utilizing parts, such as the root, essential oil, and bark.

a) Rosemary and Nettle:

Rosemary is a stimulating herb that warms the body and makes an effective traditional hair rinse. Individuals may create one of the most effective dandruff shampoos when combining (25 grams of fresh rosemary leaves; 10 grams of fresh, stinging nettle root; 5 drops of tea tree oil; 20 grams of soft soap; and 100 ml of denatured alcohol).

All of the ingredients should be placed within a 500 ml jar. Next, add 350 ml of water and shake well. For a period of two weeks, the shampoo should be left to steep, shaking on a regular basis. After two weeks has finished, the mixture should be strained into a clean bottle.

b) Soap Bark:

The inner bark of this particular herbal option acts as a cleanser and anti-inflammatory. To create a shampoo to combat dandruff, one should mix two cups (500 ml) of a soap bark decoction with 200 grams of soft soap. It is important to remember that this mixture is only for external use and not for internal consumption.

c) Fenugreek Seeds:

When taking two tablespoons of fenugreek seeds and soaking them overnight in water, you can ground them into a fine paste by the morning. The paste should be applied to the scalp and left to work its magic for an hour. Afterwards, you should wash your hair with a soap-nut (ritha) solution or shikakai.

d) Lime:

After washing your hair, you may create a natural cure for dandruff by rinsing your hair with a teaspoon of fresh lime juice. This remedy also helps to control dandruff, promote glowing hair, as well as remove stickiness.

e) Beet:

Some individuals have found reasonable results when boiling the tops and roots of beets in water. While you may think that the beet itself is used on the hair, it is actually the concentrated beet water that should be massaged into the scalp with the fingertips. This process should be repeated each night. When choosing beets, it is the white variety that provides better results.