Home Remedies for DANDRUFF

DANDRUFF

 

The term dandruff generally refers to the condition of the skin wherein shiny, silvery scales separate from the scalp and collect amidst the hair. The condition can become troublesome when the skin gets infected.

 

The term dandruff includes several different conditions of the scalp. There is scaling in which the entire scalp may be covered with loose dry scales. When the hair is combed or brushed, or when the scalp is scratched, these scales fall like snow on the shoulders. Often there is itching, as well, and the scalp may be red from scratching.

 

If the scalp is covered with greasy scales, wash the hair thoroughly every day, using some good soap or medicated shampoo. Frequent washing will not harm the hair.

 

Itching lesions of the scalp are often due toneurodermatitis especially when it occurs on the back of the head.

 

Keep the hair and scalp clean by frequent shampoo. Clean your comb and brush after each use.

 

Mild dandruff is the result of excessive oiliness of the skin and not due to dryness of the scalp. Chronic dandruff may occur due to psoriasis of the scalp. Dandruff can occur to anybody at any age. It should not be left untreated.

 

The most important point in the treatment of dandruff is to keep the hair and scalp clean so as to decrease the accumulation of dead cells. The hair should be brushed daily to improve the circulation and remove any flakiness. The most effective way to brush the hair is to bend forward from the waist with the head down towards the ground and brush from the nape of the neck towards the top of the head. Massage the scalp daily using one-finger tips and working systematically over the head. This should be done just before or after brushing the hair. Like brushing, this stimulates the circulation, dislodges dirt and dandruff and helps in the hair growth.

 

People should avoid spicy and greasy food because it helps dandruff to increase and spread. People should add more vegetables and fruits on the diet. It is very essential to take fresh foods avoid taking tinned and canned foods add more green vegetables and fruits.

 

Strong tea and coffee, processed foods should be avoided for the dandruff.

Dandruff Symptoms

The scales from the scalp fall

When the hair is combed or brushed, or when the scalp is scratched, the scales from the scalp fall like snowflakes and settle on the eye brows, shoulders, and clothes. These scales sometimes appear as lumps or crusts on the scalp.

Itching is there and scalp may become red

Often there is itching as well and the scalp may become red from scratching.

Dandruff Causes

Impairment of general health, wrong food intake, constipation

The main causes of dandruff are impairment of general health, development of a toxic condition mainly due to taking of wrong foods, constipation, and a low vitality due to infectious diseases.

Emotional tension, harsh shampoos, general exhaustion

Other factors contributing to this disorder are emotional tension, harsh shampoos, exposure to cold, and general exhaustion.

 

Home Remedies for Dandruff

Dandruff treatment using Fenugreek Seeds

The use of fenugreek seeds is one of the most important remedies in the treatment of dandruff. Two tablespoons of these seeds should be soaked overnight in water and ground into a fine paste in the morning. This paste should be applied all over the scalp and left for half an hour. The hair should then be washed thoroughly with soap-nut (ritha) solution or shikakai.

Dandruff treatment using Lime

The use of a teaspoon of fresh lime juice for the last rinse, while washing the hair, is another useful remedy. This not only leaves the hair glowing but also removes stickiness and prevents dandruff.

Dandruff treatment using Green Gram Powder

A valuable prescription for removal of dandruff is the use of green gram powder. The hair should be washed twice a week with two tablespoons of this powder mixed with half a cup of curd.

Dandruff treatment using Beet

Beets have been found useful in dandruff. Both tops and roots should be boiled in water and this water should be massaged into the scalp with the finger tips every night. White beet is better for this purpose.

Dandruff treatment using Snake Gourd

The juice of snake gourd has been found beneficial in the prevention and treatment of dandruff. The juice should be rubbed over the scalp for this purpose.

Dandruff treatment using Other Remedies

Dandruff can be removed by massaging the hair for half an hour with curd which has been kept in the open for three days, or with a few drops of lime juice mixed with amla juice every night, before going to bed. Another measure which helps to counteract dandruff is to dilute cider vinegar with an equal quantity of water and dab this on to the hair with cotton wool inbetween shampooing. Cider vinegar added to the final rinsing water after shampooing also helps to disperse dandruff.

 

·  Prepare a mixture by adding two tablespoons of cosmetic vinegar and six tablespoons of hot water. Apply it all over the scalp, parting the hair with a comb. Preferably it should be used at bedtime. Tie a scarf over the hair to avoid staining the pillow. Next morning wash the hair with shampoo. This should be done twice a week for three months. This is very useful home remedy for dandruff.

·  Massage hot oil into the scalp at bedtime. Next morning an hour before bath, rub lemon juice mixed with cosmetic vinegar (mix 1:2 ratio) into the scalp. Wash the hair with an egg shampoo.

·  A hot steam bath can be an effective remedy. Massage hot oil with a hot damp towel and leave it on the head so that the steam can fight dandruff. Two towels can be used for this purpose.

·  Boil five teaspoons of dried used tealeaves in limewater and use it after shampoo. This gives the hair a lustrous shine and provides nourishment too.

·  Make a solution of 1 ounce each of fresh or dried rosemary and sage in 2 cups of water. Let steep for 24 hours, then use daily as a hair wash. This is also very useful home remedy for dandruff.

·  Boil 5 Tbsp dried thyme in 2 cups water for 10 minutes. Strain and cool. Pour 1/2 mixture over clean, damp hair. Massage into scalp, do not wash. Use second half of solution another day.

·  Massage your hair with warm coconut oil and apply the juice of 2 lemons, steam your hair and leave the oil on for about 2 hours. Wash with a mild shampoo. Repeat 2-3 times a week.

·  For dandruff treatment boil a handful of neem leaves in 4 teacups of water. After cooling and filtering, use for washing hair.

·  Massage baking soda into the hair and scalp to absorb oil and to loosen dead skin on scalp. Wash thoroughly, use no other shampoos. Initially the hair may seem dry, after several weeks, dandruff will be gone and hair will be smooth and shiny.

·  Boil: 1-cup water, 1-cup apple cider vinegar, 1 handful of fresh mint leaves. Strain and pour into a container. With fingertips, massage solution into the scalp, let dry without washing out.

·  For dandruff treatment take 1 part almond oil, 1 part pure sulphur powder, 2 parts 'surgical spirit' and 4 parts distilled water or rose water and mix well. Rub on the scalp.

·  Take 2 cup water, add 4-5 tablespoons dried thyme and boil for 10 minutes. Cool, strain, and use the mixture to massage scalp. Keep for half an hour.

·  Dissolve 2 aspirins in any dandruff shampoo. Leave the mixture on your scalp for two minutes. Rinse and wash properly to remove the aspirin particles completely from the scalp.

·  Make a solution by adding equal parts of dried rosemary, comfrey, witch hazel leaves and nettles to make about 1/2 cup. Add to 2 cups of water in a covered pot. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and let steep overnight. Strain. Shampoo and wash hair then use this again for final wash to relieve itchy, flaky scalp.

·  For dandruff treatment rub a lot of aloe Vera gel into scalp about 10-15 minutes before you wash your hair,. Leave it on for 10 minutes, and shampoo your hair like you regularly do. This will help to get rid of dandruff within a few weeks.

·  Soak 2 tablespoons fenugreek seeds in water overnight. In the morning grind into a fine paste. Apply all over scalp and leave for ½ an hour. Wash with mild shampoo.

·  Prepare a mixture of olive oil with the almond oil. Leave it on about 5 min.s after it starts to burn. Wash well to clear dandruff.

·  Make a solution by mixing 100 g each of amla (Indian goose berry), reetha, and shikakai, and boil in two litre of water until the liquid reduces to half. Use this shampoo for one month. Dandruff will go away and your hair will become thick.

·  Massage the hair for half an hour with curd, which has been kept in the open for three days, or mix a few drops of lime and amla juice every night before going to bed.

·  A useful remedy for removal of dandruff is the use of green gram powder. The hair should be washed twice a week with two tablespoons of this powder mixed with half a cup of curd.

·  Beets have been found useful in dandruff. Both tops and roots should be boiled in water and this water should be massaged into the scalp with the fingertips every night. White beet is better for this purpose.

·  The juice of snake gourd has been found beneficial in the prevention and treatment of dandruff. The juice should be rubbed over the scalp for this purpose.

·  Beat two eggs and add two tablespoons of water to it. Wet the hair and apply the egg mixture over the hair. Now massage your scalp and let the mixture on for ten minutes to fifteen minutes. Then wash the hair with lukewarm water. This helps to prevent hair fall and dandruff.

·  Boil bhangra leaves in sesame oil for 15 minutes. Let it stand for an hour then strain it. Massage this oil in your head. Leave it for an hour then shampoo your hair.

 

Dietaries for Dandruff

All-fruit diet with three meala a day of juicy fruits

Diet plays an important role in the treatment of dandruff. To begin with, the patient should resort to an all-fruit diet for about five days and take three meals a day of juicy fruits.

Avoid citrus fruits, bananas, tinned fruits

Citrus fruits, bananas, dried, stewed, or tinned fruits should not be taken.

Well-balanced diet

After the all-fruit diet, the patient can gradually adopt a well-balanced diet, with emphasis on raw foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables. Further short periods of an all-fruit diet for three days or so may be necessary at monthly intervals till the skin's condition improves.

Avoid strong tea/coffee, pickles, refined and processed foods

Meats, sugar, white flour, strong tea or coffee, condiments, pickles, refined and processed foods should all be avoided.

 

Other Dandruff treatments

Keep hair and scalp clean to avoid accumulation of dead cells

The foremost consideration in the treatment of this disorder is to keep the hair and scalp clean so as to minimise the accumulation of dead cells.

Hair should be brushed daily to improve circulation

The hair should be brushed daily to improve the circulation and remove any flakiness. The most effective way to brush the hair is to bend forward from the waist with the head down towards the ground, and brush from the nape of the neck towards the top of the head. The scalp should also be thoroughly massaged everyday, using one's finger tips and working systematically over the head. This should be done just before or after brushing the hair. Like brushing, this stimulates the circulation, dislodges dirt and dandruff, and encourages hair growth. Exposure of the head to the rays of the sun is also a useful measure in the treatment of dandruff.

Warm-water enema

During the first five days of the treatment when the patient takes an all-fruit diet, a warm-water enema should be taken daily to cleanse the bowels. Simultaneously, an attempt should be made to keep the body in good health.