The best home remedies for treating dandruff

Thursday, August 29, 2013 by: Michael Ravensthorpe
Tags: home remedies, dandruff treatments, hair care

(NaturalNews) Dandruff is a dermatological condition whereby dead skin cells shed from the scalp. While everyone suffers from flaking from time to time, dandruff can become so prevalent and irritable for some people that it can often affect their social lives and personal well-being. This leads many people to seek external treatment.

While modern medicine does provide several treatments for dandruff, often in shampoo form, these treatments are almost always comprised of unpronounceable and unnatural ingredients that often include numerous side effects. Fortunately, many natural (and inexpensive) treatments for dandruff also exist and often work far better than their allopathic counterparts. Below is a list of the best of them.

Natural remedies for dandruff

Black pepper - Black pepper has long been used in India to treat dandruff due to the combination of zinc and selenium found in it, which are effective at fighting dandruff flakes. Rather than solely applying black pepper to the scalp, mix two teaspoons with a cup of yogurt and stir. Next, rub the blend into the affected area of your scalp and leave in for an hour or two. Following this, wash it out with a mild shampoo. This also acts as a great natural conditioner.

Raw egg - Although many of us won't like the idea of applying raw eggs to your scalp, it is an effective treatment against dandruff that has been used for centuries by Indian, Chinese and Japanese cultures. Simply beat two eggs and apply it to your scalp for one hour. Following this, cleanse your hair and scalp with a mild shampoo. As with the black pepper and yogurt, this is also an effective natural conditioner.

Lemon juice with sandalwood or garlic - Another effective remedy for dandruff is lemon juice mixed with either sandalwood or garlic (both of which have antimicrobial properties). Mix one part lemon juice to two parts garlic or sandalwood and apply as a paste to the affected area of your scalp. The lemon juice will serve as an effective remedy against existing flakes, while the garlic or sandalwood will prevent against bacteria that can aid in flake growth. Leave this treatment in for 20 to 30 minutes and then rinse with a mild shampoo.

Apple cider vinegar - Apple cider vinegar is one of those home remedies that are used for many ailments, including dandruff. Due to its high potassium content, it is an effective cure against the dry and itchy scalp associated with dandruff. It also aids in getting rid of the dead skin cells already located on your scalp. Simply apply the apple cider vinegar to your scalp and massage for five minutes. Next, rinse your hair with water and, if you wish, a mild shampoo.

Olive oil - Olive oil is perhaps the best home remedy for dandruff due to its natural moisturizing and clarifying properties. In order to utilize olive oil against dandruff, slightly heat it to a lukewarm temperature and massage into the affected area of your scalp. Leave the olive oil in overnight and rinse it out with a mild shampoo in the morning.

Neem - Neem is a tree that contains effective anti-fungal properties. Neem leaves or neem oil can be applied to the scalp as an effective treatment for not only dandruff but also lice and other scalp infections. Apply neem to the affected areas of your scalp and rinse an hour or two later.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.ihomeremedy.net

http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com

http://www.thedailygreen.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

About the author:
Michael Ravensthorpe is an independent writer whose research interests include nutrition, alternative medicine, and bushcraft. He is the creator of the website, Spiritfoods, through which he promotes the world's healthiest foods.