Dandruff is a very common skin conditions. Dry scalp and itchy white flakes can be quite embarrassing especially when wearing a black shirt… If you want to get rid of dandruff for good, an anti-dandruff shampoo is usually not enough. Here are natural solutions to help you deal with your scalp problem.
What are the main causes of dandruff?
- Poor circulation or not enough brushing of the hair
- Use of drying shampoos
- Irregular production of sebum (oily substance secreted by the glands)
- Imbalance of essential fatty acids in the body
- Fungal infection
- Dandruff is also sometimes a sign of psoriasis, seborrhea, or cradle cap, a very common problem in babies
What kind of foods is dandruff healing?
- Eat a diet rich in vitamins B6.
- Avoid the most common allergens which provoke dandruff for some people: chocolate, nuts and shellfish. Try to avoid these foods for 2 weeks and reincorporate them in your diet to see which food would eventually be the culprit.
- Avoid refined carbohydrates, especially white sugar or flower because they can deplete your body of B vitamins.
- Avoid animal and trans fats. Eat foods containing omega instead.
In case of fungal infection, you should follow an anti-candida diet. However, ask your practitioner first and do some test to know if you suffer from a yeast infection.
Which supplements can help to get rid of dandruff?
- Essential fatty acids
- Vitamin B complex (especially vitamin B6)
- Vitamin A and E
- Silica
What about herbal remedies?
- Horsetail tea because it contains silica and zinc
- Nettle root juice applied externally on scalp
What are the most common essential oils used for dandruff?
- Rosemary essential oil is one of the best oil for dry scalp. It is very stimulating and has astringent and antiseptic properties. You could add a few drops to your shampoo or massage your scalp with jojoba oil with a few drops of rosemary before washing your hair.
- Tea tree, lavender, and neem are also good essential oils to get rid of dandruff.
Are there any homeopathic remedies?
- Arsenicum
- Graphites
- Sepia
- Sulphur
Because homeopathy is specific for every person, you should ask a homeopath for the most appropriate treatment.
Other advice…
- Don’t scratch your scalp
- Use natural shampoos and avoid harsh shampoos especially if you wash your hair daily
- Hair-dryers can dry out your scalp. However, bacteria love humid environment so dry your hair if the cause of dandruff is fungal.
References
- Andrew Gaeddert, healing Skin Disorders, North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, California, 2003
- Louise Tenney, M.H., Today’s Herbal health, 6th edition, USA, 2007
- Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch, Prescription for nutritional healing, United States of America, 2000
- Siegfried Gursche, Encyclopedia of natural healing, Canada, 1997
- Thomas Bartram, Bartram’s encyclopedia of herbal medicine, The definitive guide to the herbal treatment of diseases, Grace Publishers, UK, 1995
- Disclaimer
J. Beck
DISCLAIMER
The information provided on Optiderma.com is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified practitioner.
If you are allergic to the foods, herbs, essential oils, any remedies listed here, you must of course avoid them. For example, consuming food that you’re sensitive to will only cause more (not reduce!) inflammation.
Please consult a practitioner (such as Naturopath, Homeopath, Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Dermatologist, ...) to follow the most appropriate treatment to heal your skin. All legal mentions »
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