Everyone has dandruff, says Dr. Robert Molino of San Francisco State University. Dandruff is caused by the process of your scalp skin renewing itself every 28 days. Shampooing your hair regularly removes the skin you are shedding, but sometimes the renewal process speeds up. Your skin sheds faster than you can remove it, and the result is the dry flaking typical of dandruff. Often, dandruff can be caused by yeast, a fungus called Pityrosporum ovale. You can control dandruff with medicated shampoos, but natural remedies are available also and may work as well. Consult your health care provider for more serious scalp conditions like seborrhea and psoriasis.
Rosemary
For an herbal dandruff remedy, rosemary is the herb of choice, according to Dr. C. Norman Shealy, author of "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbal Remedies." You can take it internally by drinking rosemary tea, or you can apply rosemary directly to your scalp. For dry hair, rub rosemary-infused oil into your scalp before washing. For greasy hair, apply rosemary vinegar to your hair 20 minutes before washing. To make the rosemary vinegar, steep an ounce of rosemary in two pints of cider vinegar for two weeks.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is an emollient, a substance that softens and moisturizes. Rubbing olive oil into your scalp will moisturize it and reduce the itching caused by dandruff. Columbia University Health Services suggests massaging olive oil into your scalp and covering your hair with plastic wrap and a couple of wet towels for 20 minutes. Wash your hair twice to remove the olive oil. For therapeutic purposes, use only cold-pressed olive oil.
Essential Oil Treatment
Cedarwood's antiseptic, anti-seborrheic, and mild astringent properties make it a good choice for treating dandruff, according to "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbal Remedies." To make an essential oil leave-in dandruff treatment, combine 6 drops each of cedarwood and rosemary and 4 drops of cypress oil in 1-1/2 oz. of olive oil. Massage the oil mixture into your scalp and cover your head, leaving it overnight if you can. Wash thoroughly with shampoo in the morning.
Vinegar
White vinegar and water can also treat dandruff, says pharmacologist Joe Graedon, author of "The People's Pharmacy" newspaper column. He suggests using one part vinegar to three parts water and rinsing your hair with the solution for several minutes. Similarly, Columbia University Health Services suggests 2 to 3 tbsps. of vinegar in one cup of warm water to treat an itchy, flaky scalp, as well as to bring out highlights and make your hair shine. Don't worry, it won't take long for the vinegary smell to dissipate.
References
- San Francisco State University: Common Skin Conditions: Dandruff
- "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbal Remedies"; C. Norman Shealy, M.D., Ph.D.; 2002
- Columbia University Health Services: Go Ask Alice: Itchy, Dry Scalp
- Granny Med: Videos: How to Cure Dandruff
