Head lice, or Pediculus humanus capitis, are tiny parasites that live on the scalp and feed on human blood. They cause discomfort ranging from itching to sleeplessness, and constant scratching may lead to secondary infection. Conventional treatment include applying insecticides like permethrin and lindane, which are neurotoxins, or malathion, which may be carcinogenic. Lice have become resistant to many of the standard chemical treatments, and researchers are constantly looking for natural products to treat this problem. Herbs may be a natural and safe way to eliminate head lice. It is important to consult a health care professional before starting a herbal treatment.
Neem Seeds
The neem tree, or Azadirachta indica, is a small evergreen native to South and Southeast Asia. The bark, leaves and seeds are used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine to treat wounds and skin infections. Neem seeds contain a bitter principle called azadirachtin, which kills insects by interrupting their ability to eat and disrupting their growth cycle. A study published in the January 2007 issue of Parasitology Research tested a water-free shampoo made from an extract of neem seeds on 60 children with heavy lice infestation. After three trials, lasting three weeks each, the study found that neem seed extract was highly effective against lice and their eggs, and the researchers found no side effects from using this product. The researchers caution that the extract should not be used on wounded or inflamed skin.
Pongam Leaf
The pongam tree, or Pongamia pinnata and Milletia pinnata, is a deciduous tree native to India. Traditional healers use the fruits, leaves and seeds to treat cough, rheumatism, fever, skin diseases, leprosy and asthma. The roots are used to kill fish, and the dried leaves are used as an insecticide. A Malaysian indigenous group known as the Orang Asli reported that it used the leaves to treat head lice, so researchers in Malaysia tested this claim scientifically. In a study published in the December 2009 issue of the Korean Journal of Parasitology, researchers report that a pongam leaf extract had between 50 and 100 percent antilice action and completely inhibited the emergence of lice nymph, or immature adults. If further studies repeat these results, they will show that the ethnomedical use of pongam leaves can be scientifically validated.
Custard Apple
Custard apple, or Annona squamosa, is a small deciduous tree with a pine-cone-shaped fruit that found in warm climates throughout the world. Traditional healers in southeast Asia use the leaves to treat boils and ulcers and expel parasites and the seeds to treat head lice. The seeds and leaves are insecticidal, and the powdered seeds and dried fruit are also made into a poison to kill fish. A study published in the May 2006 issue of the Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health compared different extracts of custard apple seeds against a commercial cream containing gamma benzene hexachloride, commonly prescribed for head lice in Thailand. The extract containing a triglyceride was the most effective and killed all head lice within 11 minutes, while the commercial product required 180 minutes. Further studies will determine if custard apple seeds are safe and effective to be used on humans.
References
- “Parasitology Research”; Efficacy of neem seed extract shampoo on head lice of naturally infected humans in Egypt; Abdel-Ghaffar F, Semmler M; January 2007
- “Korean Journal of Parasitology”; In Vitro Screening of Anti-lice Activity of Pongamia pinnata Leaves; Anbu Jeba Sunilson John Samuel, Suraj Radhamani, Rejitha Gopinath, Anandarajagopal Kalusalingam, Anita Gnana Kumari Anbumani Vimala and Hj Azman Husain; December 2009
- “Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health”; Anti-head lice effect of Annona squamosa seeds; Intaranongpai J, Chavasiri W, Gritsanapan W; May 2006
