According to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, itchy scalp can be caused by excess oiliness, dandruff and psoriasis, all requiring specific treatments from a dermatologist. Alternately, in “The Herbal Drugstore,” Linda White and Steven Foster assert that it can also result from a fungal infection, which you can treat with herbal remedies. Always consult a physician before attempting to treat any conditions.
Tea Tree Oil
According to Joe and Theresa Graedon in “The People’s Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies,” tea tree oil is an Australian herb used to treat scalp itch due to its anti-fungal properties. They state that many shampoos already come infused with tea tree oil, but if such shampoos are not available, you can add a few drops to baby shampoo for the same benefits. White and Foster affirm in “The Herbal Drugstore” that you can apply tea tree oil directly to your skin but that some may find it irritating. White and Foster suggest diluting tea tree oil with vegetable oil to reduce irritation.
Garlic
White and Foster say in “The Herbal Drugstore” that garlic can effectively kill skin fungi, which reduces fungus-borne scalp itch. Create a topical ointment from garlic by mashing cloves and combining them with olive oil. White and Foster suggest leaving the paste on the skin for at least one hour. You can also create garlic-infused oil that is just as effective by steeping crushed garlic in olive oil for three days, then straining it. Garlic oil lasts up to six months.
Burdock
In “Prescription for Herbal Healing,” Phyllis Balch touts the use of burdock, a five-foot relative of the sunflower, for the use of scalp itching. Specifically, Balch indicates that burdock root oil extract, or bur-oil, can treat dandruff and itchy scalp while burdock seed can treat fungi affecting cracked skin. Balch indicates that although burdock is native to Europe and Asia, it can now be found throughout the United States as well.
References
- International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery: Scalp Conditions and Disorders
- “The Herbal Drugstore: The Best Natural Alternatives to Over-The-Counter and Prescription Medicines”; Linda B. White and Steven Foster; 2000
- “The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies”; Joe Graedon and Teresa Graedon; 2002
- “Prescription for Herbal Healing: An Easy-o-Use A-Z Reference to Hundreds of Common Disorders and Their Herbal Remedies”; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2002
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