Dandruff can be the result of numerous factors affecting the condition of your scalp. The type of shampoo or hair products you use, the food you eat, and dry, arid weather conditions can all cause your scalp to develop a dandruff problem. There are numerous natural remedies that you can use to fight dandruff, but if the condition persists or worsens, speak to your health care provider.
Olive Oil
Olive oil has a moisturizing effect on your skin and scalp. According to the American Chronicle website, olive oil contains soothing vitamin E and healing antioxidants to help moisturize, restore and protect the health of your scalp and hair. The website recommends you apply ¼ cup of high-quality, pure extra virgin olive oil to your hair, leaving it on for approximately 15 minutes. Rinse out the olive oil using your regular shampoo and conditioner.
Nizoral
Nizoral A-D is a dandruff-fighting shampoo that contains antifungal ingredients to combat P. Ovale, the fungi that are sometimes responsible for causing excess flaking of scalp cells, states the Nizoral website. Nizoral contains the trademarked ingredient ketoconazole. This ingredient attaches to the proteins in your hair to keep the product working continuously between shampoos. You only need to use Nizoral A-D twice a week. The manufacturer claims that the shampoo is gentle enough to use on color-treated and chemically processed hair.
Herbs
There are a variety of herbal extracts that fight dandruff. Sage, rosemary, thyme, garlic and walnut are the most potent options, according to the Hair Dressing website. An extract of sage, or a combination of sage and rosemary, can be massaged into the scalp. Thyme can be combined with oil and also massaged into the hair to alleviate dandruff as well as encourage hair growth. Garlic is a powerful antifungal and antibacterial compound, and should be combined with a lotion and then applied to the scalp. Using garlic alone may cause blistering due to its strong potency. The leaves of a walnut tree or bark of a black walnut tree are common ingredients used in a variety of dandruff fighting medications, notes Hair Dressing.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil also contains antifungal compounds, making it an effective solution to improve the condition of your scalp. According to Renee Loux, author of "Easy Green Living," you can add a few drops of tea tree oil to a shampoo that does not contain the ingredients sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS, or sodium laureth sulfate, or SLES, as these chemicals can cause scalp irritation.
