Tea tree oil is a popular natural remedy for an itchy scalp. Derived from the leaves of the Melaleuca alterrnifolia tree, tea tree oil is an effective natural anti-fungal and antimicrobial. It is used often in skin care preparations, including dandruff shampoos. You can make your own shampoo or add tea tree oil to your current shampoo to help relieve your itchy scalp.
Tea Tree Oil
The Melaleuca tree is actually related to the clove plant and part of the Myrtaceae family of plants. It is native to Australia where the leaves and small branches can be harvested year-round and then distilled to make tea tree oil. Australians have used tea tree oil for decades to treat inflammation and as an antimicrobial agent. It is also a potent anti-fungal that can effectively treat dandruff and the itchy scalp that goes along with it.
Effectiveness
In a study conducted by the Department of Dermatology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camperdown, Australia, it was concluded that using a tea tree oil shampoo to treat dandruff resulted in a 41 percent improvement of symptoms with no side effects. The shampoo used was a 5 percent tea tree oil solution.
Add to Your Shampoo
To treat your itchy scalp, you can add tea tree oil to your current shampoo. Simply add 1 tsp. of tea tree oil to a 32-oz. bottle of shampoo. Adding more tea tree oil does not necessarily make a better shampoo and could result in skin irritation. This shampoo can be used daily to control itchiness and dandruff.
Make Your Own Shampoo
You can also make your own anti-itch shampoo. Renowned herbalist Rosemary Gladstar suggests the following recipe in her book "Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health." Boil 8 oz. of distilled water. Add 1 oz. of your choice of herbs. For dry hair, a good choice is equal parts of calendula flowers, marshmallow root and nettle leaf. Simmer this mixture for 15 minutes. Then strain out the herbs and cool the tea. Slowly add 3 oz. of liquid castile soap, 1/4 tsp. of jojoba oil and 25 drops of pure tea tree oil. Store in a plastic container and be sure to shake well before use.
Scalp Rinse
You can also make a simple rinse to ease an itchy scalp by adding 2 tsp. of tea tree oil to a quart of distilled water. Use this to rinse your scalp and hair after shampooing to fight any fungal infection that is causing your scalp to itch.
Cautions
Tea tree oil should only be used externally unless you are under the advice of your health care professional. Taking tea tree oil internally can be toxic. In rare instances, individuals may have an allergic reaction to tea tree oil, which consists of skin irritation.
References
- Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Tea Tree Oil
- "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatologists"; Treatment of Dandruff with 5 Percent Tea Tree Oil Shampoo; A.C. Satchell, et al.; December 2002
- MayoClinic.com: Tea Tree Oil
- MayoClinic.com: Dandruff Alternative Treatments
- "Clinical Microbiology Reviews"; Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil: A Review of Antimicrobial and Other Medicinal Properties; C.F. Carson, et al.; January 2006
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