How to treat dandruff, naturally
Dandruff, like halitosis is one of those social awkward things that we all want to get rid off as soon as we can!! Regular dandruff shampoos sold at pharmacies can contain some pretty nasty toxins, but this condition is actually very easy to treat naturally.
What is dandruff?
Aussie naturopath Mim Beim says in her Natural Remedies book, “dandruff is a fungal condition where the skin of the scalp sheds white scales.”
It can be caused by overused of hair products, hormonal imbalance, stress, a diet low in fatty acids, poor circulation and/or genetics.
How do you treat it?
This is the method we have always used for dandruff or itchy scalp – it works so well and it’s good to see that it’s recommended by Mim Beim as well.
Mix around 2 tablespoons of warmed coconut oil with 5 drops of tea tree oil. Apply to hair, massaging it well right into the scalp. Leave for at least an hour (or overnight if you can) and then shampoo out thoroughly. You may need to shampoo twice with hot water to get all the coconut oil out.
You may need to repeat this a few times over a few weeks if the condition is really bad. Coconut oil and tea tree oil both have powerful anti-fungal properties. We always make sure we have both in the house as part of our natural first aid kit!
What else can you do?
As well as treating the fungal infection with the coconut oil and tea tree, Mim also suggests drinking more water, cutting back on sugar and yeast (severe issues may involve a candida diet – see your health practitioner) and increasing good fats and oils.
You should also avoid chemicals and hair products that irritate the scalp. If you want to follow up with a natural shampoo and conditioner specifically for dandruff, try Aussie brand, Daily Naturals.
Have you tried this natural remedy? Would you give it a go?
