"Dandruff - Herbal and Supplemental Remedies
That Can Help"

While many consider specific shampoos as the only way to treat this condition, there are numerous alternatives that may be used instead. On this page, I will discuss several herbal and supplemental remedies that can help.

There can be many causes of dandruff, but a common one is a fungus called pitysporum ovale.

As this fungus grows, it begins to irritate the skin and finally, flakes will appear.

Actually, it has nothing to do with personal hygiene. Having clean hair is desirable, of course, but shampooing your hair won't solve the problem in itself.

Everyone normally sheds skin cells, approximately once every 30 days.

But with dandruff, the shedding is accelerated, occurring every 10 to 15 days, causing the appearance of those characteristic white flakes.

This fungus is known as malassezia, and as it begins to develop, it will irritate your skin, causing more skin cells to grow, which die and fall off. These dead cells will clump together with the oil from your hair appearing as white flakes.

It is not known what causes these fungi to overgrow. Some theories are:

• Having too much oil on your scalp
• Hormonal changes
• Stress
• Infrequent shampooing
• Certain neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease

If you have irritated, oily skin, a condition known as seborrheic dermatitis, you will have a red, greasy scalp, with white or yellow flakes.

Not only does this condition affect your scalp, but it can affect other areas where oil glands are present, such as your eyebrows and the backs of your ears. You may notice flakes underneath your armpits, as strange as it seems.

It can also be caused by psoriasis. Psoriasis causes dead skin cells to accumulate, forming thick, silvery scales. It usually occurs on your elbows, knees and trunk, but it can also occur on your scalp.

Next, you should eliminate all foods containing yeast such as baked goods, cheeses, condiments and alcoholic beverages.

Even with a yeast free diet, it may take up to a month before you see improvements in your condition.

Regarding your lifestyle, the first change you should make is not shampooing your hair with hot water. Use lukewarm water instead, rinsing with cool water.

Next, you should avoid using any alcohol-based styling products, as they tend to dry out the scalp.

You should also avoid scratching the scalp, as this can cause the dandruff flakes to spread.

Also, before bathing, it is important to brush your hair, as brushing your hair will loosen any scales found in your scalp.

Comfrey - An ingredient in comfrey, allanton, has anti-dandruff properties.

Evening primrose oil - Often, in serious cases of this condition, individuals will be lacking in omega 3 fatty acids. One product that contains many essential fatty acids is evening primrose oil.

Ginger - Take one or two tablespoons of ginger juice, mix it with three tablespoons of sesame oil and 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice. Rub this mixture into your scalp three times weekly.

Horsetail - Two minerals that are helpful are silica and zinc. One herb that contains quite a bit of these two minerals is the herb horsetail. Add 10 drops of tincture of horsetail mix with water may be useful.

Jojaba oil - When jojaba oil is applied to the scalp before bedtime, and then washed out of the hair the following morning, this will help to nourish your skin, therefore preventing dandruff.

Licorice - Licorice contains a compound called glycyrrhizin that helps to decrease the amount of oils secreted by the scalp.

Nettle - Juice made from the roots of the nettle plant can be added to water and drunk for this condition. Add 10 drops of nettle juice to 1 cup of water.

Onions - An old folk remedy is to take an onion, cut it in half and rub it into the scalp. It is thought to be effective due to its high sulfur content.

St. John's Wort -As a scalp disinfectant, and to loosen flakes while simultaneously stimulating circulation, apply oils made from St. John's wort and gentian.

Tea tree oil - To open up blocked hair follicles, and 5 to 10 drops of tea tree oil to a mild shampoo or, alternatively, rub a few drops directly into the scalp. Tea tree oil contains substances known as terpenes that help to penetrate and disinfect the scalp.

Vitamins B6, A and E - Also, it can be brought on by a deficiency of certain B vitamins such as vitamin B6. In addition, you can promote a healthier scalp by taking vitamins A and E.

Yarrow - A tea made from yarrow may help also.

In conclusion, many hairdressers feel that dandruff is the most common complaint their customers have.

Furthermore, dermatologists think that almost everyone has it to some extent.

If your condition is mild, home remedies can prove effective. I hope that some of the herbal and supplemental solutions mentioned above can help.