Dandruff: natural remedies to combat it

The dandruff is a skin condition characterized by small white or yellowish flakes that can see both the scalp and hair. Other consequences of dandruff are weak and brittle hair, itching, redness and irritation of the skin of the scalp.

If you are interested in home remedies (making creams, medicinal plant oils, masks, deodorants, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.) here you can see more

Causes of the appearance of dandruff

• Stress : long periods of sustained stress, fatigue and emotional and mental fatigue can lead to the appearance of dandruff.

• The Pityrosporum fungus : it can also be the cause of dandruff. It is a fungus that is found on the scalp, but if it is in large numbers, it can cause dermatitis on the scalp.

• Hormonal alterations

• Oily scalp : it occurs because the sebaceous glands are too active and produce more oil than normal, leaving a greasy scalp and hair, even if they are washed daily.

• Low defenses due to a weakened immune system.

• Dry scalp : the sebaceous glands do not produce enough oil and causes dryness and flaking of the skin on the scalp.

• Shampoos, hair sprays, dyes, gummies and other cosmetic and beauty products can cause dandruff.

• Poor diet with nutritional deficiencies, a very common one is the lack of zinc.

Natural remedies for dandruff

1.- Rosemary tonic : a natural remedy to combat dandruff is to make an infusion with 200 ml of water and 2 tablespoons of rosemary (it can be fresh or dry). We leave it overnight. In the morning we strain and when we are going to use it we dilute it in 1 liter of water. You can use it twice and keep it in the fridge or refrigerator for 5 days. Take it out of the fridge for a while before you go to use it. To use this rosemary rinse to remove dandruff, you just have to gradually pour it on your freshly washed and rinsed hair. You massage the scalp and let it dry. No need to clarify afterwards.

2.- Nettle tonic : it is made exactly the same as rosemary tonic, but instead we use nettle (fresh or dried). Use it as many times as you wash your hair.

3.- Eucalyptus Essential Oil : eucalyptus helps fight the fungus that causes dandruff, so adding it to the natural shampoo you use will be very useful to eliminate dandruff. Leave it on for an hour and then wash your hair with your natural shampoo.

4.- Thyme Tonic : in addition to being able to use rosemary and nettle, we can make an herbal tonic with thyme following the same steps above. It is very useful to combat dandruff

5.- Tea Tree Essential Oil : Dilute 10 drops of this essential oil in a tablespoon of jojoba oil and massage the scalp. Leave it for an hour and then wash your hair with your natural shampoo

6.- Baking soda: dilute a tablespoon of bicarbonate in 250 ml of water. Apply to the scalp once a week. This will help regulate the sebaceous glands.

7.- Comfrey Tonic : a medicinal plant with many benefits to improve the general condition of the scalp. Make the tonic as in point 1.

8.- Apple cider vinegar : it also has fungicidal properties and will help us fight dandruff. Dilute 100 ml of apple cider vinegar with another 100 ml of water and massage this mixture on the scalp using circular movements. Leave it on for 1 hour and then wash your hair with your natural shampoo.

9.- Essential Oil of Salvia : you only have to dilute 7 drops of this oil in 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil and rub the scalp for 3 or 4 minutes. After an hour wash your hair with your natural shampoo.

10.- Laurel Tonic : laurel is very beneficial for regenerating the skin of the scalp and favors its balance, regulating both those that tend to be oily and those that tend to be drier. Follow the instructions in point 1 to make it.

11.- Lavender Essential Oil : besides being very beneficial to help us rest, reduce anxiety and stress, it will also help us balance the scalp and fight dandruff. Dilute 10 drops of this oil in 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil and massage into the scalp. After an hour wash the hair with your natural shampoo.

12.- Elderberry Tonic : Another natural and home remedy that we can use to combat dandruff are elderberry flowers, which vitalize the scalp and favor its balance

13.- Mint Essential Oil : dilute 7 drops of this oil in 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil and rub the scalp for 3 or 4 minutes to remove excess oil without damaging the scalp. When an hour has passed, wash your hair with your natural shampoo.

14.- Coconut oil : it is very beneficial for its antibacterial and fungicidal properties. Apply it by giving a circular massage on the scalp for 3 or 4 minutes and after half an hour you can wash your hair with the natural shampoo.

Natural homemade dandruff shampoo

In order not to attack the scalp with hundreds of synthetic chemicals such as those found in most commercial shampoos, we are going to learn how to make our own natural shampoo in a simple way that is gentle with our scalp and hair, but at the same time at the same time fight and eliminate dandruff.

Ingredients to make the shampoo:

• Choose one or two of these medicinal plants: rosemary, sage, eucalyptus, rosemary, elderberry, peppermint, comfrey, calendula, thyme, or nettle
• To make the soap base you can use: saponaria root , washing nuts or grated homemade soap .

Elaboration:

Put 500 ml of water in a saucepan and when it starts to boil add 15 g of saponaria root (or 2 washed nuts) and 3 tablespoons of the plant you have chosen (if you want to combine 2 plants you will have to add 1 tablespoon and a half of each plant). Turn off the heat, cover the saucepan and let it rest for 1 hour. Strain and store in a preferably opaque glass jar (that way it lasts longer). This shampoo lasts for a month.

You can also use grated natural soap instead of soap and washing nuts. Simply grate two tablespoons of soap and pour them into the bottle where you are going to keep the shampoo, then add the infusion that you have made with the medicinal herbs once strained.