Stop Dandruff --Top 10 Natural
Remedies That Work
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February 20, 2009, Updated April 11, 2010
By Natalia Real, Contributing Columnist
Dandruff is behind a lot of wardrobe choices. My mother
doesn’t like to wear white because she feels it makes her
look larger. She prefers dark colors. My brother, on the
other hand, prefers light colors—and white shirts most of
all. You can’t see white against white, can you? Too bad he’
s a brunet.
Whether it bothers you enough to dictate the colors you
wear or you move away when someone reaches toward
your head, the culprit is always the same: embarrassing,
flaky, itchy, loyal dandruff. What causs dandruff? Are there
any natural remedies for chronic dandruff?
We've collected the most effective natural remedies for
treating dandruff from research and readers. Here are the
Top 10 10 natural dandruff-fighting remedies.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar . Aple cider vinegar is a
powerful ally against dandruff. If you can stand the
alienating smell, apple cider vinegar can do some neat
tricks. Here are different ways you can try it: (a) as a hair
rinse before getting out of the shower, (b) pour some
apple cider vinegar into a bottle and spray it on your scalp,
leaving it on for 15-60 minutes (the longer the better)
before washing, or (c) if you want to start slowly, try a
50% water, 50% apple cider vinegar mixture and either of
the aforementioned methods. You can find apple cider
vinegar in any supermarket. Results should be visible within
a week.
2. Tea Tree Oil. Tee tree oil is fast becoming a favorite
remedy for fighting dandruff. Some people mix it in with
apple cider vinegar when following the steps outlined
above (about 15 drops per half cup of apple cider vinegar).
Otherwise, pour shampoo into the palm of your hand and
add a few drops of tea tree oil before massaging into your
scalp. Make sure to use essential (read: pure) tea tree oil;
you can find it at health food stores as well as some
drugstores.
3. Biotin. Biotin deficiency can cause dandruff, so stock
up on biotin-rich foods, such as egg yolks, liver, cow’s milk,
and—fear not, vegetarians!—also in soy, barley, brewer’s
yeast, and royal jelly (if you’re not vegan, hit that jelly!). If
you take daily vitamin supplements, check whether you’re
getting enough biotin that way; if you’re not, try taking
simply biotin supplements.
4. Flax. The secret ingredient in fklax seeds that helps
to fight dandruff is omega-3 fatty acid. Flax seeds are
amazing—they have copious amounts of Omega-3 fatty
acids and can decrease skin oil secretions (which can cause
those pesky white flakes). You can get flax at health food
stores in seed and oil form. If you get the seeds, make sure
they’re ground so that your body can better absorb the
nutrients; add them to your cereal, salads, soups, pasta,
dips, you name it. They’re nutty and delicious. You can also
sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of flaxseed oil on salads,
pasta, and so on every day, or get it in capsule form.
5. Aromatherapy. If you’re into aromatherapy, try this
approach: heat 2 cups of water. When the water begins to
boil, toss in 4 tablespoons of dried thyme and wait 10
minutes. Then, remove the treatment from heat, strain, and
allow it to cool before applying it to clean, towel-dried hair.
Leave it on for 60 minutes and rinse with warm water (or
skip the rinsing part).
6. Sulfur. This is remedy for dandruff that has been
around fr generations. Simply buy a bar of sulfur soap
(sometimes sold as an acne treatment) and lather into your
hair in the shower. Proceed normally. Sulfur can cause
excessive dryness, so start out by using it a few times per
week and slowly increase frequency.
7. Cut out saturated fat. Did you know that saturated
oil in your diet encourages dandruff? If the last time you
had fruit for breakfast was back when you couldn’t tie your
own shoelaces, consider eating healthier. Trade that Mc-
Animal-Fat breakfast sandwich for a bowl of whole grain
cereal with fresh strawberries, hot dogs for soy dogs, and
French fries for green beans (they were my raw snack of
choice for months!) or, okay, baked potatoes if you’re
weak. At least try it with the saturated fat-heavy staples in
your diet—just check the nutrition facts at the supermarket
(tip: you’re always better off eating stuff that lacks
nutrition facts, e.g. fresh produce). It really is true that you
are what you eat.
8. Wash daily! I don’t care if you’re in college, washing
your hair freqently will help you control dandruff.
9. Olive oil. Save this treatment for nights when you’re
staying in. Mix 1 tablespoon of olive oil (cold-pressed is
best) and 1 teaspoon of lime juice (fresh-squeezed—you
guessed it—is best). Massage it into your scalp and leave it
in; tie a handkerchief around your head to keep it from
seeping into your pillow. Wash your hair normally in the
morning.
10. Baking soda. This one’s for masochists. Baking
soda is a tried-and-true remedy for dandruff. Pour
shampoo into the palm of your hand and mix in 1 teaspoon
of baking soda before massaging into a damp scalp. Leave
on for 30-90 minutes and rinse. If it doesn’t sting, add
more baking soda. No pain, no gain, baby!
Find out more about natural remedies that improve your
skin and general health: Remove Dark Eye Circles /Olive
Oil-Drink and Live Long / Fish Oil Benefits-Let Me Count
the Ways / Foods That Shrink Your Waist /All About
Healing Foods
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