Picture this, you finally got that date with the fine lad or lady that you believe was destined to be your twin flame. Fashion Nova doesn’t disappoint as their jet black sequence little black dress seems perfect for the occasion. You get all dolled up and head out for your date and everything seems to be going quite perfectly until you get a sudden itch on your scalp. You scratch, no biggie right? Your date gently brushes the white flakes off your shoulder and proceeds to order your favorite bottle to play it off. Dandruff! And a cringe-worthy moment!

Dandruff is an embarrassing problem that knows no race, age, or gender. Not only does it affect the scalp, but also ears, eyebrows, beards, sides of the nose, and any area with hair follicles. It is known as cradle cap in infants and druff in teens. Some people may be more prone to dandruff while others experience occasional flair-ups. It typically looks like dry flaky skin on the scalp and can sometimes be accompanied by pink or red inflamed skin. Today, we’ll explore the causes and the six simple Ayurveda cures for dandruff.

What Causes Dandruff?

Dandruff is a scalp condition that is caused by a fungus that feeds on the sebum and dead skin cells (this is normal as your skin needs to shed to make room for the new layer of skin forming) on your scalp. The fungus feeds on the sebum breaking it down into fatty acids which easily irritates a sensitive scalp. This contributes to dryness and itchiness on the scalp which then leads to dead skin accumulating into a cascade of visible flakes. The fungus thrives in moist environments and can become quite a nuisance during summer due to excessive sweating and humidity. Winter also greatly plays a role when it comes to worsening your dandruff as the cold wind robs the scalp of moisture leading to dryness hence, itching and flaking. Other factors that may trigger or worsen dandruff include:

Oily scalp
Poor hygiene
Oily skin
Infrequent washing or shampooing
Chronic illness
Poor immune system
Emotional and mental stress

Ayurveda has got your back as it offers several home remedies which are proven to be highly effective in treating dandruff.

Simple Ayurveda Cures for Dandruff

1. Neem Leaves and Lemon

Neem plays a huge role in most skin medications due to its antifungal and antibacterial qualities. Dandruff is mainly caused by fungal colonization of the scalp. Lemon is a key ingredient in most hair care remedies and is believed to be a real dandruff killer. Make a paste of neem leaves and mix with the juice of half a lemon. Apply this mixture to your scalp and leave it on for 30 minutes to an hour before shampooing off. Use this paste twice a week. You can alternatively boil the neem leaves and use the water with half a lemon squeezed in. Spray on your scalp and leave on for 30 minutes then shampoo as you normally would. Avoid concentrated neem extracts as this may irritate the skin further.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar (With the Mother)

Apple cider vinegar is known for its amazing health benefits such as safe weight loss and improving insulin sensitivity. The benefits do not end there as it is also said to balance the pH of the skin. This, in turn, reduces the growth of the fungus and prevents future growth thus fighting dandruff. It also helps stimulate the shedding of dead skin cells on the scalp making it a good natural remedy when it comes to getting rid of dandruff. Add a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (depending on how much shampoo you use) to your shampoo or dilute the apple cider vinegar (two parts water and one part ACV) then add an essential oil such as tea tree. Spray directly onto your hair and scalp.

3. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil was historically used to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis and acne. It has powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. The oil effectively fights fungus, especially the specific strain which causes dandruff and dermatitis. It is known to reduce itchiness and greasiness improving the severity and symptoms of dandruff. Tea tree oil may, however, irritate those with a sensitive scalp. You are therefore advised to mix it with a carrier oil such as coconut oil before directly applying on your clean shampooed scalp.

4. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera on the skin is known to treat conditions such as burns, cold sore,s and psoriasis. It has proved to be beneficial in treating dandruff due to its antifungal and antibacterial properties. Also, test-tube studies have shown it helps control fungal infections that cause hair loss. It helps calm an irritated scalp while providing relief from inflammation. It is best if you extract the gel from the plant and apply to your scalp. Leave it on for about 15 minutes then wash off with a mild shampoo.

5. Baking Soda

Baking soda acts as a great scrub that exfoliates the scalp without irritating it. It gently removes the dead skin cells ensuring there is no buildup of flakes that make dandruff quite visible. It also has antifungal properties which help reduce itching and redness while soothing your scalp. To use it, add a few teaspoons to your shampoo while washing.

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6. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is known to improve skin hydration. This, in turn, prevents dryness which is a major factor that contributes to worsening dandruff. The potential antimicrobial properties are what help improve skin hydration. I like to mix a small amount of camphor in coconut oil and apply at night before going to bed. You can also mix the coconut oil with the juice from a lemon. Apply on your scalp and leave on for about an hour then shampoo.

What Ayurveda cures for dandruff have you tried? Share in the comments below.

About the Author

Abigail Mbithe

Abigail is a 20-something wild child who still believes in unicorns, fairy tales, and everything beautiful. When she’s not trying to invent a new hairstyle or fighting acne, and keeping her skin ageless, she’s either sipping on something or hanging out with her tribe.