How to Treat Dandruff With Essential Oils

Dandruff can be effectively treated with essential oils. While commercial anti-dandruff shampoos work, they are not a guaranteed treatment to the problem. Moreover, wanting to avoid the cocktail of chemicals in these shampoos, many people look for natural solutions to treat dandruff. Tea tree, peppermint and rosemary oils are some of the most popular anti-dandruff essential oils. Blended together in a base oil, the trio makes a potent and super-effective treatment for mild to moderate dandruff. Learn more about how to make this blend, and use it to treat dandruff here.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tea tree oil
• Peppermint essential oil
• Rosemary essential oil
• Lavender essential oil
• Jojoba oil

1. 
   Peppermint essential oil

   Mix two drops each of tea tree, peppermint, and rosemary essential oils in a capful of jojoba oil to make an anti-dandruff treatment. Tea tree oil has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, peppermint oil soothes itchiness, and rosemary essential oil invigorates and promotes hair growth. Jojoba oil resembles sebum in the skin and scalp and makes a perfect base oil because of its high absorption rate.

2. Pour the treatment oil into a cup and massage into scalp using fingertips. Continue to massage the scalp for five minutes, and let the treatment get thoroughly absorbed. Massaging can help reduce dandruff by encouraging circulation in the scalp.

3. Leave the treatment on scalp overnight and wash it in the morning using a gentle shampoo. Avoid using a conditioner. The essential oil treatment not only treats dandruff, but also acts as a natural conditioner.

4. 
   Rosemary essential oil

   Add a few drops of tea tree and rosemary essential oils and to a shampoo to cleanse the scalp thoroughly and add a boost to the anti-dandruff essential oil treatment.

5. Dry hair thoroughly and massage a couple of drops of lavender and rosemary essential oils into the scalp and brush hair.

6. Repeat the treatment two to three times a week until the scalp is free of dandruff.

7. Consult a health care professional if dandruff does not respond to this treatment. Severe dandruff may have to be treated with stronger shampoos and medications.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a gentle shampoo that does not contain SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate).
• Be consistent with the treatments.
• Eliminate rosemary essential oil from the treatment if you suffer from high blood pressure.
• Store leftover treatment in a dark bottle.
• Discontinue if irritation occurs. Essential oils can trigger allergic reactions in some people!
• Consult a doctor before using this treatment during pregnancy.

Resources

• New choices in naturally healing dandruff
• Essential oils for hair care
• Free images for blogs and articles

[Arathi]

on 7/22/2009 Thanks for your comment, MommyTeach. Like I mentioned in my introduction, even though commercial shampoos work for many people, they are made with chemicals that may be dangerous. Coal tar, an ingredient in many anti-dandruff has been linked to cancer. I like using essential oils because their benefits are multi-fold, they not only treat dandruff, but also ease stress, and help me sleep better.

[MommyTeach]

on 7/22/2009 This is great but oils are so much more pricier than the shampoo which works fine. Great article 5*

[jenng]

on 7/19/2009 Great article on How to Treat Dandruff With Essential Oils 5*

[jaredsgirl]

on 7/17/2009 Great article on treating dandruff with essential oils! Thanks. 5*

[sonni57]

on 7/17/2009 Good article on how to care for dandruff many people can benefit from using essential oils.