Dandruff refers to a condition in which skin flakes come out of the scalp and settle on face, shoulders and clothes. It may be caused due to several reasons like malnutrition, bacterial and fungal infections, stress, tension, improper cleaning of scalp and high usage of alkaline soaps and shampoos.
Dandruff leads to itchy scalp. It may even spread to others through direct or indirect contacts like common towels, combs and soaps. Here we mention some home remedies to cure dandruff.
Natural Cure for Dandruff
Curd
Curd has acidic properties which help to cure the problem of dandruff. Keep some curd aside for 2-3 days (do not freeze it). Apply this fermented curd on scalp and hair. Leave for an hour and wash with a mild shampoo. Alternatively, blend 2 teaspoons of black pepper and 1 cup of curd together. Apply the mixture on scalp and leave for an hour. Then rinse with a shampoo. Curd conditions your hair and makes it shiny. You may also massage your scalp with a mixture of curd, lime juice and amla at night before going to bed.
Fenugreek
Soak 2-3 tablespoons of fenugreek seed in water overnight. Next morning, grind the seeds to form a paste. Apply this paste on your scalp for an hour. Then rinse using ritha solution or shikakai.The anti-fungal properties of fenugreek seeds help to cure dandruff. You may also mash the soaked fenugreek seeds in warm coconut oil or olive oil and apply on the scalp.
Vinegar
Make a solution of 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 6 tablespoons of hot water. Apply this on the scalp using a cotton ball before going to bed. Rinse your hair next morning. Alternatively, apply a mixture of 6 tablespoons of water, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, half teaspoon of salt and 2 tablespoons of vinegar on scalp. Applying a solution of equal quantities of apple cider vinegar and water on scalp also helps to cure dandruff. Apple cider vinegar helps to get rid of dead skin which leads to dandruff flakes. Using apple cider vinegar with water as last rinse after shampoo conditions hair and also reduces dandruff.
Oils
Prepare a mixture of equal quantities of almond oil and olive oil. Massage the scalp with this mixture for 5 minutes. Leave for some time and then rinse off.
Alternatively, apply a mixture of 1 part of sandalwood oil with 3 parts of lime juice on the scalp for dandruff free hair. Olive oil and sesame oil works wonders for dandruff. Apply hot olive oil or sesame oil at night. Next morning, rub lime juice on the scalp an hour before taking bath. Then rinse your hair.
Boil 300gms of coconut oil with 3gms of black pepper. Strain the decoction and allow it to cool. Applying this on hair and scalp regularly before going to bed helps to treat dandruff. Alternatively, soak few peels of lemon in coconut oil for 8-10 days. Then strain the mixture and apply on hair and scalp. You may also apply tea tree oil directly on the scalp or add a few drops to shampoo to get rid of dandruff.
Beetroot
Prepare a mixture of beetroot juice, cider vinegar and ginger juice and apply it on scalp. Alternatively, boil beet in water. Massage the scalp using finger tips with this water at night. You may also make a paste by grinding ginger root and beetroot. Massage your hair and scalp with this paste every night and rinse in the morning. This will help to reduce dandruff in 4-5 days.
Lemon Juice
The acidic property of lemon helps to cure dandruff. Make a paste of 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of garlic. Apply on the scalp and leave for 20-30 minutes. You may also apply a paste of lemon juice and fuller’s earth on the scalp once a week.Alternatively, massage your scalp with a mixture of lime juice and amla juice every night. You may use lime juice as a conditioner in your last rinse to wash your hair. This reduces flakes and also provides shinny hair.
Gram Flour
Make a paste of 4 tablespoons of gram flour (besan) and curd. Apply it on the scalp and leave for an hour. Then wash off. It helps to remove dirt and dandruff from the scalp. You may also add little lemon juice to the paste.
Green Gram Powder
Prepare a mixture of 2 tablespoons of green gram powder and half cup curd. Use this to wash your hair twice a week.
Apple Juice
Mix 2 tablespoons of fresh apple juice with 2 tablespoons of warm water. Apply on hair and scalp. Leave for 10-15 minutes and then rinse. You may also massage the scalp directly with fresh apple juice.Alternatively, make a paset of equal quantities of apple and orange. Apply on scalp and leave for 30 minutes. Then wash your hair with a shampoo. This fades away dandruff.
Henna
Prepare a mixture of henna, lemon juice, amla, tea powder and a few drops of hair oil in curd. Leave it for 10-12 hours. Then apply on hair and wash after an hour. Adding mashed beetroot leaves to the henna paste helps to prevent dandruff.
Egg
Take 2 beaten egg and 2 tablespoons of water. Mix them properly and apply on the scalp. Leave for 10-15 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water. You may also apply beaten egg directly to cure dandruff. It also acts as a conditioner.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera helps to repair damaged skin. Apply the gel of aloe vera leaves on scalp and leave for 30 minutes. Then wash with an aloe vera based shampoo or shikakai shampoo.
Neem Leaves
The antiseptic property on neem leaves is highly beneficial in curing dandruff problems. Make a paste of neem leaves and apply on the scalp. Alternatively, boil neem leaves in water. Strain and allow it to cool. Use this water to rinse your hair.
Snakegourd
Rubbing the juice of snakegourd on the scalp helps to treat dandruff effectively.
Basil Leaves
Mix basil leaves (tulsi) and amla powder in water to form a paste. Massage it on the scalp and leave for half an hour. Then wash off.
