Are you the one who goes through dandruff problems now and then? Fret not you aren’t alone. Over 50% of the world population has dandruff, which is somewhere around 3.6 billion people.
Dandruff is a scalp condition caused by a fungus, called Malassezia, which feeds on sebum and breaks it down into fatty acids that may irritate the sensitive scalp. This is one of the major reasons for dryness and itchiness of the scalp, leading to the dead skin cells accumulating into visible flakes.
Although you can’t get rid of dandruff permanently, there are some home remedies to keep it under check. Let’s find out what they are…
10 Easy Natural Remedies for Dandruff
1. Fenugreek Seeds:
Fenugreek seeds (methi dana) are a one-stop solution for all when it comes to treating hair-related issues! They are a rich source of antibacterial, antifungal properties, and nutrients such as protein, iron, vitamin C, potassium, lecithin, and nicotinic acid, which makes them effective at getting rid of dandruff.
What You Will Need –
• ½ cup of fenugreek seeds
• A cup of water
What to do –
1. Soak half a cup of fenugreek seeds in water overnight.
2. Next morning, grind the seeds and make a smooth paste.
3. Apply the paste to your scalp and leave it on for 30 minutes.
4. Wash off with a mild shampoo.
How Often to Use –
Repeat this twice a week.
2. Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate):
Being a mild exfoliant, baking soda helps to get rid of dead skin cells from the scalp. It also adjusts the pH level of the scalp and controls the development of the overactive fungi that can cause dandruff.
What You Will Need –
3 Tbsp of baking soda
What to do –
1. Wet your hair and rub baking soda on your scalp.
2. Leave it on for a minute and then wash off your hair thoroughly with water.
How Often to Use –
Repeat this twice a week.
3. Aloe Vera:
Aloe vera has antibacterial and antifungal properties that help to fight fungal infections, including that causing dandruff.
What You Will Need –
An aloe vera leaf
What to do –
1. Scoop out some gel from an aloe vera leaf.
2. Apply this gel to the scalp and massage in a circular motion.
3. Leave it on for an hour and then wash it off with water.
How Often to Use –
Repeat this twice a week.
4. Neem:
The anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties of neem have raised their medicinal value and made it a great cure for lots of skin and hair problems and dandruff is one of them.
What You Will Need –
• A handful of neem leaves
• 1 cup of water
What to do –
1. Boil a handful of neem leaves in a cup of water and strain.
2. Allow it to cool down and then rinse off your hair with this solution.
How Often to Use –
Repeat this thrice a week.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV):
Apple cider vinegar is one of the best home remedies to get rid of dandruff. Its antifungal and antibacterial properties help in treating the dry, itchy scalp, and kills dandruff-causing fungus and bacteria.
What You Will Need –
• 3 Tbsp of apple cider vinegar
• 3 Tbsp of water
What to do –
1. Mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water.
2. After shampoo, rinse off your hair with this solution and scrub it into your scalp.
3. Leave it on for about 10-15 minutes and then wash off with water.
How Often to Use –
Repeat this once a week.
6. Tea Tree Oil:
Tea tree oil is an age-old remedy used to treat ailments ranging from acne to psoriasis. Its powerful anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties, help to alleviate symptoms of dandruff.
What You Will Need –
2-3 drops of tea tree oil
What to do –
1. Add 2-3 drops of tea tree oil to your regular shampoo.
2. Shake well and shampoo as usual. Wash off your hair with cold water.
How Often to Use –
Repeat this thrice a week.
7. Lemon:
Lemon is a great source of citric acid which helps to balance the pH level of your hair as well as fights dandruff from the root level.
What You Will Need –
• A lemon
• Cotton ball
What to do –
1. Squeeze a fresh lemon and extract some juice in a bowl.
2. Apply the lemon juice to your scalp with the help of a cotton ball.
3. Leave it on for 10 minutes and wash it off with a mild shampoo.
How Often to Use –
Repeat this every day till dandruff disappears.
8. Curd:
The acidic nature of curd fights off dandruff as well as conditions hair and make them smooth and shiny.
What You Will Need –
• 1 cup of curd
• Dye brush
• Shower cap
What to do –
1. Whisk the curd and apply it to your scalp using a dye brush.
2. Cover your scalp with a shower cap to avoid messiness and let it dry.
3. Wash off your hair after an hour with a mild shampoo.
How Often to Use –
Repeat this 2-3 times a week.
9. Garlic:
Garlic has anti-fungal properties that help to eliminate the microbes that cause dandruff.
What You Will Need –
• Few cloves of garlic
• 2 teaspoons of honey
• Cotton ball
What to do –
1. Crush few cloves of garlic with a mortar pestle and make a paste. To avoid the pungent smell of garlic, add two teaspoons of honey to it.
2. Apply the paste to your scalp using a cotton ball.
3. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then wash off using a mild shampoo.
How Often to Use –
Repeat this twice a week.
10. Coconut Oil:
Coconut oil has antifungal properties that moisturize and nourish your scalp. It hydrates the scalp and reduces dryness, irritation, and prevents fungal growth on the scalp.
What You Will Need –
2-3 Tbsp of coconut oil
What to do –
1. Massage your scalp in a circular motion with coconut oil.
2. Leave it on for an hour and then wash it off with a mild shampoo.
How Often to Use –
Repeat this twice a week.
Yeah! Dandruff can be a quite frustrating and embarrassing problem. It can also impact your self-esteem. Don’t worry you can now treat dandruff at home by using the above mentioned natural remedies and to maximize the effectiveness pair them with over-the-counter products like anti-dandruff shampoos.
