Herbal Remedies for Dandruff, Ayurvedic Treatment – Causes & Symptoms

Dandruff is a kind of skin disorder that affects the scalp. It is a condition in which white, dry flakes of dead skin are shed from the scalp. The point when the hair is combed or when the scalp is scratched, the scales from the scalp fall like snowflakes and settle on the eye brows, shoulders and dress. These scales are seen in the form of coverings on the scalp.

CAUSES

Common causes of dandruff are:

• Unclean habits

• Stress

• Emotional problems
• Exertion
• Anxiety
• Skin diseases like psoriasis or eczema
• Dry skin
• Use of hard shampoos and sensitive hair care products
• Exposure to severe cold
• Excessive intake of oily and sweet food
• Improper and high calorie diet
• Prolonged diseases like jaundice
• Increased activity of the sebaceous glands
• Allergy due to dust or certain types of food
• Use of excessive cosmetic hair treatments such as use of hair conditioning and hair coloring
• Treatment of hair bonding is also responsible for causing dandruff.

SYMPTOMS

• Appearance of white flakes on the scalp
• Dryness of the scalp
• Redness and irritation over the scalp
• Softness of the scalp
• Itching on the scalp
• Baldness

AYURVEDIC VIEW AND TREATMENT ACCORDING TO CHANDIGARH AYURVED CENTRE

According to Ayurveda, dandruff is caused due to the imbalance of vata and pitta dosha, most commonly due to pitta dosha. When both of these doshas get aggravated due to certain reasons then they cause the production of specific impurities or toxins or ama in the body. These toxins are hot and dry in nature. These toxins start accumulating in the deep tissues of the scalp thus contaminating the scalp. This results in itching and formation of patches over the scalp. The scalp starts shedding larger and normal amounts of dead epidermal cells, which leads to the condition of the dandruff.

Single herbs that are beneficial in dandruff are:

• Bhringraj
• Shikakai
• Amalaki
• Reetha
• Fenugreek

Ayurvedic formulations useful in dandruff are:

• Bhringamalaki Oil
• Bhringraja Oil
• Gandhak Rasayan
• Khadirarishta
• Saarivadyasava
• Haridra Khand

DIET AND LIFESTYLE

• Wash your hair regularly with an herbal shampoo at least 2-3 times a day.
• Apply oil in your hair every time you wash the head.
• Avoid spicy, greasy and hot food.
• Avoid eating junk foods.
• Avoid having aerated drinks
• Have food with good nutritive value. Include fibre rich diet in your food.
• Eat fruits and green leafy vegetables.
• Do regular yoga and exercises to minimize the stress level.
• Avoid scratching the scalp with hands or any other object.
• Avoid using combs used by other people.
• Do not allow your hair to remain wet for a long period of time. Leaving the scalp wet for a long period of time promotes the growth of dandruff.

HERBAL REMEDIES

• Heat four tablespoon of coconut oil. To this add one piece of camphor while it is heating. Mix well. Massage on the scalp and leave it overnight.
• Soak two tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in water overnight. Sieve the mixture. Collect the seeds and crush them to prepare the paste. Massage this paste over the scalp and wash it off with water.
• Crush two white eggs and mix four tablespoons of lemon juice. Mix well and apply over the scalp. Leave it for half an hour. Take a handful of margosa or neem leaves. Crush them and soak in half litre of water. Mix thoroughly and wash hair with this water followed by plain water.
• Take some soured curd and apply this over the scalp and hair. Keep it for an hour and then wash with shampoo. This not only helps in removing dandruff but also works as the natural conditioner making the hair shinier.
• Boil neem leaves in water and use this water to rinse your hair.
• Make a paste of tulsi leaves and amla powder with water.
• Soak 50 grams of methi daana in two cups of water overnight. Prepare the paste next morning and apply on the scalp for fifteen minutes.

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