What acne is to the skin, dandruff is to the scalp. Although a common hair problem, it can shake your confidence and prevent you from socializing. First of all, don't let yourself get affected by it too much; secondly, there's a solution to every problem, and dandruff is easily treatable. The first line of treatment most people opt for is buying an anti-dandruff shampoo, but sometimes this doesn't work, especially if your scalp is sensitive. The chemicals in your hair care product can be pretty harsh, leading to dryness and irritation that worsens dandruff. Therefore, looking for natural dandruff remedies is the way to go. Ayurvedic treatment for dandruff has proven to be effective, as the ancient technique suggests traditional methods that not only remove dandruff but also prevent it from coming back, ensuring a healthier scalp naturally. If your bathroom shelf looks like the shampoo aisle at the grocery store, it's time to take a different route. The cause of the flakes and dandruff could be anything, but going the natural way will surely end this problem once and for all. If you are ready to explore ayurvedic treatments for dandruff, then we have 5 natural remedies that could work. However, before we get to ayurvedic treatment for dandruff let's take a look at the causes of dandruff, so you can prevent it from coming back.
01What are the causes of dandruff?
When you notice flakes of dandruff on your shoulders, do you often find yourself thinking, why me? Well, ayurveda may have the answer to that question. According to ayurveda, your dandruff is a result of an imbalance in your doshas. Dry, flaky dandruff means your 'pitta' and 'vata' doshas are aggravated and if your dandruff is wet or oily it means an imbalance of 'kapha-vata' doshas. There are a few other factors that can make your dandruff worse if not treated on time, scroll down to see what they are.
While shampooing everyday is not good for the hair, you should definitely wash your hair three times a week. Failing to do this can result in the accumulation of dead skin cells and product buildup on your scalp. This gives bacteria and microbes the perfect environment to thrive and causes problems like scalp infection and dandruff.
Those with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis are more prone to develop dandruff than others. If you have naturally dry skin, then you too might suffer from dandruff, especially during winter when the 'vata' dosha gets aggravated. However, that does not mean you have to suffer in silence, you can use ayurvedic treatments for dandruff to get rid of it.
An unhealthy diet or one that lacks essential minerals and vitamins can also lead to dandruff. Vitamin B complexes, omega fatty acids and zinc are essential for healthy and nourished skin. Therefore, it is necessary to consume healthy oils, proteins and fresh fruits and vegetables to prevent this problem. Consuming artificial colours, flavours and a lot of spices can lead to inflammation and dandruff.
Stress weakens your immune defenses and increases 'pitta dosha' in the body. When that happens, the body produces excess sebum, and the lowered immune defense allows bacteria and fungi to grow. This results in dandruff in the scalp.
02Ayurvedic treatments for dandruff
There are plenty of ayurvedic remedies for dandruff as ayurveda offers a range of natural medicines that can be applied topically and taken orally to get rid of dandruff and balance 'pitta', 'vata', 'kapha' doshas in the body. These ayurvedic treatments for dandruff will help relieve the itching and dryness by nourishing and detoxifying your scalp. Here are some of the best natural remedies for dandruff.
1. Neem
Neem is known for its antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Ayurveda describes neem tree as 'sarva roga nivarini' which translates to curer of all ailments. The antifungal properties of neem help fight dandruff by killing bacteria and fungi and detoxifying the scalp to give relief from itchiness and irritation. This makes neem a great ayurvedic medicine for dandruff.
How to use:
- Apply neem oil to your hair at night and wash off in the morning.
- Grind neem leaves and mix curds in it, apply this paste all over your hair and scalp.
- Rinse it off after 15-20 minutes
2. Methi
Methi or fenugreek seeds , as it is more commonly known, is one of the best ayurvedic treatments for dandruff. The antibacterial properties of fenugreek seeds help combat dandruff and nourish the scalp to fight flakes and give you a clear and healthy scalp.
How to use:
- Soak fenugreek seeds overnight and grind it into a paste in the morning.
- Apply as is or mix with lemon juice, yogurt or henna into it to make it more effective.
- Apply and leave for 30 minutes then wash with a mild shampoo.
- You can mix fenugreek seeds in coconut oil and massage your scalp with it for 15-20 minutes at night.
- Wash hair the next day.
3. Lemon
Lemon juice is quite effective in the treatment of dandruff as it contains citric acid, vitamin C and zinc. It is also rich in antioxidants and contains antifungal properties, which means it can help get rid of dandruff naturally. Lemon makes the best ayurvedic remedy for dandruff.
How to use:
- Make a concoction of fresh lemon juice, olive oil and ginger extract and apply to the scalp and massage for a few minutes.
- Leave it in for at least an hour before washing off.
- You can also make a hair mask by using lemon peel powder, sandalwood powder and multani mitti.
- Apply on the scalp and wash off after one hour.
4. Aloe vera
Aloe vera is another ayurvedic treatment for dandruff that works very well. It has skin calming, soothing and antibacterial properties making aloe vera an effective ayurvedic solution for dandruff. Applying it to the scalp will relieve itching caused by psoriasis and eczema.
How to use:
- Extract the gel of one aloe vera leaf and apply it on your scalp.
- Leave it overnight and wash it off in the morning.
5. Amla
One of the greatest sources of vitamin C, amla can be used in the treatment of dandruff. If you've tried pretty much everything to cure dandruff, but it doesn't seem to go away, try this ayurvedic treatment for dandruff to get rid of it. Here's how to use amla for the treatment of dandruff.
How to use:
- In a bowl mix amla powder and ground tulsi leaves.
- To this, add some water to form a thick paste.
- Apply the mixture on your scalp and let it stay for 30 minutes.
- Wash with shampoo and lukewarm water.
03FAQs about ayurvedic treatments for dandruff
Q. What is dandruff called in ayurveda?
A. Dandruff is called 'darunaka' in ayurveda. According to ancient ayurvedic books, dandruff occurs due to an imbalance in the three doshas namely - 'vata', 'pita' and 'kapha'. People in India have been using ayurvedic treatments for dandruff for centuries.
Q. Is curds good for dandruff?
A. Ayurveda mentions a lot of natural treatment options for dandruff and one of them is curds. It contains probiotics and lactic acid which effectively remove dandruff and flakes from the scalp. Apply it all over the scalp and let it stay for 15 minutes then wash off with lukewarm water.
Q. Which ayurvedic oil is good for dandruff?
A. Neem oil, lemon essential oil, and fenugreek oil are considered to be great for fighting dandruff. However, Bhringraj is considered to be the best for dandruff as it contains antioxidants that reduce dandruff efficiently. Apply warm oil on the scalp and leave it for a few hours before washing off with shampoo and lukewarm water.
Q. Is Ayurvedic treatment for dandruff safe for all hair types?
A. Yes, Ayurvedic treatments use natural ingredients like neem, amla, and fenugreek, which are generally safe for all hair types. However, it's best to choose herbs and oils based on your scalp type (oily or dry) for the best results.
Q. How long does it take for Ayurvedic remedies to show results on dandruff?
A. Ayurvedic treatments work holistically, so results may take a few weeks. With consistent use of herbal pastes, oil massages, and a balanced diet, dandruff can significantly reduce within 3–4 weeks, depending on its severity.
