Symptoms
Dandruff causes an overly dry scalp, with itchy white flakes that may be waxy or greasy. If the condition is serious, there are signs of inflammation along the hairline and the eyebrows, and certain parts of the face and chest are also affected. Even the most severe case does not cause hair loss. Cradle cap, a very common problem in infants, is a similar condition and usually causes concern for the parents more than it does the child.
Dandruff Causes
A dry and scaly scalp is usually a sign of poor circulation and not enough brushing of the hair. The excessive use of drying shampoos for oily hair also produces itching and scaling. The most common cause of dandruff and cradle cap, however, is a type of seborrhea, caused by an irregular production of sebum, an oily substance excreted by glands in the scalp. This mild type of eczema is due to an imbalance of essential fatty acids in the body. More rarely, dandruff is a sign of a fungal infection or, if the knees, elbows and lower back are also affected, consider psoriasis as the probable cause.
Dandruff Nutrition
To counteract the inefficient carbohydrate and fatty-acid metabolization which can cause dandruff, include plenty of B vitamins in the diet. Nutritional yeast and raw wheat germ are two excellent sources of B vitamins, particularly vitamin B6, which plays an especially important role in controlling dandruff. Sprinkle nutritional yeast flakes and wheat germ onto your daily morning muesli or add to salads. Eggs and cabbage also provide vitamin B6 and, in addition, supply sulphur, nature's beauty mineral for skin and hair. Unpasteurized milk is another good source of vitamin B6. Pasteurization destroys vitamin B6. Sometimes an allergy to dairy products can cause dandruff, in which case alternative food sources of vitamin B6 are preferred. Other common allergens which provoke dandruff are chocolate, nuts and shellfish.
Refined carbohydrates in white flour or sugar can cause dandruff and should be avoided because they deplete the body of B vitamins. Saturated animal fats and trans-fatty acids found in margarine or shortening clog the arteries and interfere with the metabolization of the essential fatty acids. The good fats found in nuts and flax seeds benefit the body and promote healthy skin.
Dandruff Nutritional Supplements
Supplementing the essential fatty acids is most important, since these are usually lacking. Evening primrose oil is a good source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), easily absorbed by the body. B6 deficiencies also cause dandruff. To prevent imbalances, the entire B complex should be included. In addition, vitamins A and E are important for skin health. Silica is also recommended for improving skin and scalp health. It is available in capsules from a vegetable source and in a liquid gel form.
Daily dosages:
Most Important
Evening primrose oil, two 500 mg capsules three times daily
Vitamin B complex, 50 mg twice daily with meals
Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate,
50 mg twice daily
Helpful
Vitamin A, 10,000 IU
(avoid during pregnancy)
Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols,
400 IU
Silica, 1,000 mg, two 500 mg capsules daily
Dandruff Herbal Remedies
Herbs provide many essential nutrients that encourage healthy hair and scalp.
Horsetail contains zinc and silica, which are essential for healthy hair and scalp. Take 10 drops of horsetail tincture in water or 1 tbsp. of horsetail juice daily for two months at a time.
Dissolve 2 tbsp. of bulk organic vegetal silica in 1 cup of water and add mixture to your shampoo, or open 25 vegetal silica aqueous extract capsules and dissolve in water.
Rub stinging nettle root juice on scalp and drink 20 drops of tincture in liquid.
Rosemary has astringent, antiseptic and circulation-stimulating properties. Rosemary is indicated especially for psoriasis. Add 1 tbsp. of herb to 1/2 cup of shampoo and use for fourteen days to shampoo hair; rinse with stinging nettle tea or burdock, chaparral, red clover or yarrow tea.
Aloe vera is also excellent for shampooing the hair: rub the fresh gel from a leaf into the scalp, lather and rinse hair with clear water. Since aloe vera dries out the skin, massage scalp with a herbal oil such as burdock or rosemary after drying the hair.
To stimulate circulation, disinfect and loosen dandruff, use birch leaves, gentian and oils of St. John's wort, calamus and lavender.
Add 5–10 drops of tea tree oil into a mild shampoo or rub a few diluted drops of oil directly into scalp to unblock hair follicles and help heal the scalp.
Dandruff Homeopathy
As homeopathy is specific for every person, below is merely a sample of the many prescribed remedies. Take the 6c strength three times daily for up to two weeks. If the condition does not improve, consult an experienced homeopath.
Take Arsenicum for a dry, sensitive and hot scalp that is very itchy at night, with round bare patches of scalp showing through the hair.
Graphites is used for a moist, encrusted and smelly scalp. Crusting is worse behind the ears.
For lank and greasy hair with white crusting around the hairline, take Natrum mur.
Take Sepia for a moist and greasy scalp that is sensitive around the hair roots.
Sulphur is recommended for thick dandruff and a scalp made drier by washing. The need to scratch at night causes the scalp to burn.
Tissue Salts
Take 4 tablets three times daily for two weeks.
For the scaling of dandruff or the effects of psoriasis, take Kali sulph.
Use Nat mur with Kali sulph if the scalp is particularly dry.
Dandruff External/Physical Therapies
Do not scratch the scalp.
Brush scalp to loosen scales before shampooing. If you wash the hair daily, use small amounts of baby shampoo. Harsh shampoos cause the sebaceous glands to overcompensate by producing more oil than necessary.
Exercise daily in the open air. The increased circulation will bring vital nutrients to the scalp and fresh oxygen will discourage fungal growth.
Hair-dryers will dry out the scalp, producing itching and scaling.
Wash the hair once a week with a sulphur-based soap.
Avoid hair products that contain alcohol, which dries out the scalp.
The onion, high in sulphur, is an old, effective country remedy. Cut in half and rub on scalp.
Hydrotherapy
Alternating hot and cold water on the head increases circulation to the scalp.
Dandruff Available Brand Name Products
Nutritional Supplements
Silicea Gel (Anton Huebner)
Udo's Choice: Ultimate Oil Blend (Flora)
Udo's Choice: Ultimate Oil Blend Capsules (Flora)
Coenzyme Q10 (Natural Factors)
Ultra Prim Evening Primrose Oil
(Natural Factors)
Vitamin A (Natural Factors)
Zinc Citrate (Natural Factors)
Other Nutritional Supplements
Aloe Vera Gel (Nature's Herbs)
Aloe Vera Inner Leaf (Nature's Herbs)
Aloe Vera Juice (The Real Aloe Co.)
Herbal Remedies
FloraSil (Flora)
Horsetail Leaves (Flora)
Silica Extract 500 mg (Natural Factors)
St. John's Wort Extract (Natural Factors)
Burdock (Nature's Herbs)
Red Clover Combination (Nature's Herbs)
Silica-Power (Nature's Herbs)
Yarrow Flowers (Nature's Herbs)
External Therapies
Calaguala Fern & Cade Tar Scalp Treatment Shampoo (Aubrey Organics)
Selenium Blue Shampoo (Aubrey Organics)
Cedarwood Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
Eucalyptus Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
Rosemary Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
Big Sky Tea Tree Shampoo/Conditioner (Prairie Naturals)
Moonshine Recovery Emollient
(Prairie Naturals)
White Lightning Scalp Tonic
(Prairie Naturals)