Advice please on which oils to use for dandruff...

[The Wiz]

One of my case studies has dandruff and a dry scalp which is intermittently red/inflamed. He tells me it gets worse when he is under stress and can more or less clear up in the sun/when he's on holiday. He has thick hair which is normal/slightly greasy in type. Can anyone advise on what oil might help. I thought possibly coconut (though it is recommended more for dry hair) as it might ease the inflammation? has anyone used Brahmi - just read up on this one and thought it may also be one to try?

 

[Britney]

Hiya
You could try Jojoba as it is not an oil but a wax, but has a similar constitution to sebum which is produced by the human body. Also possibly evening primrose oil or almond, they are quite thick and nourishing.

 

[Charles Shirin-cowen]

Jojoba is a really good choice because of it's anti-fungal properties and it's ability to dissolve sebum.
I'm assuming that your client knows it's dandruff for sure which is a kind of fungal infection.....as opposed to calling it dandruff just because there are flakes present?
Going by that, your original idea of coconut oil would also be a very good idea because that too has anti-fungal properties, as does Neem oil, but that really stinks.
Bhrami is excellent, but bear in mind it's a herb extracted into an oil.....another name for it is Gotu Kola. If you buy one of the Bhrami hair oils it could very likely contain mineral oil so be sure to check the ingredients. A better idea might be to get Shikakai oil, again check the base oil as many contain mineral oil....but there are sites that sell it extracted into coconut or sesame oil. It's mainly used in it's dried herb form as a hairwash but people do find the oil extraction good too.

One thing to consider, whatever oil you use, by the description you gave it sounds like he really needs to address the cause of the scalp problem and may need a more frequent scalp maintenance plan than you can really give him as an indian head massage therapist/

 

[Shadyfan7]

also check his choice of shampoo...........he may have to switch to one with no irritants in (sodium laurel sulphate being one) . Faith in Nature is a good brand which does not cost the earth(literally!) ,usually about £3.80 ish .

 

[Pepsi C]

Spikenard is an essential oil recommended by Kurt Schnaubelt

Mrs M. Grieve in her book The Modern Herbal says of Rosemary "that it forms an effective prevention of scurf and dandruff". Rosemary in a shampoo or rinse has been used traditionally for dark hair.

As said previously Jojoba is helpful for dry scalp - and psoriasis/eczema.

Neem oil can be used also for dandruff mixed with Jojoba in a shampoo without any nasty chemicals as aforementioned. Also olive oil is good too especially blended with Rosemary essential oil.

West Indian Bay pimenta racemosa, has traditionally been used as a hair rinse for dandruff and for greasy lifeless hair.

Tea tree is also often used for dandruff, again you can use this in a shampoo - or blend with rosemary in either olive oil with jojoba for massaging the scalp with.

Always do a skin test first to see if there is an allergy to any essential oils and leave for 24 hours. If ok then proceed.

Luv Binah
x

 

[rosbif]

thanks everyone for the oils advice - really useful - I've had a look at the Faith in Nature site regarding the tips on shampoo and will be placing an order - the prices are very reasonable for natural products.