Dandruff – Ayurvedic Treatment, Herbs, Oils, Home Remedies
Dandruff is a common, non infectious skin disease of the scalp. It may be found even in face, ears, body folds, neck and front of the chest. It is caused due to faster shredding of the dead skin in the lesions. Thus the white dust gets seen on shoulders of the victim.
Table of Contents
Causes for dandruff
The studies reveal that the chemical residues from cosmetics,
stress, anxiety,certain diseases such as psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, yeast overgrowth and tensions are the worsening factors of this complaint.
People with inherent dry skin also face this problem.
Dandruff is termed as Darunaka in Ayurveda. Most of the Ayurvedic texts refer this complaint under minor diseases (Kshudra Rogas).
Dandruff causes as per Ayurveda:
Excess intake of sour tasting foods leading to
Intake of cold water for long
Excess exposure to sunshine
Night awakening
Exposure to dust
Excessive sweating
Suppression of natural urges
Not washing hair regularly
Non application of oil to the scalp etc
Origin of disease
How dandruff is formed as per Ayurveda?
The dryness of the skin is contributed by Vata Dosha.
Excessive oily scalp also causes dandruff. Oiliness is caused by Kapha Dosha. Hence, dandruff has involvement of Kapha and Vata Dosha.
Clinical features
1. Kandu (Itching)
2. Keshachyuti (Hair fall)
3. Swaapa (Numbness)
4. Twak sputana (Cracking of the skin)
5. Daruna(Dryness followed with crack in the scalp)
6. Daha (Burning sensation)
7. Gaura (Heaviness) and
8. Toda (Pricking sensation) etc
Ayurvedic treatment
If the cause lies on the scalp such as dry skin, then just hair oil application or local treatment will be sufficient to cure dandruff.
If the cause lies in underlying skin disease such as psoriasis, treatment for the causative disease will be required.
Ayurvedic treatments such as shirodhara, shirobasti helps not only to relieve dandruff and improve hair quality. They also help you to relieve stress and lack of sleep (which are also cause for dandruff).
Herbal hair oils
Ayurvedic herbal hair oils for dandruff:
1. Bhringaraja taila
2. Triphaladya taila
3. Durdurapatradi taila
4. Chemparutyadi taila
4. Nalpamaradi taila etc
Internal medicines
Internal medicines helpful in this complaint are-
Saptamrita loha – Contains Indian licorice and Triphala, useful in skin diseases
Bhringarajasava – an alcoholic Ayurvedic medicine. Improves immunity, skin complexion
Chandanasava – Improves immunity, relieves excessive oiliness
Narasimha Rasayana – Improves hair quality and scalp skin health. Especially useful when dandruff is caused due to dryness in the scalp.
Dandruff due to blood impurities
As per Ayurveda, most of the skin diseases are related to blood impurities / Dosha imbalance in blood. If that is the cause, then medicine and treatments to treat impurity, then treatment for blood and liver detox such as below mentioned medicines might be required.
Panchatiktaka kashaya – used in treatment of fever and burning sensation
Mahatiktaka kashaya – used in treatment of skin diseases of Pitta origin
Patolakaturinyadi kashaya – used in treating jaundice, anorexia, it is used for liver detox.
Dandruff due to psoriasis, eczema
If it is due to underlying diseases, then respective medicines for such diseases will be required.
Related:
Eczema: Causes, Ayurvedic Treatment, Medicines, Home Remedies
Psoriasis – Ayurvedic Understanding And Treatment Modalities
Herbs for dandruff cure
Bhringaraja (Eclipta alba)
Amalaki (Amla)
Neeli (Indigofera tinctoria)
Sandalwood – Chandana(Santalum album)
Licorice – Yashtimadhu
Hibiscus – Japa
Dhattura (Dhattura alba)
Tulasi (Holy basil) etc
Wholesome diet and habits
Mango – Amra
Pomegranate – Dadima
Lemon – Matulunga (Citrus medica)
Narikela (Coconut)
Ghee – Ghrita (Ghee)
Moringa – Shigru (Drumstick)
Shiro abhyanga(Application of oil to the scalp) etc
Food rich in Vitamin E and Omega 3 fatty acids help to keep the scalp in good health.
Food rich in Vitamin E –
Sunflower seed, almond, pine nuts, peanuts, spinach, taro root, flaxseed oil, soybean, pistachio.
Broccoli, carrots, chard, mustard and turnip greens, mangoes, nuts, papaya, pumpkin, red peppers
Food rich in Omega 3 fatty acid:
Flax seeds, walnut, sardines, salmon, soybean, tofu, shrimp, Brussel sprout, cauliflower, winter squash, fish oil, egg oil, krill oil, chia seeds, Canola oil, camellia.
Unwholesome diet and habits
Viruddhahara – wrong food combinations
Dadhi (Curd)
Sheetala jalapana (Excess intake of cold water)
Madyapana (Alcohol intake)
Vegadharana (Suppression of the natural urges)
Atapa sevana (Exposure to strong sunlight) – Wear a hat while going under Sun.
Ayurvedic home remedies
Easy Ayurveda Home remedies for Dandruff:
1. Equal quantity of Hibiscus flower, fresh amla (gooseberry) and leaves of holy basil (tulasi) are taken and mixed with 4 times of gingelly oil (Sesame oil) and 8 times of coconut water. This is cooked till the complete evaporation of water content. This is filtered and stored. This oil is used for the application on the scalp. It contributes good benefits in dandruff.
2. 10 gram of borax (dehydrated) is taken and mixed well with 60 ml of curd. This is applied to the scalp. (Instead of curd, lemon juice can also be used.) Regular application of this for 70-10 days relieves the complaint of dandruff.
3. If you are from hot climate place, then regular application of coconut oil, 20 minutes before bath, with gentle scalp massage benefits you. Still better, put a teaspoon of neem powder or 5 – 10 neem leaves or 5 – 10 curry leaves to the coconut oil, heat it in mild fire for 5 minutes and filter it. Use this as hair oil for improved benefits.
4. Soak 2 tablespoons of fenugreek in water. Next day, grind it. Apply this slimy paste to scalp. Leave it for 15 – 30 minutes, wash hair. This acts as a natural hair conditioner and you will be stunned to see the improved hair shine.
5. Make a paste of fenugreek powder and amla powder with water or curds. Apply this paste to scalp, leave it for 10 minutes, wash hair.
6. This one is my favourite. You might have heard of it many times and already got bored – soak five raisins and five almonds in water at night. next day morning, eat them.
Dandruff is not a life threatening illness. But repeated negligence will result in major kind of infective skin diseases. Regular application of oil to the scalp(Shiro abhyanga) and wholesome diet will help to prevent from dandruff.
Article by Dr MS Krishnamurthy and Dr Hebbar.
23 comments on “Dandruff – Ayurvedic Treatment, Herbs, Oils, Home Remedies”
Reena Bhatia
i follow dr. Hebbar’s articles religiously,very insightful and educative .
Emmett Walsh
Very good. However , The systemic basis of chronic dandruff will need a physician to treat it .
A great service Dr . Congrats
Emmett Walsh
Medical Herbalist/Physician
Venkat
If there are easy home remedies as mentioned in this article, then why are so many costly (branded) oils and shampoos prescribed and sold? Kindly educate.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Because, many people prefer readymade products. Though many would like to prepare their own remedies, they may be too busy with their work and want something that is already available and yet useful. 🙂
Venkat
Thanks Doctor for your reply. I can understand.
The problem is – doctors do not often educate patients on home remedy options and directly prescribe readymade stuff. If only they had done that education, may be many would have opted for home remedies.
Anyway … let me not worry about what doctors in general are doing, when you are an exception.
You have been doing a fantastic service providing all these precious gems of knowledge for free. I only wish all other doctors did the same and prescribed readymade stuff only after (or apart from) educating patients of home remedy options.
Thanks so much again!
rose
Thanks Dr.Hebbar for such useful and cost effective remedies. I have acne scars which i have made worse by scratching and as such they have become black…can you write an article focussing on remedies for such things….
keep up the good work…..
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Thanks!
Kumkumadi taila – This is an herbal oil – Take 5 drops in to your finger tips gently rub it on to your face for 5 minutes, wash off with warm water. Do this everyday. – http://ayurmedinfo.com/2012/04/24/kumkumadi-tailam-benefits-how-to-use-ingredients-side-effects-reference/
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Hi, I have explained the reasons here – https://www.easyayurveda.com/2015/01/12/ayurvedic-doctors-not-suggest-many-home-remedies/
Venkat
Thanks from my heart for your reply as well as its style – taking time to convert the answer into a blog post for the benefit of all. I deeply appreciate the efforts you have taken in answering a patient’s concern. My respect for you and your work has immensely risen. Thanks again.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Hi, it is enough. Please continue.
Tushar singh
Sir I have black spots on stomach n right arm for more than one year and have hair fall problem due to dandruff, please suggest me medicines…
Dr Malini Bhat
Sir, Some home remedies to stop the dandruff:
• Heat 4 tbsp of coconut oil. Add 1 piece of camphor while it’s heating. Mix well. Massage on scalp when lukewarm before bedtime. Leave it overnight
• Mix lemon in warm coconut oil and apply on the scalp. Leave it for about half an hour before shampoo. Follow this for at least two weeks for best results.
• Mix two spoons of gram flour in a small bowl of curd. Add half a spoon of lemon juice. Apply this mixture on your scalp and leave it for thirty minutes. Curd and gram flour are best hair cleansers that aid in cleaning the scalp.
• Before you apply any oil on your hair, just warm it up a little for the oil to get soaked deeper in the roots. Massage your hair with hot oil before going to bed.
• Mix almond oil with olive oil. Both are known to have superb qualities to help your hair grow as well as nourish it.
• A simple anti-dandruff hair pack created with Amla powder, Tulsi leaves and water works wonders to cure this pesky and irritating hair condition. One must rub this paste onto the head thoroughly and let it sit for almost 30 minutes. As soon as the set time is over, rinse hair with plain water.
• Fenugreek seed paste, prepared by soaking the seeds in water overnight and mashing the next morning, is found to be highly beneficial in treating dandruff. Get the paste thoroughly applied onto your hair and scalp for 30-45 minutes and then rinse off.
Atit
I have a dandruff about more than 5year i tried many shampoo but can’t get any relief and having a baldness because of dandruff. What should i do to prevent baldness by help of ayurveda. Which oils and with what kind of shampoo i have to use ? Please give reply and also your email adress.
Dr Malini Bhat
Sir,Some home remedies to stop the dandruff:
• Heat 4 tbsp of coconut oil. Add 1 piece of camphor while it’s heating. Mix well. Massage on scalp when lukewarm before bedtime. Leave it overnight
• Mix lemon in warm coconut oil and apply on the scalp. Leave it for about half an hour before shampoo. Follow this for at least two weeks for best results.
• Mix two spoons of gram flour in a small bowl of curd. Add half a spoon of lemon juice. Apply this mixture on your scalp and leave it for thirty minutes. Curd and gram flour are best hair cleansers that aid in cleaning the scalp.
• Before you apply any oil on your hair, just warm it up a little for the oil to get soaked deeper in the roots. Massage your hair with hot oil before going to bed.
• Mix almond oil with olive oil. Both are known to have superb qualities to help your hair grow as well as nourish it.
• A simple anti-dandruff hair pack created with Amla powder, Tulsi leaves and water works wonders to cure this pesky and irritating hair condition. One must rub this paste onto the head thoroughly and let it sit for almost 30 minutes. As soon as the set time is over, rinse hair with plain water.
• Fenugreek seed paste, prepared by soaking the seeds in water overnight and mashing the next morning, is found to be highly beneficial in treating dandruff. Get the paste thoroughly applied onto your hair and scalp for 30-45 minutes and then rinse off.
Devi
Doctor, I have seboriv dermatitis since some years.. It comes only when I sweat.. I sweat a lot usually.. I have been advised to use durdurapatradi thailam on hair.. Is it effective ? Is their any other remedy
rahul
doctor, plz suggest any good home remedy for seboramic dermatitis. thanks
Smriti Paliwal
Hello Dr.
Are these remedies effective if there is dandruff along with psoriasis and severe hair fall??
Kumar
Thanks for the article. There are white flakes on my scalp. Mild scratching leads to white residue on my finger tips. How to tell if it’s dandruff or plain dry skin problem? Is there a common solution to both.
Bjohn
MY 7 YEAR CHILD HAS DANDRUFF,SEVERE ITCHING, PLEASE HELP
Kadambari
I have excessive dandruff. Also i am allergic to oil. My skin is also very oily. I get tiny pimples on my foreahead. Need your suggestions.
Priya Ayachit
I have white patches on my face….. because of dandruff….plzzzzz help with any remedies
Gowri
Doc, Can instead of the above mentioned taila, can I use kera taila? I am from Kerala.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Yes.