6 Natural Remedies To Treat Itchy Scalp

Do you get that hard-to-resist urge to scratch your head? An itchy scalp or pruritus of the scalp can be annoying as well as embarrassing. So, what’s causing that itch? Many conditions can in fact! Some common ones include dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis), psoriasis, lice, and a fungal infection (tinea capitis). Let’s take a look at these conditions and some natural remedies that can help you deal with them.

# Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has antifungal properties and can be useful in treating dandruff. One study found that using a 5% tea tree oil shampoo daily for 4 weeks significantly reduced itchiness and greasiness in people with mild to moderate dandruff.

How to: Try adding a teaspoon of tea tree oil to your shampoo and wash 2-3 times a week to clear out your dandruff.

# Eucalyptus Oil

1-8, Cineol, a natural compound found in eucalyptus oil, shows antidandruff activity by inhibiting the yeast malassezia.

How to: Mix around 10 drops of eucalyptus oil in your regular shampoo and massage it into your scalp. Leave it on for a couple of minutes before rinsing, allowing the eucalyptus oil to work its magic.

# Neem

According to research, neem extracts are extremely potent against the fungus associated with dandruff.

How to: Boil neem leaves in water, cool the mixture, and use it to wash your scalp and hair. You can also add a teaspoon of neem oil to your regular shampoo or massage neem oil into your scalp after diluting it in a sesame oil base to get rid of those annoying flakes.

# Honey

Now, here’s a sweet remedy for that itchy scalp! Honey has antifungal and antioxidant properties that can help clear dandruff. In one study, participants applied 90% honey diluted in warm water every other day and left it on for 3 hours before rinsing it off with warm water. They experienced great relief. Itching and scaling were both resolved within a week. It was also observed that a weekly application of honey prevented dandruff from recurring.

# Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has been valued for its soothing and moisturizing properties for ages. And research indicates that it can help you deal with psoriasis too. During one study, patients suffering from psoriasis applied a cream containing .5% aloe vera extract thrice daily for 5 consecutive days a week for a maximum period of 4 weeks. It was found that this treatment cleared psoriasis plaques significantly and cured 83.3% of those who used it.

How to: Split open an aloe vera leaf and apply the gel inside to affected areas. Wash off after 20–30 minutes. This can help relieve itching and deal with psoriasis.

# Turmeric

The exotic golden spice turmeric is another agent that could help you deal with psoriasis. A study found that when a gel containing turmeric was applied topically it improved psoriasis. It is thought that this is due to the effect of curcumin, a compound present in turmeric, which has been found to inhibit several inflammatory enzymes implicated in psoriasis.

How to: Mix in a little turmeric powder with water to make a paste and apply on affected areas thrice daily. Rinse off after a while. You can also incorporate turmeric in your daily diet to improve your fight inflammation.