Nana, Omi, Bunny or Yaya
Everyone has a different name for their grandma, however it looks like all of them share the same recipes for home remedies. Science has even started using those recipes nowadays.
We all know about the antibiotic properties of honey and its ability to treat burns, the ability of homemade cough syrup to relieve cough even better than conventional medicine etc. Malassezia is also a term that many grandmothers are familiar with.
Malassezia is a type of fungus that causes dandruff. Even though it is usually harmless, if the immune system is compromised it can become a serious pathogen.
The common store-bought anti dandruff shampoos are full of toxic ingredients such as coal tar, which has been banned for cosmetic use in the European Union and Canada. The FDA on the other hand still claims that it is safe and effective. Recorcinol is another toxic chemical found in shampoos that affects the thyroid function and also damages the central nervous system. Unfortunately, these are not the only chemicals that can damage our health. Others include: sodium lauryl sulfate, detergents, artificial colors, selenium sulfide, zinc pyrithione, formaldehyde, ketoconazole, polyvunylpyrrolidone (PVP) and fragrance.
However, there is no need to worry because there are very effective natural remedies that can safely remove the dandruff.
Honey
Honey helps the hair retain moisture while nourishing it with vitamins A, B-complex, C, D, E, beta carotene and numerous minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, manganese and phosphorus. Almost all grandmas are familiar with the ability of honey to prevent hair thinning. Honey eliminates the dandruff that plugs the hair follicles thus preventing new hair growth.
One study included 30 participants which had seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff. The participants were asked to massage their scalp for 2-3 minutes with diluted honey every other day and then leave it on for 3 hours. The results were excellent. The itching and scaling were relieved and disappeared within just 1 weak and within 2 weeks the skin lesions were also healed. The patients that continued with the treatment once a week had no relapses compared with the ones who didn’t continue and relapsed within 2-4 months.
How to use honey for dandruff
Apply diluted raw honey (90% honey and 10% water) on wet hair and massage your scalp for 2-3 minutes. Leave it on for about three hours and then rinse with warm water. To add extra shine to your hair, follow with a mixture of ¼ cup of vinegar and ¾ cup of water in order to seal the hair cuticle.
You should repeat every other day for about two weeks.
Apple cider vinegar
Even though science has not yet proven this, vinegar rinse is often recommended by grandmas. However, the ability of apple cider vinegar to treat dandruff is probably due to its high acidity which can change the pH levels of the scalp thus prevent the growth of yeast. Also, the enzymes and natural probiotics in this vinegar can help unclog hair follicles.
No matter how it works, vinegar has already shown excellent results in dandruff treatment. Baking soda is another potent remedy for dandruff however it may cause hair breakage if used too often.
Use:
Mix water and apple cider vinegar in 1:1 ratio, pour them in a spray bottle and apply on a washed and wet hair. Be careful not to spray into your eyes. Then put on a shower cap and leave the mixture on for 15 minutes to 2 hours and rinse with warm water. You should repeat the procedure twice a week until the dandruff is completely gone, and then use when needed.
Probiotics
Even though honey and apple cider vinegar eliminate the dandruff, they are not that powerful when it comes to treating the cause. A small study has shown that taking probiotic supplements reduces dandruff by 70% in 4-5 weeks.