Hair Treatments for Oily Hair and Dandruff

Disclaimer: This information is in no way intended to be a substitute for modern medical care. Do not self-treat any medical complaint without the guidance of a licensed health care provider.
July 28, 2000

      Many factors can contribute to the condition of oily or unhealthy hair - washing hair improperly with commercial, drying shampoos; washing without stimulating the scalp to remove oil and dead-skin buildup; rinsing incompletely; and not brushing thoroughly enough to stimulate the scalp's circulation and to distribute oils. All of these affect the health of your hair. Styling products, stress, and poor diet can also lead to excess oil production, causing dandruff, flaky scalp, clogged hair follicles and even scalp odor. To balance your scalp's oil production and bring back a healthy shine, try one of the many all-natural conditioners made with herbs, essential oils, eggs and vinegar.

      Have your stylist cut your oily hair in lots of layers. This allows the hair to retain bounce and the scalp to receive plenty of fresh air; it also prevents tangling. As your hair's condition improves, you'll feel more comfortable wearing longer styles with fewer layers. Also, keep oily hair off your forehead to prevent breakouts.

Hair Care with Lecithin
      Egg is an important source of lecithin and protein and acts as a natural antioxidant and conditioner. Protein helps to strengthen the hair cuticle and adds shine. Mix 1 egg, 2 tsp. of shampoo and 1 tsp. of lemon-balm oil. Shampoo with cool water.

Application
      Hair treatments should be applied to dry, unwashed hair and scalp. Using your fingers, run your hands through your hair to distribute the lotions evenly to its ends. Wrap your hair in plastic wrap and cover with a towel; leave it on for up to 30 minutes (for a vinegar treatment), or one hour (for an egg treatment). Shampoo in cool water with a natural shampoo. Rinse well, towel dry and use a wide-toothed comb.

Grape-seed oil provides nutrients
      The thin, pale-yellow oil pressed from grape seeds provides the hair with trace minerals and other nutrients, and conditions the hair.

Cedarwood balances
      Cedarwood essential oil balances the scalp's oil production by increasing blood circulation and cleaning out clogged follicles. Cedarwood oil specifically helps to heal dandruff and thinning hair. It has a refreshing, evergreen scent, lends body to your hair and adds a silky shine.

Peppermint essential oil stimulates the scalp
      Peppermint oil is cooling and stimulating; its astringent properties help to treat an oily scalp.

Burdock root soothes and adds shine
      The tannic acid contained in burdock root is very soothing to oily, irritated skin. As a mild astringent, burdock root will help smoothe the cuticle and remove oil from hair, adding shine.

Rose petals revitalize the scalp
      The components in rose petals tone and tighten the scalp with their gentle astringent action.

Treatment for Oily Hair

  1. Let the yolks reach room temperature, and mix them with the lemon juice.
  2. Use a whisk to stir the grape-seed oil drop by drop into the old mixture until it has a creamy consistency.
  3. Shortly before using, stir in the essential oils. Massage your scalp for 5 minutes with the mixture, distributing it evenly, and leave on for 1 hour.
  4. Shampoo out, using cool water.

Treatment for Dandruff

  1. Place the dried herbs in a tall, wide-mouthed 2 qt. jar with a screw top, and cover them completely with vinegar. the dry herbs will swell and absorb the vinegar, so keep adding vinegar until the herbs are "swimming" in liquid.
  2. Before closing the jar, lay a piece of plastic wrap over its mouth to prevent rust from forming. Secure the lid tightly, and allow the mixture to steep for 2-3 weeks in a sunny location.
  3. After the mixture has steeped, pour the vinegar through a fine sieve, and wring the herbs out well. Filter the vinegar through a piece of gauze, and pour it into a bottle.
  4. Massage 2-4 tbsp. of the vinegar, diluted with an equal amount of water, into the scalp, and cover the hair with a plastic cap for up to 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly. Caution: Do not use this treatment more than three times per week. More frequent use could make the hair dry on the ends.

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Sources:
      All information provided in this article is the result of research using (but not limited to) the following books and guides: Herbs for Health and Healing, Rodale; Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, Scott Cunningham; Magical Herbalism, Scott Cunningham; The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, International Masters Publishers; Earthway, Mary Summer Rain; Teach Yourself Herbs, Susie White; Natural Beauty from the Garden, Janice Cox; Nature's Prescriptions, Editors of FC&A Medical Publishing, and The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies, Joe Graedon and Theresa Graedon, Ph.D