Top 7 Natural Homeopathic Remedies for Dandruff

Dandruff is a common problem characterized by the shedding of flakes (dead skin cells) from the skin on the scalp. However, it is not confined to the head alone and can affect ears, eyebrows, sides of the nose, beard, mustache, and the hairy part of the chest. It can manifest itself on any part of the body which has hair follicles. Dandruff is often mistaken for dry scalp but it is more than that. When skin cells die, a certain amount of flaking is considered normal. Sometimes, there is a great amount of flaking that becomes chronic and is coupled with redness and irritation on the scalp.

Homeopathy offers a magnificent solution for cases of dandruff. It helps to clear the flakes from the scalp effectively and prevents further progression of the condition. Simultaneously, it helps to reduce any attending irritation, itching, redness, inflammation and hair fall.

The biggest advantage of using homeopathy for treating dandruff is that it provides a holistic approach to treating not only the symptoms but also the root cause of a disease or disorder, without any side effects. In the case of dandruff, homeopathic remedies can be customised to suit the specific requirements of a case.

Homeopathic medicines treat dandruff with oral medications. As dandruff does not arise from an external source so it does not recommend the use of any medicated shampoos, gels, or oils for use on the scalp. Rather it treats the condition with medicines taken orally that work internally on the underlying cause to give complete recovery and permanent solution. Medicated shampoos, gels, or oils are being recommended in mainstream medicine that give temporary results.

Homeopathic medicines for dandruff are safe, natural and powerful that treat dandruff from its base. These are used in highly diluted form that work in a very gentle manner to stimulate a self- healing process and aid natural riddance of dandruff.

Top 7 Homeopathic Medicines For Dandruff

The highly recommended homeopathic medicines for dandruff are Kali Sulph, Phosphorus, Natrum Mur, Thuja Occidentalis, Graphites, Calcarea Carb and Sulphur.

1. Kali Sulph – For Yellow, Scaly Dandruff

Kali Sulph is very effective on the scalp. It is one of the best medicines to help cases of dandruff with yellow flakes. In people requiring it, the flakes are moist and sticky, abundant in number. Not just dandruff, Kali Sulph is equally effective to treat several skin issues where scales are formed, for example psoriasis.

When to use Kali Sulph?

This medicine may be prescribed for dandruff with yellow sticky flakes on the scalp. It will help to clear off the flakes already present and check further tendency of formation of flakes.

How to use Kali Sulph?

Among its different potencies, it gives best results in 6X potency. One may take Kali Sulph 6X three to four times a day.

2. Phosphorous – For Dandruff With Itching And Falling Of Hair

This medicine is most effective in treating dandruff with itchy scalp and hair fall. Flakes are excessive and fall on shoulders in cases needing it. The itching gets worse from scratching; hair strands fall in bunches. Burning sensation and increased sweating on the scalp occurs in some cases.

When to use Phosphorus?

This medicine should be preferred in cases of dandruff with itching on scalp and hair loss.

How to use Phosphorus?

This medicine can be used in both low to high potencies. In most cases, low potency of Phosphorus is selected to start the treatment. Phosphorus 30C once a day is the ideal dose to start with.

3. Natrum Mur – For White Flaky Dandruff

Natrum Mur proves the most beneficial to treat cases of white flaky dandruff. The scalp may be greasy and oily. It may be itchy too. Sometimes hair fall accompanies.

When to use Nat Mur?

Natrum Mur can be used in cases presenting with dandruff having white flakes.

How to use Nat Mur?

Natrum Mur works best in 6X potency that can be repeated three to four times a day.

4. Thuja Occidentalis – For White Scaly Dandruff With Itching and Dry Hair

Thuja Occidentalis sourced from plant Arbore Vitae is a natural medicine that works magnificently to treat dandruff. It gives excellent results when white scaly dandruff is visible, accompanied by scalp itching and dry hair. Scratching relieves itching; sometimes stinging sensation on scalp assists.

When to use Thuja Occidentalis?

This medicine is a good choice for cases having white scaly dandruff with itching and dry hair.

How to use Thuja Occidentalis?

This medicine is available in different potencies from low to high. Usually it is given in 30C once a day only. For using higher potencies, one should always seek a physician’s consultation.

5. Graphites – For Scaly Dandruff With Itching And Burning

Graphites is a very useful when along with dandruff, there is marked itching and burning on the scalp. Flakiness decreases post-washing but comes back again. Flakes may also be noted behind ears, on eyelid margins and moustache area.

When to use Graphites?

People who have intense itching and burning on the scalp from dandruff can use this medicine.

How to use Graphites?

This medicine is most widely used in 3X potency. In the beginning of the treatment, Graphites 3X one tablet once or twice a day is the suggested dose as per intensity of the complaint. Do not increase the number of tablets or repeat more than twice without seeking advice from a homeopathic physician.

6. Calcarea Carb – For Yellowish White Coloured Dandruff

Calcarea Carb is mainly indicated when there is yellowish white dandruff on the scalp. The scales can be thin or thick and can be dry or moist varying from case to case. Increased sweating on the scalp is a characteristic attending feature.

When to use Calcarea Carb?

Use of this medicine should be thought of in cases with yellowish white scales along with excessively sweaty scalp.

How to use Calcarea Carb?

Among its various potencies ranging from low to high, it is advised to start with 30C potency once a day. If no changes are noted, then high potencies can be used after consulting a homeopathic doctor.

7. Sulphur  – For Dandruff With Dry Scalp

Use of Sulphur is considered in cases of dandruff with dry scalp. Persons needing it also complain of itching on the scalp. It is worse in the evening. On scratching, a burning sensation is felt on the scalp, which may be sore to touch.

When to use Sulphur?

Sulphur is usually given in cases of dandruff when the scalp is dry, itchy and if scratched, attended with a burning sensation.

How to use Sulphur?

Its use can be done in different potencies like 30C, 200C, 1M, but generally it is picked in 30C potency initially. In mild cases, Sulphur 30C can be taken twice a week. In moderate to severe cases, Sulphur 30C can be taken once daily. Do not self-medicate with its higher potencies.

Causes Of Dandruff

Some of the reasons and worsening factors behind dandruff include:

1. Oily skin: It is the major reason for dandruff in most cases. Skin oil is commonly known as sebum or sebaceous secretions.

2. Fungus named malassezia: It could be one of the many reasons. In some people, at times, their immune system gives an exaggerated response to this fungus (that normally lives on the scalp without troubling the person) leading to scaliness.

3. Excessive exposure to sunlight and dust.

4. Excessive sweating on the scalp may also contribute to it.

5 . The use of some hair care products (like shampoos, sprays, gels, oils) may also lead to it. This happens from an allergic reaction to chemicals in such products.

6. Persons who already have dandruff may see worsening of the problem, if they do not wash hair frequently because infrequent washing leads to accumulation of dead skin cells and formation of flakes.

7. Not brushing or combing the hair frequently causes dandruff to stay because brushing takes off dead skin cells.

8. Certain other skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis (an autoimmune skin disorder with inflamed patches on skin covered with silvery white scales) may be accompanied by dandruff.

9. Dandruff gets worse in cold, dry winter

10. Stress may also make dandruff worse

Who Is At Risk Of Dandruff?

Though dandruff can affect anyone, there are some factors that increases the risk of it as follows:

1. Male: Dandruff is more common in males as compared to females.

2. Age: Dandruff can occur at any age, but it usually affects puberty-aged people and young adults and is less common in elderly people over 50.

3. Weak immune system: People with weak immunity are also prone to suffer from this condition.

Signs and Symptoms of Dandruff

Some people are affected by it chronically (for long duration), while others may exhibit periodic patterns, with dandruff clearing up at intervals and then recurring, especially during winter months. The signs and symptoms are as follows:

1. Flakes on scalp: Flakes may fall off on shoulders, particularly noticeable on dark clothes, something that all anti-dandruff shampoo ads keep harping on.

The flakes may be white or yellow, small or large and dry or greasy. Sometimes, it resembles a dry flaky sheet on the scalp punctuated by areas of pinkish or reddish swollen skin in severe cases. Some people exhibit no symptoms on the scalp, but only flakes are visible.

2. Itching, burning or uncontrollable scratching may be an attending symptom. Dandruff can thus become a source of constant social embarrassment, especially when it is so severe that flaking shows on dark clothes or the person is left scratching the scalp every now and then.

3. Hair loss in some cases.

4. In babies less than one year of age, scaling or crusting on the scalp can occur medically known as cradle cap.