Scalp Conditions and Natural Ways to Treat Them!

Happy Monday and MLK Jr. Day! I use to suffer from extremely bad dandruff and I know a lot of other people who suffer from other scalp conditions. So today I wanna share with a few common scalp conditions and also some natural ways to treat them. Here we go.........

*Eczema is a non-infectious skin condition which may be aggravated by allergens such as animal dander, certain foods and additives in soaps, perfumes or body washes. An eczema outbreak is usually recognized by red, inflamed skin that is rough and itchy. Often the eczema rash may eventually lead to bloody, oozing sores which eventually scab over to thickened, dark skin, particularly in my black sistahs and brothers. In some cases, the eczema rash can be found on the backs of knees and the insides of the elbows.

*Dandruff affects the scalp and causes flakes of skin to appear - it is a common condition. Our skin cells are forever renewing themselves. When the skin cells on our scalp are renewed the old ones are pushed to the surface and out of the scalp. For a person with dandruff the renewal is faster, meaning more dead skin is shed, making the dandruff more noticeable. Dandruff can also occur if the scalp is frequently exposed to extreme temperatures. Dandruff is also known as scurf - its medical term is Pityriasis capitis.

*Seborrheic dermatitis
This is a skin condition in which the skin becomes inflamed or flaky. Seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp is a severe form of dandruff. When it affects the scalp most people refer to it as dandruff. When babies have it, it is referred to as cradle cap. Seborrheic dermatitis causes larger, greasier flakes than most other types of dandruff. Seborrheic dermatitis affects not only the scalp, but the skin in other parts of the body too. The exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis is unknown. Most experts do know, though, that it is not caused by poor hygiene.

*Alopecia areata is a hair-loss condition which usually affects the scalp. It can, however, sometimes affect other areas of the body. Hair loss tends to be rather rapid and often involves one side of the head more than the other. Current evidence suggests that alopecia areata is caused by an abnormality in the immune system. This particular abnormality leads to autoimmunity. As a result, the immune system attacks particular tissues of the body. In alopecia areata, for unknown reasons, the body's own immune system attacks the hair follicles and disrupts normal hair formation. Biopsies of affected skin show immune cells inside of the hair follicles where they are not normally present. What causes this is unknown.

*Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes skin redness and irritation. Most persons with psoriasis have thick, red skin with flaky, silver-white patches called scales.Persons with psoriasis have irritated patches of skin. The redness is most often seen on the elbows, knees, and trunk, but can appear anywhere on the body. For example, there may be flaky patches on the scalp.

Now that I've listed a few of the most common scalp conditions, I want to list some natural ways to treat these conditions. Note: Most of the resources listed can be used on various scalp conditions, and are very versatile and can be combined with other oils. I recommend first speaking to your physician and then adding about 10drops of the oil/oils of your choice into either warm distilled water or a carrier oil of your choice such as Grapeseed, Olive, Hemp Seed, or Almond Oil and gently massage into your scalp 3-4 times a week.

So Here we go.......

*Burdock root oil - traditional herbal hair oil.
Burdock (Arctium Lappa) has been a favorite medicinal herb for centuries and was taken for many ailments. Burdock root oil extract, also called Bur oil, was popular in Europe as a scalp treatment applied to combat hair loss, improve hair strength, shine and body. It also used as an herbal remedy to get rid of dandruff and scalp itching, promote healing of skin and scalp conditions. Modern studies indicate that Burdock root oil extract is rich in phytosterols and essential fatty acid, nutrients required for healthy scalp and natural hair growth.
In case of severe itching and flaking, start with ointment Balmflower; continue with Bur oil when conditions improve.

*Coconut oil
The small molecular structure of coconut oil allows for easy absorption through the skin, giving it a soft, smooth texture. It makes an ideal ointment for the relief of dry, rough and wrinkled skin. Psoriasis and eczema suffers often see great improvements in these distressing conditions. Antiseptic fatty acids in coconut oil help to prevent fungal and bacterial infections in the skin when it is consumed and to some extent, when it is applied directly to the skin. The only way to gain entry into the body other than through the natural openings, such as the nose and mouth, is by penetrating the skin. When the skin's defenses break down, infections can result.The medium chain fatty acids in the sebum provide the protective layer on the skin that kills harmful germs. Coconut oil is nature's richest source of medium chain fatty acids. When coconut oil is put on the skin it doesn't have any immediate antimicrobial action. However, when bacteria which are always present on the skin turn these triglycerides into free fatty acids, just as it does with sebum, the result is an increase in the number of antimicrobial fatty acids on the skin and protection from infection. The free fatty acids also help to contribute to the acid environment on the skin which repels disease causing germs.



*Tea Tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia)
Extracted from the leaves of the tea tree and have a long used by the indigenous people of Australia for its cleansing and purifying properties. Great for treating dry scalp, mild dandruff, head lice and regulating the sebaceous glands.(This is what I used to treat my Dandruff condition)

*Basil (Ocimum Basilicum)
Basil is a low-growing herb that thrives in warm and tropical climates. Recently, research have been exploring the health benefits of basil and found it to have great anti-oxidant properties as well as anti-bacterial properties. Great for controlling stress, oily hair and promotes hair growth.

*Chamomile (Chamaemelum Nobile)
Chamomile is a mild soothing oil that is popular in a lot of herbal preparations and general tea consumption. It has antiseptic effects and can calm rashes, dry and irritated skin. It's really good for reducing the symptoms of eczema, psoriasis and other dandruff problems. It also aids in skin regeneration too.

*Myrrh (Commiphora Species)
A great oil that helps alleviate skin ailments as well as detoxifying qualities to the body. This oil can aid in expelling mucus and phlegm too. Great for dry hair, dandruff and regulating oil glands production.

*Peppermint (Mentha Piperita)
This refreshing essential oil provides cooling and antiseptic effects to your body. It helps reduce redness, itchiness and irritation. Great for itchy dandruff problems and cooling the scalp's inflammation.

*Neem (Azadirachta Indica)
Neem oil is extracted from a tree back and works wonders as a fungicide and insecticide. If you have head lice you might want to use this oil. Studies also show its potential to treat Scalp Psoriasis and Seborrheic Dermatitis without the side effects. Helps reduce scalp inflammation and itching too.

*Lavender oil
Lavender oil has been shown to increase hair growth in clinical trials where 70 % of people who massaged it into their scalps 3 times a week had a significant increase in hair regrowth. You can massage this remedy into your scalp or spray is on your scalp with a spray bottle.
Mix these oils in one cup of warm purified distilled water, Almond, Olive, or Grapeseed oil, which ever one you prefer:

Half a teaspoon of Margosa oil (very powerful anti itching oil)
Half a teaspoon of Teatree or Melaleuca oil (for a sensational tingle and bacteria blaster)
15 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil (heals & soothes plus has mild antiseptic properties)
15 Drops of Lavender Essential Oil (soothing, mildly antibiotic and very calming plus it helps your hair grow back thicker and stronger).

There you have it! God knew exactly what He was doing in Genesis 2:29 when he gave us every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of the earth, and every tree in which the fruit of the tree yeilds seeds. It's all by God's design we have natural resources available to help heal us from different conditions. I am grateful! Thank You God for always having us on your mind!

Thank you for your support! Have a great day!