Overview
Dandruff is a condition mainly affects the scalp causing flakes of skin to appear. It may or not be accompanied by itching.
The greatest number of sebaceous (oil) glands
are found on the face and scalp. Sebum, the only oily secretion, lubricates the
hair and scalp in order to keep both soft and pliable. Excess sebum may collect
to form dandruff.
Dandruff is a covering of dead skin that
prevents new hair from growing, because it cannot break through the dead skin.
A scaling or flaking of scalp cells results.
Causes
There are no exact known
causes of Dandruff. One theory is that it is linked to hormone production, as
it often begins around the time of puberty.
A change in the surface cells of the scalp
results in a scaling or flaking. This change is especially keyed to nutritional
deficiencies. It often occurs in those with oily skin who are prone to develop
superficial, acute, and chronic bacterial skin conditions.
There is generally excess secretion of oil in
the sebaceous glands. It is this oil which binds the cells together on the
scalp. Nutritional deficiencies can cause these abnormal secretions.
Diet and Ingredients to be used for treatment
of Dandruff
1.Biotin, a B vitamin, is a major anti-dandruff
compound. Take 6 mg daily. It treats both dandruff and the related seborrhea
condition (over activity of the sebaceous glands, resulting in an excessive
amount of sebum). A handful of soybeans
contains the 6 mg of biotin. Garlic
is second biotin content, followed by oats,
barley, avocado, alfalfa, sesame, and corn.
2.Often there are severe B complex deficiencies, as well as a lack of essential unsaturated fatty acids and zinc.
3.Other important nutrients include selenium, sulfur, and lecithin.
4.Cut out excess fats, grease, and all fried foods from the diet. Stop the use of alcohol. Check to see if you have food allergies (wheat, dairy products, citrus, or something else). Avoid stress and poor elimination. Do not use strong, irritant shampoos or hair treatments. Avoid chocolate, sugar white flour, and seafood.
5.Be sure the diet includes flaxseed oil, vitamin E and A, PABA, folic acid, B6, and zinc. If needed, take digestive enzymes. Also helpful are kelp, biotin, and lecithin. Eat 50%-75% raw food.
Herbs and herbal products to be used during
hair massage and washing
1.Massage
burdock root oil into the scalp,
other herbs with-anti-dandruff qualities are comfrey, ginger, licorice, celandine, and plantain. Make a tea of
any, or several, and use them as hair rinses.
2.Put 4 heaping tsp. dried eucalyptus leaves in a quart of boiling water. Stir. Then cover. Remove from heat and steep for an hour. Strain and pour the liquid into a squeeze bottle. Add 1 Tbsp. apple-cider vinegar. At the close of your shower, pour the rinse slowly over your head. For maximum effect, let it dry.
3.The use of an aloe vera shampoo, once or twice a week, will control the dandruff.
4.At bedtime, rub aloe vera gel on the scalp.
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