Dandruff is an irritating scalp condition that causes white flakes to appear in the hair and on the head. The flaking is generally caused by the presence of dead skin cells, and the flaking and itching associated is often a chronic and irritating condition to deal with.

No single cause for this disorder has yet been identified, and it is not clear why some individuals experience getting this while others do not. Among the possible factors or causes include fungal infections, allergies, stress, hormonal imbalance and the frequent or imcorrect use of harsh shampoos or other hair-care products.

Common Types Of Dandruff

There are two common types of dandruff, dry and waxy dandruff. An itchy scalp usually describes dry dandruff, as the small, white scales are generally attached to the scalp or are loosely scattered in the hair.

Waxy dandruff arises when the scaliness of the epidermis is mixed with sebum, which causes it to stick to the scalp in patches. Dandruff may be caused by many factors, and among the contributing factors are poor nutrition, zinc deficiency, yeast infections, high use of alkaline soaps or shampoos and some types of fungus.

Herbal Solutions For Effective Dandruff Treatment

Flaky, itchy hair and scalp. These are the common nuances associated with persistent dandruff. Here are among the available herbal remedies that can be easily bought and used for effectively treating this itchy and embarrassing condition.

- Fenugreek. Natural medicine advocates suggest utilizing fenugreek seeds to treat

dandruff. A few tablespoons of these seeds need to be soaked overnight in water, and then ground into a paste the following morning. The paste should then be applied to the affected skin and left on for at least one hour before washing out.

- Teatree oil. Teatree oil is a herbal antiseptic that contains substances called terpenes. These antiseptic substances are known to penetrate the top layers of the scalp, making teatree more potent than a host other topical treatments. Try mixing a few tablespoons of teatree oil in with your favorite shampoo, but be careful not to get the mixture in your eyes or mouth as consumption of teatree oil is very dangerous.

- Soybean. Soybean is known to have very high in levels of biotin, and that is a major reason why it is effective in the treating dandruff. A diet high in soybean and other foods containing biotin, such as garlic, oats, avocado, and corn, could be an effective initial step in any treatment program for dandruff.

- Licorice. Licorice has Glycyrrhizin, a component that reduces the amount of oil produced by the scalp. Some dandruff cases are caused by excessive oil, and keeping oil production to a minimum is all that is needed in keeping dandruff under control. Add licorice to vinegar and use it as a hair rinse every time you shower.

The widely-used treatments for dandruff generally includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines and shampoos. However many of these treatments are expensive and may not work effectively for certain types of individuals. Biotin is considered to be an effective treatment for dandruff, and experts recommend taking 6 milligrams each day for the prevention of this condition. Today, there are many herbal solutions available and are often considered effective in the treatment and prevention of dandruff.