The practice of using essential oils to treat a variety of physical and mental health problems has been around since Biblical times. Aromatherapy essential oils are recognised to help soothe and calm many symptoms, including simple dry dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.
Aromatherapy Oils Treat Dry Dandruff
Dry dandruff is a very common complaint, where dry skin comes off the scalp and shows up as white flakes on clothing. While shampoo brands such as Head 'n' Shoulders offer one remedy, aromatherapy essential oils offer another approach to helping those suffering from dry dandruff. In The Aromatherapy Bible, Farrer-Halls (2005) highlights key ways to relieve dry dandruff symptoms through essential oils, to include the following:
- Massage scalp with ti-tree/lavender oils several times each week
- Add few drops ti-tree or lavender to unfragranced shampoo
In The Essential Oils Handbook, Harding (2008) identifies further approaches to treating dandruff with aromatherapy, to include as follows:
- lemon-scented eucalyptus - add to unscented shampoo, soothes irritated scalp
- West Indian bay - add to plain shampoo, rub into scalp/rinse daily
Treat Seborrheic Dermatitis with Essential Oils
While dry dandruff is identified as being the most common form of dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis is less common and as a result of excess sebum trapped in the skin, leads to itching and inflammation. Treatment for seborrheic dermatitis with aromatherapy essential oils is used to help balance the production of sebum. According to Farrer-Halls (2005), essential oils which are helpful in relieving this form of dandruff, include the following:
- bergamot mixed with unfragranced shampoo
- sandalwood massaged into scalp
- lemongrass mixed with plain shampoo/massaged into scalp
- clary sage
Lemongrass essential oil, in particular, is recognised to be a very effective approach to the treatment of dermatitis. This type of aromatherapy oil is also an antiseptic and helps to ease muscle aches and pains following exercise. A further benefit of using clary sage essential oil, as identified by Harding (2008), is that it may help to normalise both oily and combination skin types.
As highlighted above, aromatherapy is able to help relieve symptoms associated with dry dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Key essential oils used within aromatherapy to treat dry dandruff, include lavender, ti-tree, lemon-scented eucalyptus and West Indian bay oil, which may be mixed with unfragranced shampoo and massaged into the scalp. Symptoms relating to seborrheic dermatitis may involve using bergamot, sandalwood, lemongrass and clary sage.
Sources:
Farrer-Halls, G. (2005) The Aromatherapy Bible London: Godsfield Press
Harding, J. (2008) The Essential Oils Handbook London: Duncan Baird
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Kate Le Page - Kate Henning-Le Page writes about eating disorders, body image and recovery issues. She specializes in anorexia recovery.
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