The Neem plant has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to treat a large variety of diseases related to the skin together with dandruff as well as other illnesses including diabetes.
It is an evergreen tropical tree by nature grown for commercial purposes in about thirty countries of the world.
A foundation established for promoting the of use of natural, herbal and non-chemical substances to save the environment called ‘Neem Foundation’ suggests natural remedies using neem tree products, like the leaves and neem oil, which is derived from the fruit and seeds of the plant. Because of the healing properties of the neem tree it is sometimes referred to as ‘the Village Pharmacy’.
Neem is known to posses the following properties:
• anti-bacterial
• anti-fungal
• anti-inflammatory
Neem extract is used in many health and beauty products like bathing soaps, many leading brands of shampoo, toothpastes, creams and lotions.
Neem has multiple uses, especially as a remedy for many common health problems, one of which is ‘Dandruff’. It is a very common ailment, related to the scalp. In fact, it is found to persist in almost 50% of the world’s population.
Basically, dandruff is characterized by flaking of the dead skin cells of the scalp. It may also cause itchiness and redness of the scalp.
Although not a serious condition, it may be a cause of embarrassment and discomfort. Dandruff, however, is a curable problem. Here we are going to look at the various ways for treating dandruff using neem leaves.
Purified Neem Water
- • Take about 50 neem leaves and boil them in 2 liters of water. Boil the leaves till the water become greenish in color and the leaves soften and lose their color.
Strain the leaves and keep aside the solution till it cools down. This purified neem water can be used to rinse the hair to treat dandruff as well as hair fall.
- • Heat 4-5 cups of water and add two handfuls of neem leaves to it. Let this stand overnight. Finally, rinse your hair with this neem water to help relieve itchiness and irritation caused by dandruff.
The soaked leaves can be made into a paste and used separately to be applied to the scalp as yet another treatment for this scalp problem.
Neem Hair Conditioner
Boil a bunch of neem leaves in water and make a paste out of it. Add honey to the paste and use as conditioner for your hair.
After having washed your hair clean with shampoo, leave this neem hair conditioner in your hair for a few minutes and rinse off. This will make your hair dandruff-free along with helping get rid of the frizz if any.
Neem and Coconut Massage Oil
Take one cup of coconut oil, boil neem leaves in it and strain the oil. Add the juice of one lemon and a quarter cup of castor oil. Keep the mixture in a bottle and use frequently to massage into the hair and scalp.
Let the oil stay in your hair for at least half an hour before washing your hair. It will aid in reducing dandruff plus, keep your hair healthy.
Neem and Fenugreek Seeds Paste
Fenugreek seeds like the neem leaf have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, as well as a cooling and soothing effect.
Soak about 2 teaspoons of fenugreek seeds for 2-3 hours in water, and make it into a paste along with a bunch of neem leaves. Use this paste on your scalp and leave in for an hour, after which wash your hair thoroughly. This mixture is considered very beneficial for the treatment of dandruff.
Neem, Curd and Fenugreek Seed Paste
Take 6-10 neem leaves, half a cup curd and 2-3 tablespoons fenugreek seeds. Soak the seeds overnight and make into a paste, adding the neem leaves and curd. Squeeze half a lemon into the paste.
Before using this mixture on your hair, massage oil into your scalp. Use any oil that you are comfortable with, apply the paste and leave in for at least half an hour. Wash your hair as usual. This treatment can be done twice a week to provide effective relief from dandruff.
Dandruff has no known cause to be specific. Nevertheless, a few factors may aggravate the problem. It is best to maintain a healthy diet, wash your hair regularly, drink enough water, sleep well and remain stress-free to increase your chances of being free from dandruff.
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