13 Home remedies for dandruff

At some point of time in our lives, we all might have suffered from dandruff. Some people suffer from severe dandruff conditions, while others have mild. Dandruff typically affects the skin of our scalp. Home remedy for dandruff is as effective as that of using a medicated one. 

The signs of dandruff are an itchy scalp and flakiness. The skin layer on our scalp continually replaces itself with new cells. Cells are pushed outward where they die and flake off. This is a very slow process which takes about a month for people with no or less dandruff. But for people with dandruff, this process takes very fast. The outcome is that dead skin cells are shed in large and oily clumps, which appear as white flakes on our scalp.

We tend to rub or scratch it with our fingers, which lead to irritation and redness in our scalp. This can lead to skin infections and bring forth acne and pimples. Dandruff destroys the natural ingredients of the scalp. Continuous scratching of the flaky scalp weakens the hair roots. Thus, dandruff indirectly causes hair fall.

Home remedies for dandruff



Dandruff may worsen in winters. The cause of dandruff is unclear but believed to involve a number of genetic and environmental factors. Onset of dandruff usually starts during puberty. It also varies according to gender. Males are more often affected than females.

Home remedies for dandruff and itchy scalp

1. Coconut Oil & Lemon Juice

Coconut oil has anti-fungal properties which help to get of dandruff. It moisturizes the scalp and provides relief from itching. The citric acid in lemon juice helps in removing dandruff. 

1. Take some amount of coconut oil and mix it with half the amount of lemon juice.
2. Massage your scalp gently with the mixture.
3. Leave it for 20 minutes and then wash it off.
4. Repeat this remedy 2 to 3 times a week.

2. Olive Oil

Olive oil is the best solution to get rid of dandruff, if it is due to undue dryness of scalp.

1. Heat some olive oil until it is slightly warm
2. Massage it onto your scalp and then wrap your hair in warm towel.
3. Leave it for at least 30 to 45 minutes or overnight and then wash it off with shampoo.
4. Repeat this remedy few times a week.

3. Neem Oil

Neem has antibacterial and antifungal qualities. Neem contains a potent antimicrobial called nimonol that helps in treating dandruff. It is used as an age old remedy for skin ailments.

1. Take some neem leaves; grind it in mixture to form a thick paste.
2. Apply the paste on your scalp and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
3. Wash it off with water.

Note: It may irritate the skin further in some people. Use this remedy, only if it suits you.

4. Egg and Lemon Juice

Lemon juice helps to get rid of irritation from dandruff while proteins in eggs make hair healthy.

1. Mix fresh lemon juice with the white part of 1 or 2 eggs, depending upon your requirement.
2. Apply the mixture gently on to your scalp.
3. Leave it for about 5 minutes and wash it off.

5. Aloe Vera Gel

Antibacterial and antiviral properties in Aloe Vera can make hair dandruff free by removing the fungus on scalp.

1. Separate the gel from the Aloe Vera plant.
2. Massage it directly on your scalp.
3. Wait for 15 to 20 minutes before washing it off.

6. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil possesses antiseptic properties and helps in treating many skin & hair conditions including dandruff.

1. Take some drops of tea tree oil and spread it evenly on your scalp.
2. Let it soak for about 5 minutes.
3. Rinse it off with mild shampoo.

7. Fenugreek Seeds

The presence of several vitamins and minerals in fenugreek seeds, make it an ideal homemade remedy to cure dandruff.

1. Soak some fenugreek seeds in water overnight.
2. In the morning, grind them into a fine paste.
3. Apply the paste on your scalp and leave it for a few hours.
4. Wash it off with mild shampoo.
5. Repeat this remedy once or twice a week.

8. Curd

Sour curd is very useful to remove dandruff and make hair soft and healthy.

1. Take some curd and apply it to your hair and scalp.
2. Leave it on for about an hour.
3. Rinse it off with mild shampoo.

9. Baking Soda

Baking soda exfoliates the scalp gently, without irritating it and removes the dead skin cell. It's anti fungal property soothes the scalp and reduces itching.

1. Wet your hair.
2. Take spoonful of baking soda and rub it on your scalp.
3. Leave it for 60 to 90 seconds before washing it off.

10. Garlic

Garlic's antimicrobial properties are perfect for eliminating dandruff casing bacteria.

1. Crush the garlic cloves and mix it with honey till you get a smooth paste.
2. Massage this paste uniformly on your scalp.
3. Leave it for about 15 minutes.
4. Wash it off with mild shampoo.

11. Vinegar

The acidic content in vinegar helps to kill dandruff causing fungus. It drastically reduces flaking and helps in treating dry, itchy skin.

1. Apply an equal quantity mixture of vinegar and water to your scalp.
2. Leave it for about an hour.
3. Rinse it off with mild shampoo.

12. Orange Peels

Orange peels have acidic properties that can reduce excess oil, while conditioning your scalp. This eventually will solve your dandruff problem.

1. Take few dry orange peels and 5-6 tablespoons of lemon juice.
2. Put them in the mixer and blend it to get a uniform paste.
3. Apply the paste to your scalp leaving it on for 30 minutes.
4. Rinse it off with your usual shampoo.
5. Repeat this remedy twice or thrice a week.

13. Heena

Apart from coloring your hair naturally, heena also helps to get rid of bacterial infection. It's helps to reduce the oiliness of your scalp and keeps your hair healthy.

1. Take 4 tablespoon of heena powder. Add lime juice and curd to it.
2. Blend them to avoid lumps and form a smooth paste.
3. Apply this mixture gently to your scalp and hair.
4. Leave it for 30 minutes and rinse it off with mild shampoo.

Try any one of the above home remedy to get rid of your dandruff. If it still persists, try the next remedy, until you find the right one. If you have any feedback or comment on this, please let us know. Hope you liked this health article on home remedies for dandruff and itchy scalp.