Do it yourself: 9 natural effective home remedies for dandruff and hair itch

. While everyone suffers from flaking once in a while, dandruff can become so prevalent and irritable that it can even affect one’s social life.

Modern medicine provides treatment. However, there are natural (cheaper) treatments in the name of home remedies for dandruff:

Black pepper: It contains a combination of zinc and selenium that are effective at fighting dandruff flakes. Mix two teaspoons of black pepper with a cup of yoghurt and stir. Apply the paste on your scalp and leave in for an hour or two. Rinse out with a mild shampoo.

Raw egg: Raw eggs are effective in treatment of dandruff. Beat two eggs and apply to your scalp and leave on for one hour. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo, then rinse.

Garlic and lemon juice: A mixture of lemon juice and garlic is great for fighting dandruff as it contains anti-microbial properties. Mix one part lemon juice to two parts garlic and apply the paste on your scalp. The lemon juice clears the existing flakes, while the garlic prevents against bacteria that aid in flake growth. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes, then rinse with a mild shampoo.

Apple cider vinegar: It is high in potassium, thus offers effective treatment against dry and itchy scalp associated with dandruff. It also clears the dead skin cells on the scalp and restores the scalp’s pH balance, thus inhibiting the growth of yeast. Apply it to your scalp and massage for five minutes. Rinse off with water. You could use a mild shampoo if you so wish though this is not compulsory.

Olive oil: Olive oil contains natural moisturising and clarifying properties. Slightly heat the olive oil to lukewarm temperature and massage into your scalp. Leave it in overnight and rinse it out with a mild shampoo in the morning.

Neem juice: Neem tree contains effective anti-fungal properties. Its leaves or oil can be applied to the scalp to treat dandruff. Apply neem on your scalp and rinse after an hour or two.

Coconut oil: Coconut oil has anti-fungal properties effective in fighting dandruff. Mix some coconut oil with half the amount of lemon juice in it. Apply on the scalp and leave on for 20 minutes. Repeat the treatment two to three times a week for best results.

Baking soda: This is a mild exfoliant that is able to remove dead skin cells as it absorbs excess oil. It can also help in reducing the growth of fungi that cause dandruff. Wet your hair then apply a handful of baking soda on the scalp. Rinse with warm water after 20 minutes. Do not use shampoo. Repeat the process twice a week until dandruff is completely cleared.

Orange peel: It is great in dandruff treatment. Put an orange peel in a food processor. Squeeze in some lemon juice to it. Grind until it becomes a paste. Apply it on your scalp and let it stay for half an hour; then rinse with mild shampoo. Do this thrice a week for best results.