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Wednesday, July 20, 2016

11 Simple Remedies to Get Rid of Blackheads

Common and annoying, blackheads occur when your pores become clogged with excess oil and dead skin cells. Read on to find out about the 11 simple remedies to get rid of blackheads naturally.

Common and annoying, blackheads occur when your pores become clogged with excess sebum (an oil created by the sebaceous glands that keeps skin supple) and dead skin cells.

The difference between a black head and a white head is simply whether or not the pore is open or closed. If the pore is open, the plug of sebum/skin cells oxidizes as it is in contact with the oxygen in the air, which turns it black. Blackheads are not caused by dirt.

Let’s make that clear from the beginning. Scrubbing your face obsessively is not a good way to get rid of your blackheads, and is only going to make it worse as you’ll just end up drying out your skin, which will cause more oil to be created to make up for everything you stripped away, and…well it’s a vicious cycle.

For this reason, don’t use some of these remedies more than 2-3 times a week, such as the sugar scrub and pore strips. I know it can be hard to resist, but your skin will be better off this way.

Remedies to Get Rid of Blackheads #1 - Clay Time

Bentonite clay is a mineral rich healing substance that has been used for centuries to treat a number of ailments, chiefly skin related. Because of its molecules “electrical charge” when wet, it does an amazing job of drawing out oils or other impurities locked in your pores.

When you apply the mask your skin gets to drink in all the minerals, while the clay simultaneously draws out the blackhead. It also helps with circulation, which helps with overall skin tone and health.

You can mix the clay with water or apple cider vinegar, maybe sticking to the former if you have dry or sensitive skin. Experiment! This mask will make you feel like your face is tightening as it dries.

Whether or not you let it dry entirely is up to your preference - I tend to let it dry most of the way and then just moisturize afterwards, but other people find that dries their skin out and irritates them.

You will need…

-1 tablespoon (roughly) bentonite clay
-Water or ACV

Directions

Mix in enough water or ACV to form a paste that is thick but still applicable. Using clean fingertips cover your face with a thinner layer of paste and let it sit for 10-25 minutes, depending on how long you are letting it dry. Rinse off with lukewarm water and moisturize as usual.

Remedies to Get Rid of Blackheads #2 - Egg White Mask

Egg whites form an easy mask that can be used to temporarily tighten pores, thus reducing chances of future blackheads, and will also remove current blackheads.

Egg whites are also rich in nutrients for your skin, and are a little less drying than some other home remedies for blackheads.

You will need…

-1 egg
-Facial tissue or toilet paper
-A small bowl
-A clean towel

Directions

Separate the yolk from the white and rinse your face. Pat your face dry and then apply a thin layer of egg white over your skin. There are two ways to go from here-

Place a strip of facial tissue or toilet paper over the wet egg white, being sure to press it onto your face gently. Allow the first layer to dry. Carefully apply a second layer of egg white over the tissue (try dipping your fingers in it and dabbing it on so the tissue doesn’t slide around a bunch. Let this layer dry as well before applying a third (optional.)

When the mask is dry, your face may feel tight - this is supposed to happen. Peel the tissue off, and then gently wash your face to remove any residue. Pat dry and moisturize as usual.

Alternatively, you can leave out the tissue and simply apply 3-5 layers of egg white, being sure to let each layer dry in between applications. If you do not let the layers dry, this will not work!

Remedies to Get Rid of Blackheads #3 - Honey and Milk Pore Strips

Milk and honey both have properties that are good for skin. Honey has antibacterial properties, and the lactic acid in milk is said to help keep skin soft and supple. The main purpose here though is, when mixed together, to act as an adhesive.

You will need…

-1 tablespoon of organic raw honey
-1 teaspoon of milk
-Clean strip of cotton

Directions

Mix 1 tablespoon of organic raw honey with 1 teaspoon of milk. Heat it for 5-10 seconds in the microwave, and then mix again to blend thoroughly.

When it’s a comfortable temperature, apply a thin layer over blackheads, and then gently but firmly pat a strip of dry, clean, cotton onto it.

Let dry (to play it safe, wait at least 20 minutes) and carefully peel the strip away. Rinse with cold water and moisturize as usual.

Remedies to Get Rid of Blackheads #4 - Cinnamon & Honey Strips

It sounds like a delicious candy, but cinnamon and honey make a wonderful combination for getting rid of blackheads.

Again, the anti-bacterial agents in the honey can help keep away bacteria that are causing acne (not necessarily blackheads, but still a bonus) as well as act as the adhesive to pull out anything clogging your pores.

Cinnamon improves circulation, and this increased blood flow gives your skin a smooth, healthy, glow.

You will need…

- 1 part cinnamon powder
-1 part organic, raw, honey
-Clean strips of cotton

Directions

Mix the honey and the cinnamon together until you have enough paste to cover the affected area. Apply in a thin layer over the blackheads and then press a strip of clean cotton over it.

Let it sit for 3-5 minutes before removing and rinsing your face. Don’t forget to follow up with a moisturizer!

Remedies to Get Rid of Blackheads #5 - H2O Daily Blackhead Treatment

While pore strips and face masks work wonders, they can only be used several times a week to avoid drying your skin out to much.

If you want to do something daily to prevent your blackheads, a gentle rinsing with water 1-2 times a day is the way to go. This keeps things that can make your pores appear larger-such as excess sebum and dead skin-flushed away and your pores clear.

Be sure to use a light moisturizer when you are done to prevent your skin from trying to produce excess sebum to accommodate for dryness.

You will need…

-Fresh water
-A clean fluffy towel
-Moisturizer

Directions

Twice a day splash your face with clean, fresh water. Pat dry with a soft towel and apply moisturizer as usual. I suggest doing this early afternoon (so you wash away anything that has built up in the first part of the day) and evening, but morning and evening works as well.

Remedies to Get Rid of Blackheads #6 - Toner for Tighter Pores

Since blackheads are caused by open, clogged pores reacting to oxygen, it only makes sense that “shrinking” your pores down will help.

Lemon juice is just the astringent substance needed to get the job done, however, it can lighten skin temporarily and it does make you sensitive to the sun, so load up on sunscreen if you plan on using this method in the summertime.

If you have sensitive skin, try diluting the lemon juice with water first.

You will need…

-1 lemon
-cotton balls
-A small bottle

Directions

Rinse your face and pat dry. Squeeze the lemon juice into a small bottle and then use just enough to dampen a cotton ball. Apply to affected areas 3-4 times a week, at bedtime.

When you wake up, rinse your face with lukewarm water and apply moisturizer as usual. Store the rest of the juice in the refrigerator for up to a week. Be aware-the juice can sting sometimes!

Remedies to Get Rid of Blackheads #7 - Sweat It Out

Although sweat glands and hair follicle pores aren’t the same thing, sweating can still help minimize blackheads. When you work up enough of a sweat, the liquid naturally flows over and softens/flushes anything clogging your pores.

It is absolutely vital, however, that you wash your face immediately before and immediately afterwards, otherwise the affect can be detrimental.

If you leave on make up or anything before this the sweat can carry it into your pores, and if you don’t wash afterwards not only is all that stuff still in there but now there’s dried sweat blocking up your pores as well.

So on one hand sweat can cleanse pores, on the other; it could also clog them. Be sure to do it right from the start!

You will need…

-Motivation to exercise OR a steam room/sauna
-Fresh water
-A clean fluffy towel

Directions

Rinse your face, than work up a good sweat. Rinse your face with water, than pat dry with a clean fluffy towel. Moisturize as usual.

Remedies to Get Rid of Blackheads #8 - Baking Soda & Water

A little baking soda goes a long way for blackheads, but don’t overdo it, as it can seriously dry out your skin thanks to its saltiness.

While pH may or may not have a role to play in blackheads, the biggest reason baking soda helps is because of it’s small, fine, granules that can work as a natural and inexpensive way to occasionally exfoliate and remove anything clogging your pores (and therefore causing blackheads.)

You will need…

-1 part baking soda
-Fresh water

Directions

Mix water with enough baking soda to form a thick, but spreadable, paste. Using a gentle circular motion, massage the paste into your skin. Rinse thoroughly with plain water, pat your face dry, and then make sure you moisturize.

Remedies to Get Rid of Blackheads #9 - Cleansing Sugar Scrub

Sometimes all you need is a good exfoliating followed up by moisturizing. Exfoliating does one very important job-it sloughs away dead skin cells. These are the skin cells that could potentially clog up your pores, leading to acne, whiteheads, and of course, blackheads.

Exfoliating also temporarily revives circulation and it leaves you with a healthy glow and soft skin. If possible use jojoba oil, as it is the oil (technically liquid wax) that most closely mimics our skins own sebum!

If you don’t have jojoba oil, grapeseed, olive, or sweet almond oil are all fine substitutes

You will need…

-1 cup of sugar (brown or white)
-4 tablespoons of jojoba oil
-An airtight glass jar
-Essential oils (optional)

Directions

Mix 4 tablespoons of oil into 1 cup of sugar, stirring until everything is fully incorporated. Add several drops of essential oil for fragrance if you like.

Store in a cool dark place in a glass jar for up to the shelf-life of the oil you chose to use (although if for some reason I haven’t used it all, I personally make a fresh batch after about 1 ½ months.)

Stir before using and then wet face, scoop some scrub onto your fingertips, and massage it over your skin in circular motions. Rinse with water and moisturize as usual.

Do this no more than 2-3 times a week, otherwise you risk drying out and/or irritating your skin.

Remedies to Get Rid of Blackheads #10 - Steam It Out

Steam may not literally open your pores (see blackhead myths below) but it can help reduce the appearance of them by softening up trapped sebum/dead skin cells that can fill out your pores and form blackheads.

You will need…

-A large bowl
-Water
-A soft clean towel

Directions

Fill a bowl with boiling water. Let it cool briefly, then cover your head with a towel and lean over it for 5-10 minutes to allow the steam to loosen anything in your pores (form the towel like a tent so no steam escapes.)
Be careful not to get to close or you risk burning your skin.

When you are done, rinse your face with warm water and pat firmly but gently dry with a clean towel (or gently wipe away the blackheads.) Moisturize as usual. Repeat this several times a week, or as needed.

Skin care is a balancing act - keep that in mind whenever you’re doing something that involves cleansing or washing (or pore strips.) Overdoing it is going to make matter much worse in the long run.

Pore strips are great when you really need them, but it’s best to try and prevent the blackheads in the first place by keeping up a good skin care regime.

Remedies to Get Rid of Blackheads #11 - Apple Cider Vinegar & Mint Toner

Make your own toner by mixing together ACV and crushed mint leaves. The apple cider vinegar can help breakdown the stuff causing the blackhead, while the mint creates a cooling “tightening” sensation on your skin.

If the area around the blackhead is swollen or irritated (e.g. you were picking at it even though you shouldn’t be) the menthol can help tame the inflammation. Inflammation can make it harder for whatever is clogging your pores to come loose in the first place.

You will need…

-3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
-3 tablespoons of finely chopped/crushed fresh mint leaves
-8 ounces of water
-Cotton balls

Directions

Combine vinegar and mint in a small bottle and let it sit for 1 week in cool dark place. Strain, add a cup of water, and store in the refrigerator for up to 6 days.

Use nightly, rinsing your face first with water and then using clean cotton balls to apply the toner. Leave on overnight or up to several hours (if you have sensitive skin) and rinse off in the morning. Follow up with a moisturizer.

2 Big Blackhead Myths

Like acne and so many other skin conditions, myths abound about how to get rid of blackheads. Below are the 2 most common.

Blackheads Are Caused By Dirt: Just in case you missed this part in the intro, blackheads are not caused by dirt. If you have larger pores, the dead skin/sebum build-up reacts with oxygen turning the substance black. Voila-a blackhead! A whitehead occurs when the pores’ opening is smaller and the sebum plug does not react to the oxygen.

You Can Shrink Your Pores: Nope, not possible. Pores are not muscles, therefore they cannot open or close. They are simply holes that house the hair follicles and sebaceous glands that are covering your body.

Some things, however, can make pores appear smaller-such as lemon juice, which is an astringent and causes contraction of skin tissue.

Otherwise, keeping them clear from blockages that can stretch them wider is the way to go.

Genetics, age, and sun exposure can all play a role in how large your pores appear, but there really is no magic trick to making them “shrink.”

What is a pore strip?

Some of these remedies are homemade versions of pore strips, but here is a brief explanation so you can experiment with making some on your own.

Pore strips are made up of some sort of adhesive, and something to attach said adhesive to (at home, this can be gauze or even a strip of clean cotton cut from an old shirt.)

When you pull the strip off, you pull the plug of sebum and dead skin cells out of the pore, and voila! The blackheads are gone.

Keep in mind this does not prevent blackheads - only gets rid of them after they have popped up.

The nice thing about making them at home is they save a decent amount of money, and you don’t have to worry about commercial adhesives on your face.

You can also watch this Video HERE to learn about other remedies to get rid of blackheads.

By Claire Goodall (a bee-obsessed natural-convert from Minnesota) who is a holistic health lover. She is the author of Everyday Roots Book.

It's a Book that she creates to help you replace the toxic products and medications in your home with healthier, all-natural alternatives.

It contains 215+ effective home remedies and covers everything you will need to protect your family and save money every month.


For more details about her book, take a look at the Everyday Roots Book.

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

10 Common Remedies to Get Rid of Warts

Warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which has over 100 types. Different types affect people in different ways, usually depending on the strength of their immune system. Here are 10 at home remedies to get rid of warts.

Warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which has over 100 types. Different types affect people in different ways, usually depending on the strength of their immune system.

Some strains (like the one that causes common warts) are relatively harmless, while others can pose much more serious problems. Because warts are caused by a virus, they can be spread to other parts of your body and to other people as well.

If mainstream methods have not worked for you (or you’d rather avoid treatments involving strange chemicals) try some of these straightforward home remedies for warts instead. They may not seem particularly extraordinary, but that makes them all the better in my opinion.

Remedies to Get Rid of Warts #1 - Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

ACV is an all-star in the world of home remedies, so it’s not surprising that it’s first on a list of how to get rid of your wart. It’s simple, and many people have found success with it.

Apple Cider Vinegar does not actually kill the virus, but because of its high acidity it attacks the “flesh” that makes up the wart, kills the physical wart itself, and allows it to peel naturally from the skin.

In theory, this takes the virus with it, and it shouldn’t return anytime soon. Expect there to be some soreness/swelling in the beginning, it’s normal, but of course you can stop the treatment if it’s too much.

After a few days your wart will mature to a lovely dark shade or black-this is good. Finally, it will come off. Let it come off on its own, or the core might remain.

You will need…

-Roughly 2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar
-Cotton balls or a piece of cotton cloth
-A bandage, gauze, or another piece of cloth

Directions

Soak a cotton ball or a piece of cotton fabric in apple cider vinegar. Allow it to saturate, and then gently press out the excess liquid so that it is not dripping all over when you apply it.

Place it over your wart, and secure it with a strip of gauze or cloth. Do this every night and remove during the day-you can leave it on during the day as well! It is not instant, but the wart should die and come off within 1-2 weeks.

Remedies to Get Rid of Warts #2 - “Milk” of Milkweed

Milkweed grows wild across the world, and can be found along the road, in fields, or your backyard. While it is true that it can be toxic due to a “poison” called cardiac glycoside, it must be taken internally to have a toxic effect.

Because of this, don’t keep it around kids or pets, and do not get it in your eyes.

A small amount of the sap on the wart has been used as a natural remedy for centuries, and was a favorite by Native Americans. A proteolytic enzyme found in milkweed is thought to “digest and dissolve” the wart.

You will need…

-A few dabs of the sap (the liquid that looks like milk)

Directions

File your wart or use a pumice stone to get it slightly exposed (no need to go crazy, just slough off a bit of the top layer). Break a few leaves off of the plant and squeeze the bottom of the stem to release more of the sap.

Apply enough sap to cover your wart. Leave on and reapply as needed. If you develop any rash or skin irritation, stop and rinse off immediately! If you have sensitive skin, it may be best to steer clear of the milkweed.

Remedies to Get Rid of Warts #3 - Banana mash

Similar to milkweed, bananas contain a proteolytic enzyme that eats away at the wart.

You will need…

-1 banana peel
-something to scrap the inside of the peel with

Directions

Twice a day, scrape the whitish mush off the inside of banana peel, and apply it to your wart. Wash your hands well afterwards to keep the warts from spreading. Repeat until the wart is gone.

Remedies to Get Rid of Warts #4 - Utilize Vitamin C

It is thought that applying Vitamin C directly to the wart will destroy the virus causing it. Using lemon juice not only gives an extra boost of vitamin C, but the acid content helps “kill it off” so to speak.

You will need…

-1 vitamin C tablet
-A mortar and pestle or something else to crush the tablet with
-A tad bit of fresh lemon juice OR some water will do in a pinch

Directions

Crush up 1 vitamin C tablet, and add enough lemon juice or water to make a paste. Cover this with a bandage and reapply daily.

Remedies to Get Rid of Warts #5 - Get your basil on

When you have a wart, it’s time to get your basil on-literally. Because basil has a multitude of anti-viral components, and it’s a virus causing the wart, it will speed up the process of the wart going away.

You will need…

-1/4 cup or so of fresh basil leaves
-Something to crush the leaves with
-Some form of bandage

Directions

Crush up ¼ cup or so of fresh, well-rinsed, basil leaves until they are mushy and “juicy.” Apply to the wart, cover with a bandage or clean cloth, and reapply daily until the wart is gone, about 1-2 weeks. You can adjust the amount if you need more or less.

Remedies to Get Rid of Warts #6 - Dandy-lions

Have some dandelions popping up in your yard? Don’t rip them up and dispose of them just yet. The milk found has been found useful in getting rid of warts, just be sure to keep up on applying it!

You will need…

-1 dandelion
-a bandage

Directions

Pull the head off of a dandelion and rub the milk onto the wart, and cover it with a bandage. Do this twice daily until the wart is gone.

Remedies to Get Rid of Warts #7 - Slather honey on it

Organic Manuka honey, harvested in New Zealand, is perhaps the best to use. It is one of the most potent types of honey in terms of the concentration of its antibacterial/antiviral properties.

It is also quite stable, unlike some other kinds of honey, so it can withstand temperature fluctuation without losing its benefits. In addition to this, it creates a sort of “occlusion therapy” which is essentially depriving the wart of oxygen and killing it (the theory behind duct tape, but honey is much better than adhesive.)

Verify that you are getting true Manuka honey from a reliable source before purchasing.

You will need…

-A teaspoon of raw honey
-A bandage

Directions

File away the wart if you can, and then cover it thoroughly in a thick layer of honey and wrap a piece of cloth around it. Leave it like this for 24 hours, changing the bandage and reapplying the honey daily.

Remedies to Get Rid of Warts #8 - Put a potato on it

There doesn’t seem to be a set reason why, but one of the most common natural remedies for warts you will hear about is rubbing a potato on it.

There’s not a whole lot of scientific backing to this theory, but over the centuries people have stuck to it and have found success. It’s worth a shot!

An interesting part of the original historical remedy is to bury the potato after use and when you dig it up 2 weeks later it will have a wart on it (and yours will be gone.) That is very much optional.

You will need…

-1 potato
-a knife
-a bandage

Directions

Peel a potato and cut a round slice off of it. Rub the slice on your wart 3 times a day, and if you find yourself resting, lay the peeled skin (potato-ey side down) over the wart for as long as possible. You can also bandage the potato to the toe and leave it on until the wart it gone, changing bandage daily.

Remedies to Get Rid of Warts #9 - Soak in Pineapple Juice

Pineapple juice softens the wart. It has a high level of acidity, and a special enzyme to dissolve and eat away at the wart. It will sting at first!

You will need…

-Pure organic pineapple juice
-A bowl
-A towel

Directions

2-3 times a day, soak your wart in pure pineapple juice for 3-5 minutes. Afterwards, pat the area completely dry. Filing before doing this might make the area a little too sensitive, in which case, steer clear of it.

Remedies to Get Rid of Warts #10 - Stick a needle in it

Warts are tricky little devils, they are a barrier that keeps the virus that causes them safe and undetected by your immune system-hence why they last so long.

It is our job then to alert our body to this invader, and you can do so by using a sterile needle (this is known as immunotherapy.) Once you poke it, your body knows something is up, and can attack it properly. It sounds like something out of a weird alien movie, but the body works in strange ways.

Directions

Getting rid of warts with a needle is a straightforward home remedy. Ice the wart until the area is good and numb and then hold a sharp needle over a flame to sterilize it. Poke it well into the wart, but don’t hold it there.

Poke the wart all over, and discard of the needle and wash your hands. Now that your body is alerted, it will attack the virus that is causing the wart.

These aren’t instant cures, but in the scheme of things, 1-2 weeks is a short time to have a wart, which can stick around for years.

In addition to this, you’re not spending a bunch of money to go to the doctor and use an extreme method of removal. Remember to be patient and most importantly diligent-just because something isn’t instantaneous does not make it ineffective.

Tips:

-Always wash your hands between touching your wart to keep it from spreading.

-If possible, use a pumice stone to slough off just the roughest outer layer of the wart-it allows whatever you’re using to treat it easier access to the core.

-If using something like the banana to treat your wart, applying it to the dry pad of a Band-Aid is an easy way to keep it covered.

-Stay healthy-a good immune system and healthy body is the best way to prevent warts!

You can also watch this Video HERE to learn about other remedies to get rid of warts.

By Claire Goodall (a bee-obsessed natural-convert from Minnesota) who is a holistic health lover. She is the author of Everyday Roots Book.

It's a Book that she creates to help you replace the toxic products and medications in your home with healthier, all-natural alternatives.

It contains 215+ effective home remedies and covers everything you will need to protect your family and save money every month.


For more details about her book, take a look at the Everyday Roots Book.

Monday, July 18, 2016

12 Homemade Dandruff Treatments & Shampoos

Before reading on about treating your dandruff at home, make sure you actually have dandruff.  If you believe you have dandruff, than read on. Here are 12 homemade dandruff treatments to help you kick the crusties.


Before reading on about treating your dandruff at home, make sure you actually have dandruff.

Chances are a good amount of the people visiting this page will actually have dry scalp, which differs from dandruff in symptoms and treatment.

If you know you have dandruff, than read on. Below are 12 homemade dandruff treatments to help you kick the crusties.

1. Pour, Rinse, and Barely Repeat With Vinegar

Rinsing your hair with vinegar (specifically Apple Cider Vinegar or white vinegar) may sound like a dreadful idea, but it can be one of the most effective homemade dandruff treatments, because it actually addresses the root of the problem (pun very much intended.)

Put simply, dandruff is the result of skins cells maturing and dying too fast, building up, and causing irritation. Vinegar will get rid of the unwanted skin that would flake off into dandruff, and it won’t clog up your pores or cause more.

An overgrowth of fungus can also cause dandruff, and vinegar acts like a fungicide.  Using it is straightforward, simple, and is probably easier on your hair than some shampoos out there.

Just don’t wash with it before a business meeting in a stuffy room-the biggest downfall is that your hair will smell like vinegar until you shower again (but it does go away.)

You will need…

-1/2 cup warm water
-1/2 cup ACV or white vinegar
-A cup

Directions

Mix together the warm water and vinegar in a cup. The total amount may be varied to be more or less depending on how much hair you have.

Pour the mixture over your hair, scrub it around gently for several minutes, and then rinse it thoroughly with water (only water!) Wait about 8-12 hours before taking a normal shower. Repeat once every week or two weeks, depending on how often you feel you need it.

2. Break It Up With Baking Soda

Baking soda is just an all-around useful thing to have in the house. It plays a large part in a lot of natural home remedies, and for good reason-it usually works! It helps to remove dandruff for a number of reasons.

First, it mildly exfoliates, which gets rid of the excess dead skin. It’s also kills off acts as a fungicide, and a common fungus that occurs on everyone’s scalp can cause dandruff if it becomes overly abundant.

In addition, its tiny particles can be useful in actually removing those loose flakes stuck in your hair- instead of just breaking the pieces of skin up into smaller pieces.

You will need…

-1 tablespoon of baking soda
-1 cup of water
-A few drops of rosemary oil (optional)

Directions

Mix one tablespoon of baking soda to every one cup of warm water. If you’re using an old (clean) shampoo or soap bottle, shake up the mixture and apply generously. Otherwise, stir it before you use it. Do this in place of shampoo, daily if possible.

Your hair may feel quite dry in the beginning, but its natural oils will restore themselves soon, and they will be much more balanced than when using some commercial shampoo.

If you feel you absolutely must use shampoo (and really try the baking soda alone first if you can) you can add a teaspoon of baking to a handful of shampoo and use that instead. The rosemary oil is optional, but some people find rosemary helps dandruff and think it has a pleasant scent.

3. Have Fun With Fenugreek

Fenugreek is a plant that is used commonly as a spice, particularly in Indian cuisine; however it serves medicinal purposes as well. Fenugreek seeds have a composition that is rich in protein and amino acids, encouraging healthy hair/hair growth and warding off those wicked flakes in the process.

A little bonus-its high concentration of lecithin (a natural emollient) can help make hair stronger overall, and many people find that it leaves their hair silky smooth and soft.

You will need…

-2 tablespoons of Fenugreek seeds (check a health food store if they aren’t at your grocery store)
-A bowl of water
-Something to grind the seeds with

Directions

Soak the seeds in 1-2 cups of water overnight. The next morning, grind them into a fine paste and apply to your scalp. Leave it applied for 30-45 minutes, then wash with mild shampoo or water.

4. Treat Your Scalp To Neem Leaves

Neem leaves (also an Indian herb) make a great all-natural home remedy for your dandruff. Their properties not only relieve itching, they act as an antifungal as well, inhibiting the over-growth of dandruff causing fungus. Be aware that some people find its smell to be overwhelming.

You will need…

-At least 2 handfuls of neem leaves
-4-5 cups of hot water

Directions

Add two handfuls of neem leaves to 4 or 5 cups of hot water. Let it stand overnight. The next morning strain the liquid and use it to rinse your hair.

You can also try making a paste out of leaves, applying it to your scalp, and letting it sit for about an hour before washing it off with water.

5. Utilize Listerine

Listerine was actually created in 1879 by a doctor in Missouri and used as a powerful surgical antiseptic for dentists. When the good doctor sold it to a pharmaceutical company, it uses broadened and it became the first over-the-counter mouth wash ever sold in the United States.

In the 1930’s and ‘40s, one its original purposes was also to fight dandruff. It may seem random, but consider that Listerine fights fungus, and one of the most common cause of dandruff is an overabundance of…you guessed it, fungus.

You will need…

-Water
-Listerine Mouthwash (preferably not green or blue as they might stain your hair)
-Spray bottle (optional)

Directions…

Mix 2 parts water with 1 part Listerine. After you shampoo, spray or pour the solution onto your scalp, massage in well, and let sit for 30 minutes before rinsing with water.

6. Get Some Sun

It’s not known exactly why, but there have been links between dandruff and exposure to sunlight. There have been many cases in which the severity of dandruff lessened when the afflicted person spent more time in the sun.

It’s possible that instead of dry weather in the winter causing dandruff, it’s really the lack of sunlight. Maybe the light helps dry up some of the excess oil, or maybe getting a little time outside in the sun makes for a happier healthier human overall.

Whatever the exact reason is, it’s something to try, and it’s probably one of the most straightforward homemade dandruff treatments you can try.

Directions

Spend at least 10-15 minutes out in the sunlight every day that you can. Make sure to limit your time though - too much sun and its UV rays can be harmful to your skin, hair, and health.

7. Take Some Aspirin

Aspirin can help with more than just headaches - it’s also one of the easiest homemade dandruff treatments. Pure Aspirin uses a large percentage of Salicylic Acid, which is an active ingredient in many commercial anti-dandruff shampoos.

Salicylic Acid has fungicidal and anti-microbial properties to fight the extra flakes caused by fungus, while the Aspirin helps with the inflamed skin that often goes hand-in-hand with severe cases of dandruff.

You will need…

-2 white Aspirin tablets
-Shampoo

Directions…

Crush up the Aspirin until it becomes a fine powder. Add it to your regular shampoo before use, making sure to leave it in your hair for about 2 minutes before rinsing completely.

8. Eat Healthy

You knew it would be on here, somewhere. Eating healthy helps every aspect of your well-being. These days we’re learning more and more that diet is truly vital to our health, so it comes as no surprise that it would have some impact on skin conditions, including dandruff.

Of course, food that is extremely fatty and/or unhealthy should be avoided - but that’s common knowledge whether you follow it or not.

What you may not know it what to eat to help your scalp and why, so check out the list below of some foods you should aim to eat that may help you get rid of those pesky flakes-and keep them from coming back.

Veggies: Green leafy vegetables in particular impact how our skin behaves. It encourages healthy hair, skin, and nail growth, so shoot for stuff like broccoli, kale, and lettuce (NOT iceberg) to add to your diet.

Fish Oils: Fish oil can make a difference in the overall make-up of your skin. Taking fish oil supplements will not cure your dandruff, but it can help lessen its severity and/or prevent it.

Lean Proteins: To minimize dandruff, try eating more lean proteins. They help to build hair and skin and keep it coming in healthy. Aim for fish and non-meat proteins, such as eggs, nuts, and beans.

9. Take Advantage Of Lemons

Lemons have a tough reputation, but they might be able to shake it - if they help you shake the flakes first. The acidity in pure freshly squeezed lemon juice contains acids that can help break down the fungus that is often the cause of dandruff outbreaks.

It’s also free from harsh chemicals and other unnatural ingredients that often do more harm than good to our hair and scalp - plus it leaves you smelling clean and fresh. So remember, the next time life gives you dandruff, give it lemons.

You will need…

-2 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, divided
-1 cup of water

Directions

Massage 2 tablespoons of lemon juice into your scalp and let it sit for a minute. Mix 1 teaspoon of lemon juice into 1 cup of water and rinse your hair with it. Repeat daily until no longer needed.

10. Use Tea Tree Oil

While excess oil can be a root cause of dandruff, some oils can still be helpful in keeping it under control. Tea tree oil has been used medicinally for centuries.

Aboriginals in Australia would pick the leaves of the tea tree plant and break them (much like we do with aloe) before using them as a topical treatment for burns, cuts, bites, and so on.

The oil extracted from those leaves have fungicidal properties and it is overall soothing to the skin-especially when it is sore or itchy.

Be aware that tea tree oil, while safe for topical use, should NOT be ingested under ANY circumstance.

You will need…

-1 tablespoon of tea tree oil
-1 cup of warm water
-A squirt bottle

Directions

Pour 1 tablespoon of tea tree oil into 1 cup of warm water in a squirt bottle. Shake well.

After shampooing, spray the mixture all over your scalp, massage, and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Pat the excess moisture out, but don’t wash it out.

11. Enjoy Aloe

Aloe Vera gel is synonymous with “ahhhhh…relief” in many people’s minds. While it may be used more commonly to help minor burns, it can also help give you relief from dandruff.

It works because its constituents inhibit the process of skin cell proliferation. In other words, the stuff that makes it up slows down how fast your cells grow, and since dandruff often is caused by cells growing and dying too rapidly, the aloe can help restore them to normalcy.

You will need…

-1 bottle of Aloe Vera gel

Directions

Apply Aloe Vera gel to the scalp 15 minutes prior to washing your hair. After 15 minutes, shampoo and wash it as normal.

12. Salt It

Salt is something most of us have lying around, something we use every day. But did you know that it can also help get rid of dandruff? It’s slightly abrasive crystals will work as a natural exfoliator, getting off the extra oil and dead skin flakes.

It is effective because it clears a path, if you will, for the shampoo which can sink in and work to its fullest potential. While rubbing salt on your scalp may not sound like spa treatment, it can actually feel quite pleasant, especially if your skin is itchy.

You will need…

-3 tablespoons of salt (Epsom salt works well if you happen to have it, but regular table salt is fine too.

Directions

Gently massage 3 tablespoons of salt into your dry or slightly dampened scalp for 2-3 minutes. Shampoo immediately afterwards.

You can also watch this Video HERE to learn about other homemade dandruff treatments.

Tips

If you’re not sure how you feel about washing your hair with some of the natural stuff used to treat dandruff, here are some tips that can still help you get rid of it at home.

1. Switch Up Shampoos

You find that one shampoo…that one anti-dandruff shampoo that finally works. Deep down, you know it’s the shampoo for you. Then, without any warning, it just…quits on you. The dandruff starts coming back, and it’s time to realize that you have to move on if you want to shake the flake.

This isn’t uncommon-people often build up a tolerance to a shampoo and its active ingredient. If yours stops working abruptly this may be the case, so switch as soon as you can.

To keep this from happening, you can switch up what you’re using every month or so. Find 3 different kinds of anti-dandruff shampoo, each with a different formulation, and rotate them to prevent them from becoming ineffective.

2. Obey The Law Of L.R.R.

Lather, rinse, repeat. We see it stamped on the back of shampoo bottles, but really, how many of us lather twice? I know most of the times that I have, it’s usually because I forgot I had already shampooed (embarrassing, I know.)

That direction is there for a reason though - it allows the shampoo to work at its best and really do what it is supposed to do.

Next time you’re in the shower, do an initial lathering before rinsing it off to get rid of most of the flakes and oil buildup. To really fight the dandruff, lather a second time and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then the shampoo can penetrate the skin cells fully and really go to work.

3. Shampoo More

Many people are of the belief that dandruff is caused by dry skin, and try to make up for this by shampooing less so as to not strip the skin of its natural oils. They may also use special shampoo for dandruff when they really have dry scalp, which will just dry it out even more.

One of the biggest causes of dandruff is oily skin - that is why the skin flakes are often greasy, not dry. The best way to combat this is to shampoo more rather than less.

Since that dandruff is a build-up or excess of rapidly maturing skin cells, scrubbing with shampoo can help get the itchy layer off naturally. It can also help ward off overgrowth of the Malassezia fungus.

Dandruff can seem like an unconquerable enemy, but there are a number of effective ways to manage it and lessen its severity - and not all of them have to involve harsh chemicals or an expensive trip to the dermatologist.

The next time you get down about shaking the flake remember that some of the most effective homemade dandruff treatments could be right in front of you, maybe even as close as the salt shaker on your dining room table.

By Claire Goodall (a bee-obsessed natural-convert from Minnesota) who is a holistic health lover. She is the author of Everyday Roots Book.

It's a Book that she creates to help you replace the toxic products and medications in your home with healthier, all-natural alternatives.

It contains 215+ effective home remedies and covers everything you will need to protect your family and save money every month.


For more details about her book, take a look at the Everyday Roots Book.
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