Natural Remedies for Head Lice

What can I do at home to treat and prevent lice naturally?

Common, conventional treatments (over-the-counter and prescription) such as: pyrethrins (permethrin lotion 1%), benzyl alcohol lotion, ivermectin lotion, malathion lotion, or lindane shampoo 1% – have been know to be harmful to human health, especially in the case of small children, and likewise harmful to the environment.

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Nevertheless, there are proven, very effective natural remedies for lice that do not use harmful chemicals.

They are as follows:

1. Nit Comb.

Use a fine-toothed nit comb to remove lice from the hair, working through the hair one small section at a time. Tea tree oil can also be applied directly to a fine-toothed comb and combed through dry hair with each brushing. Combing the hair at least 3 times a day for the first week — and then nightly for a week — will help to gradually remove eggs and newly hatched lice. This is one of the most effective ways of removing head lice without the use of insecticidal shampoos. Note: Make sure you clean out the lice comb by soaking it in vinegar for at least 30 minutes or by boiling it in water for 5-10 minutes.

2. Melaleuca (tea tree oil).

This essential oil is an all-natural insecticide and an amazing treatment for head lice. To use: (a) add 3-5 drops of Melaleuca (tea tree oil) to every one ounce of natural shampoo (b) mix 3 tablespoons of carrier oil (olive, coconut, olive, coconut, jojoba, or sesame) and a teaspoon of Melaleuca (tea tree oil) together in a bowl…apply to hair for 30-45 minutes…shampoo normally. (c) add 10-20 drops directly into the washing machine when washing infected items. (d) add 15 drops to 2 ounces of water and spray onto hair while combing with a nit comb.

3. Neem Oil Shampoo.

Neem oil, like tea tree oil, is also considered all-natural insecticide. Used by gardeners safely to prevent and kill pests on plants…it is just as safe and effective in the treatment of lice. Once a lice infestation is realized begin using a neem oil based shampoo — or add few teaspoons of neem oil to your normal shampoo.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar.

Before and after shampooing, rinse your hair with vinegar…or soak hair with vinegar and leave it on for a few minutes before combing with a nit comb. Towel-dry hair. This will help remove nits from the hair shaft.

5. Healing Oil Treatment.

High in anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and natural insecticide properties sesame seed and neem oils are the base for this healing oil treatment. Wisk together 1/4 cup of sesame seed oil, 1/8 cup neem oil, 10 drops Melaleuca (tea tree oil), 5 drops each eucalyptus and rosemary essential oils, and 10 drops of lavender essential oils. Begin by rinsing the hair with apple cider vinegar and allow it to dry (this will help dissolve the glue-like substance produces by the nits). Apply healing oil treatment to the hair and scalp, cover with a shower cap, and leave-in for 6-8 hours or overnight. Use a fine-toothed nit comb to remove all the dead lice and nits. Shampoo normally. Apply this treatment every day for five days to eradicate lice.

6. Coconut oil.

Just as with the above healing oil treatment…prior to applying coconut oil rinse the hair with apple cider vinegar and allow it to dry. Apply coconut oil to the hair, cover with a shower cap, and leave-in for 6-8 hours or overnight. Comb hair with a nit comb. Shampoo normally. Apply this treatment to the hair and scalp every day for five days to eradicate lice. Note: For a powerhouse treatment, add several drops of ylang-ylang and anise essential oils to the coconut oil prior to application.

7. Garlic.

Grind 8 to 10 cloves of garlic all together to create a paste. Add in 2 to 3 teaspoons of lime juice or water (if using water add 10-15 drops of tea tree oil) and apply this to the scalp. Leave in this paste for ½ hour and rinse out thoroughly.

8. Thyme.

Prepare a strong herbal infusion using either fresh or dried thyme leaves and flowers. Use this preparation as a rinse or spray onto hair while combing with a nit comb multiple times a day.

9. Essential oils.

Add any of the following essential oils you have on hand to a carrier oil (such as olive, coconut, jojoba, or sesame) and apply to hair — using the same method as with the coconut oil and healing oil treatment — to kill lice: Melaleuca (tea tree oil), lavender, rosemary, clove, eucalyptus, cinnamon, thyme, peppermint, oregano, or ylang ylang

Additional measures that must be followed:

According to the CDC, lice and their eggs are killed by exposure for 5 minutes to temperatures greater than 53.5°C (128.3°F). Note: Personal items such as hats, grooming aids, and towels that come in contact with the hair of an infested person should never be shared.

1. Machine wash and dry clothing, stuffed animals, bed linens, hats, towels, and other items that the infested person wore or used during the 2 days before treatment using the hot water (130°F) laundry cycle and the high heat drying cycle. Clothing and items that are not washable can be dry-cleaned or sealed in a plastic bag and stored for 2 weeks.
2. Soak combs and brushes in hot water (at least 130°F) for 5-10 minutes.
3. Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.

Note

– After each treatment, check the hair and comb with the nit comb every 2-3 days to decrease the risk of re-infestation.
– Continue to check hair for 2-3 weeks to be sure all lice and nits are gone.
– See a trained medical professional for proper diagnosis and treatment of head lice and/or if any concerns arise.

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