Authored by Dr Harsh Sharma, Edited and Peer Reviewed by Dr. Pooja Sharma
Published July 19, 2024, Last updated July 19, 2024
Dandruff is a common scalp disorder which affects almost half of the population. It causes the skin on the scalp to flake. Itching may also be present on the scalp. The following homeopathic medicines for dandruff are very effective-
Cantharis
Kali Sulph
Graphites
Natrum Mur
Thuja
Before we come to the indications suggesting the use of these homeopathic medicines for dandruff, let us first understand the problem a little better.
What is Dandruff?
As I have mentioned at the outset, dandruff is a skin condition in which the skin on the scalp tends to flake. There are dry, whitish or yellowish scales of skin which fall off the scalp. The scales are nothing but dead skin cells that have grown rapidly. People tend to notice dandruff while wearing dark clothes or shirts when these whitish scales are prominently visible. It can cause some embarrassment to the patient. Itching is another common symptom that is present in such cases. Dandruff is not contagious or infectious.
What causes Dandruff?
There may be a number of causes of dandruff, some of the common ones being-
Seborrheic Dermatitis – People who have seborrheic dermatitis have inflammation of the skin and tend to have more dandruff.
Dry skin – Having an excessively dry skin is also a major cause of dandruff.
Oily, irritated skin – If you have oily skin, it is an indication that the oil producing glands are on an overdrive. It could be another reason for dandruff.
Fungal infections – Fungal infections are common and can cause dandruff.
Sensitivity to cosmetics and chemicals – Chemicals present in medicated oils, hair colours, gels and other cosmetics can also cause dandruff.
Skin diseases like Psoriasis or Eczema – If one is suffering from skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis, one is likely to have dandruff.
Treating Dandruff
It is very important to determine the right cause of dandruff. In case, the problem is occurring because of a pre-existing disease like Seborrheic Dermatitis or Psoriasis or Eczema, one needs to treat that particular disease first. As long as such a disease exists, dandruff will persist. In cases where dandruff is due to a fungal infection, one needs to get rid of the fungal infection first. When the dandruff occurs due to sensitivity to some chemicals, one needs to avoid those chemicals first.
Managing Dandruff
Taking care of skin hygiene is very important if one has to manage dandruff. One needs to maintain a clean and clear scalp. Washing one’s hair regularly at least twice a week with a soap or shampoo is important. At the same time, one should be aware that overdoing washing can also aggravate dandruff. There is no need to shampoo your hair every single day. If you get too much sweat, it invites all sorts of microorganisms, who get an ideal place to multiply. Therefore, one needs to take care of the hygiene.
Homeopathic treatment of Dandruff
Homoeopathic treatment of dandruff is far more effective than any other system of medicine because it focuses on treating the root cause of dandruff and not just the most superficial symptoms. Treating any disease with focus on the most prominent symptom is just applying patchwork to mask the disease. Homeopathy does not believe in this. It may take some time to show results but the results are long lasting and rather permanent.
5 Best Homeopathic medicines for Dandruff
The following 5 medicines are commonly put to use in the treatment of dandruff. This does not in any way mean that only these 5 medicines are enough to take care of all the cases. One often needs to go beyond these to find the right medicine for many patients. Still, the following 5 medicines remain the mainstay of the treatment of dandruff.
1. Cantharis – One of the best homeopathic medicines for dandruff with vesicular eruptions
2. Kali – Sulph – One of the best homeopathic medicines for dandruff with yellowish scales
3. Graphites- One of the best homeopathic remedies for dandruff with eczematous eruptions
4. Natrum Mur – One of the best homeopathic medicines for dandruff with whitish scales
5. Thuja – One of the best homeopathic remedies for dandruff with itching
Here I am giving a brief description of these medicines for your ready reference. This is by no means an exhaustive list of the symptoms that help in deciding the right choice of medicine. You should rely on the advice of your doctor as he or she will be able to uncover the symptom picture much better.
1.Cantharis – One of the best homeopathic medicines for dandruff with vesicular eruptions
When there are vesicular eruptions on the scalp with dandruff, Cantharis is one of the best homeopathic medicines for dandruff. There are mealy scales of dandruff on the scalp. This homeopathic medicine causes lot of inflammation and almost always affects the urinary system along with any other system or skin.
2. Kali – Sulph – One of the best homeopathic medicines for dandruff with yellowish scales
When the dandruff is in the form of yellowish scales, Kali Sulph is one of the best homeopathic medicines for dandruff. Profuse desquamation of skin accompanies all the ailments of this medicine. There may even be bald spots along with dandruff. Ringworm of scalp is also present in some cases in attendance with dandruff.
3. Graphites- One of the best homeopathic remedies for dandruff with eczematous eruptions
When there is presence of eczematous eruptions, Graphites is one of the best homeopathic medicines for dandruff. A bad odor may even emanate from the scalp. The eczema may be present on any part of the body. There may be oozing of thick sticky discharge from the eczema. Usually, the patient is fat, sensitive to cold and remains constipated.
4. Natrum Mur – One of the best homeopathic medicines for dandruff with whitish scales
When whitish scales are predominant, Natrum Mur is one of the best homeopathic medicines for dandruff. The skin of the body and the hairy parts, specially the scalp are usually oily. There may be crusty eruptions on the margins of scalp and behind the ears. All complaints may come from excessive use of common salt. The patient gets worse in the heat and sun.
5. Thuja – One of the best homeopathic remedies for dandruff with itching
When there is a lot of itching, Thuja is one of the best homeopathic medicines for dandruff. There is white scaly dandruff. Hair are dry and fall out. The patient is prone to skin eruptions and warts. Perspiration is sweetish and strong. Often, the patient traces his skin troubles to vaccination that he or she may have undergone.
