The Medicinal Herb Info site was created to help educate visitors about the often forgotten wisdom of the old ways of treating illnesses. Many of today's drugs and medicines were originally derived from natural ingredients, combinations of plants and other items found in nature.

We are not suggesting that you ignore the help of trained medical professionals, simply that you have additional options available for treating illnesses. Often the most effective treatment involves a responsible blend of both modern and traditional treatments.

We wish you peace and health!

Dandruff

Definition

Normal exfoliation of the epidermia of the scalp in the form of dry, white scales. May be worse in diseased condition. Sometimes due to seborrhea.
Back to Top

Causes

Caused sometimes by dysfunctional sebaceous glands in the scalp. When these glands secrete abnormally, the scalp forms scales that may itch and burn.
Over-the-counter ointments can do more harm than good. Consult the doctor. A dermatologist may possibly prescribe lotions that cleanse and dry with sulfur and resorcin or Deprosone cream.
Back to Top

Symptoms

Itching, burning, scales that are white, and scalp irritation (often from scratching during sleeptime).
Back to Top

Nutrients

Kelp tablets, 5 tablets per day, supplies needed minerals, especially iodine, for better hair growth and healing of the scalp.

Unsaturated fatty acids, taken as directed on the label (primrose oil and salmon oil help relieve pain and inflammation).

Vitamin B complex plus extra vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), 100 mg. twice daily with meals (use high stress formula).

Vitamin E, 400 IU per day, is needed for improved circulation.

Zinc lozenges, 5 per day, dissolved in mouth, taken for one week (protein metabolism depends on zinc and the scalp is primarily protein).

Vitamin A, 20,000 IU per day, helps prevent dry skin and aids in healing of tissue.

Beta-carotene, 15,000 IU per day, helps prevent dry skin and aids in healing of tissue.

Lecithin, 3 times per day, protects the scalp and strengthens cell membranes of the scalp and hair.
Back to Top

Herbs
  • Agave
  • Burdock
  • Butternut
  • Chaparral, used as hair rinse
  • Chamomile
  • Cleavers
  • Clover, red
  • Dandelion
  • Elm, English
  • Fern, maidenhair
  • Figwort
  • Goldenseal
  • Grape vine root
  • Hops
  • Indian Hemp, black
  • Ivy, English
  • Lady’s slipper
  • Nettle
  • Oak, white
  • Olive
  • Peach tree leaves
  • Periwinkle
  • Quassia
  • Rosemary
  • Sage
  • Sanicle
  • Soap bark
  • Yucca (soapweed)
  • Walnut, English
  • Willow

Back to Top

Recommendations

Avoid fried foods, dairy products, sugar, flour, chocolate, nuts, and seafood. Diet should consist of 50% to 75% raw foods. Eat soured products such as yogurt.

Don’t pick or scratch the scalp. Avoid irritating soaps and greasy ointments and creams. Make sure to wash the hair frequently and use non-oily shampoo. Try using a hair product that does not contain chemicals. Some people find that the sun helps clear up dandruff, but others that this is a problem, the dandruff becomes worse after sun exposure.

If antibiotics are used, be sure to take acidophilus or Megadophilus supplements to replace the “good” bacteria that are destroyed by antibiotics (antibiotics kill all bacteria, good and bad kinds). Also be sure to take extra vitamin B complex.
Back to Top

Bibliography

Buy It! The Herb Book, by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974.

Buy It! Back to Eden, by Jethro Kloss; Back to Eden Publishing Co., Loma Linda, CA 92354, Original copyright 1939, revised edition 1994

Buy It! The Complete Medicinal Herbal, by Penelope Ody, Dorling Kindersley, Inc, 232 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, First American Edition, copyright 1993

Buy It! Indian Herbalogy of North America, by Alma R. Hutchens, Shambala Publications, Inc., Horticultural Hall, 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, 1973

Buy It! Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke., Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10000

Buy It! Planetary Herbology, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. WI 53181., Copyright 1988, published 1992

Buy It! The Old Herb Doctor, by Joseph E. Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, copyright 1984, sixth printing 1994.

Buy It! Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Fifth Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements, by James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C., Avery Publishing Group, Inc., Garden City Park, NY

Buy It! Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, 15th Edition, F. A. Davis Company, 1915 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Buy It!The Magic of Herbs, by David Conway, published by Jonathan Cape, Thirty Bedford Square, London, England. (Out of print)

Back to Top

Share