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Good Life Letter: Sesame oil for dandruff
15th June 2007
Can you imagine the advert that goes like this...?
'Take two bottles of shampoo into the shower?'
'Not me, I simply take in a bottle of sesame oil!'
Well, weird as it may sound (and don't a LOT of my emails?) this is actually a valid remedy for that most embarrassing of minor ailments: dandruff.
And yes, though it may be an odd thing to do, it's actually a good natural remedy that doesn't involve buying yet another boastful brand of overpriced shampoo from your chemist.
What really causes dandruff
Dandruff is caused by a reaction to a yeast called 'Pityrosporum ovale'. (Sounds bad, I know. Let's just say I wouldn't make my bread out of it!)
The reaction causes you to shed more and more dead cells from the surface of your scalp.
But here's the curious part...
It's not actually dry parts of your skin where dandruff occurs, but the greasy parts, where the skin glands are more active. So don't confuse dandruff for dry skin.
It's quite the opposite.
Nevertheless, here's how to sort out your dandruff for good.
Remove margarine and oils from your diet. Except for sesame oil, which you shouldn't eat, but rub into your scalp instead. Yes, yes, it sounds ridiculous, but it does prevent the skin from peeling.
Don't wear a hat. Sunlight actually stops pityrosporum ovale yeast from growing. So get more light on your noggin doctor's orders.
Don't scratch! Even when you shampoo, rub gently and don't dig your nails in. Fingernails damage the roots.
Don't dye your hair. If you're gagging for Grecian 2000 or just hankering toreturn to the days of punk, forget it. Hair dye reduces the number of good bacteria on your scalp, some of which are essential in fighting dandruff yeast.
Use tea tree oil. In the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, research showed that a 5% tea tree oil shampoo improved dandruff by 41%.
Give it thyme. I found this interesting solution while surfing the internet. You should boil 4 tablespoons of dried time in half a litre of water for 10 minutes. After it has cooled, strain it through a sieve. Massage the liquid into your scalp 3 times a week and leave it there overnight. (This potion can also be used to turn your neighbour into a newt, so use wisely.)
Look for zinc. When you choose your antidandruff shampoo, try one with zincpyrithione, which is reputedly very good. Or you can try taking a zinc supplement. It could help.
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As with most chronic diseases and conditions, getting the right nutrition is vital. Make sure you get vitamins B6, B12 and F into your diet.
A final thing...
Stress is also a factor because you may not realise it, but when you are stressed you rub and scratch at your scalp.
For some good free information on stress, take a look at http://www.goodlifeletter.co.uk/news/110-less-anxiety-and-more-sleep-without-drugs.asp
This is an old letter from my archive that shows you how to deal with stress. Or if you're in a rush, here are some immediate drug-free tips to follow.
7 ways to lower your stress
- Up your intake of B vitamins, especially B6, B3 and B12. They help regulate the body's response to stress and maintain a healthy nervous system.
- Calcium, magnesium and zinc as well and C supplements can help calm the nervous system and so help treat insomnia.
- Valerian is well-known as a natural sleep aid and sedative. Recent trials have found it can work as well as drugs like Valium, without the side-effects. (Try and find a standardised extract.)
- Some studies also suggest that Passion Flower can lower anxiety that leads to sleeplessness. If you get your hands on a herbal remedy that combines Passion Flower and Valerian extracts, this will be more even more effective.
- Chaste Tree is a herb that is said to increase your body's natural production of melatonin. This helps you have a more restful sleep
- L-theanine, an amino acid derived from Green Tea, reduces anxiety. Some people report that it works as well as prescription medications, without being addictive or habit-forming
- Seditol is a branded product that was acts as an anti-stress and anti-anxiety formula. But it's made of two entirely natural herbal ingredients, magnolia and ziziphus. Users have reported that improved sleep, too.
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I suggest you try one of the above remedies daily for three months and then take a two-week break.
And finally today, a tip from a Good Life reader....
A dance that could revitalise your energy
Reader C.D emailed me to say...
Went for a bike ride today. The first of the year. Now normally I do not last more than 10mins before my legs are like jelly and I am gasping. My husband complains that he has to WAIT for me!
Today he ate my dust, I left him for dead.
Have I spent the winter in the gym?
No. I discovered Nia dance. A completely new concept in dance exercise. Based on the pleasure of movement, not the "no pain no gain" principle.
Sounded right up my street. I have had so much fun dancing Nia that it does not seem like exercise at all. My muscles are toned, I feel great, have loads more energy, and have just started to lose weight. My tip? Type 'Nia Dance' into google and see if there's a class in your local area.
More from me soon. I'm dancing off to get my lunch!
Yours, as ever,
Ray Collins
The Good Life Letter
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