We all strive for beautiful, healthy and effortless hair, and with essential oils, it can be achieved. But for those who suffer from dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis, these conditions can make dreams of a healthy scalp and hair seem distant. 

Most flaking and scaling of the scalp is due to the fungi and yeast microorganisms of Malassezia globosa and Malassezia restricta that feed off the oils on our skin and in our hair producing oleic acid that irritates the scalp and sets off an immune response that makes skin cells replicate rapidly.[1] 

Unfortunately, synthetic treatments – a common fix for these scalp conditions – are met with drug resistance from fungi. Synthetic drugs used for dandruff treatments also come with side effects, such as:[2]  

• Burning at the application site
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Itching
• Skin rash
• Nausea
• Hair discoloration
• Dryness 
• Oily scalp 
• Hair loss

The great news is that essential oils are proving their ability to fight the fungi that cause dandruff and an itchy scalp. 

• In a review of research studies, a number of essential oils show promise due to certain components' ability to disrupt the "microbial growth associated with dandruff formation” - all without side effects if used properly.[2] 
• These oils contain components of terpenes and phenols that are strong antimicrobials and assist with reducing biofilm production of the organisms that cause dandruff and dermatitis.[3]

Let's get a better understanding of the essential oils in Edens Garden’s Healthy Scalp essential oil blend by answering a few big questions. 

Which essential oil is best for the scalp?

Essential oils, when blended together, fortify and support the overall activity and capability of the blend - and this is true in the fight for scalp health against dandruff and itchiness. There are a number of essential oils that have shown incredible promise in treating dandruff and itchy scalp conditions naturally and without the side effects of synthetic medicine. 

Edens Garden’s Healthy Scalp essential oil blend is a force of nature against fungi and dandruff that includes Cedarwood, Rhododendron, Geranium, Rosemary and Tea Tree oil. Many studies have also looked at other oils including Lavender oil, Rosemary oil, Peppermint essential oil, Eucalyptus oil, Lemongrass oil and even Lime oil with promising results for a multitude of reasons which inhibit fungal growth and in turn, control the body’s overproduction of skin cells.[4] 

What essential oils are good for your scalp and hair growth? 

If you experience scalp issues and thinning hair due to dandruff and fungal conditions as well as subsequent hair loss (even from conditions of alopecia areata), according to research here is what can help you grow thicker hair: 

• Within a 6 month period, a group study compared Rosemary oil to Minoxidil. The study showed that both groups saw a significant increase in hair growth over the long term. It was also noted that Rosemary oil doesn't have the side effects of causing an itchy scalp as Minoxidil does.[5]

Cedarwood essential oil has also shown promise in its ability to “stimulate the scalp and promote hair growth.”  Its potential as a natural treatment for hair loss works by balancing oil production of the scalp. As an antifungal and antibacterial, Cedarwood can also help to reduce dandruff.[6]  

Is it OK to put essential oils on your scalp? 

Using essential oils diluted with a carrier oil for scalp health such as Argan oil or mixed into a scalp spray with a gentle hydrosol of Peppermint or Tea Tree is recommended. 

Since essential oils are highly concentrated products, using undiluted essential oils is unnecessary since they can cause the avoidable side effects of irritation, hives, redness and burning. The essential oils included in Healthy Scalp when diluted have the following results – Tea Tree and Cedarwood reduce itchiness and microbial load on the scalp while Geranium and Rhododendron oil assist with pacifying skin irritations by normalizing skin regeneration. 

If you would prefer to avoid using carrier oil on your scalp, try making a DIY scalp spray. We recommend using essential oils for the scalp at a maximum of 3-5% dilution and to follow safe dilution guidelines.

What essential oils can I use for an itchy scalp? 

In Edens Garden Healthy Scalp essential oil hair care blend, Cedarwood and Tea Tree are known anti-itch essential oils. What's more, they can reduce redness and irritation that cause itchiness. 

If you’re experiencing an itchy scalp or itchy skin, it would be best to make yourself a skin spray and use Peppermint hydrosol. Hydrosols act as therapeutic water for the blend and are made during the essential oil-making process as a water by-product. It’s a great way to get the best of both worlds and your scalp will thank you.

What essential oil helps scalp inflammation?

What's greatest about our Healthy Scalp essential oil blend is that it already contains all the essential oils you need to assist with your dandruff and dermatitis issues. All of the oils in the blend with the exception of Tea Tree essential oil are anti-inflammatory and include Cedarwood, Geranium, Rhododendron and Rosemary essential oil. These oils are all strong antifungals and include Tea Tree oil which will help to reduce fungi growth on the scalp to keep your scalp itch and inflammation free. What's more, you can use Healthy Scalp for issues of psoriasis and eczema. Simply dilute the blend to 1% (5-6 drops) in Cucumber Seed carrier oil for safe and effective calming of any redness and itchiness.

If you are interested in naturally promoting thick, healthy hair, learn about our Hair Love essential oil blend.

SOURCES:

1. How Do I Get Rid of Dandruff? https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5ptmSkM8jnkCjRvR8x61xN2/how-do-i-get-rid-of-dandruff#:~:text=The%20fungus%20that%20is%20the,rapid%20turnover%20of%20skin%20cells
2. Promising Essential Oils/Plant Extracts in the Prevention and Treatment of Dandruff Pathogenesis https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35642120/
3. Essential Oils as Potential Source of Anti-dandruff Agents: A Review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34254910/
4. Potential of Essential Oil as Anti-Dandruff in Scalp Treatment Preparations https://journal.unpak.ac.id/index.php/fitofarmaka/article/view/FJIF.v12i2.5600
5. How to Use Rosemary Oil for Hair Growth https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319444#:~:text=By%206%20months%2C%20both%20groups,only%20in%20the%20long%20term
6. Essential Oils for Hair Care https://www.webmd.com/beauty/natural-oils