29 Home Remedies for Dry Scalp

Dry scalp is a common problem these days. As the old saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure.” If you do not look after it initially, it aggravates to dry and brittle hair, hair fall, dandruff and other severe problems. It is caused by excessive use of hair care products and straightening of strands every other day. Perming also leads to change in the texture of hair, damaged scalp and hair, as well as slows down hair growth. Some other causes include tension and inadequate diet, lack of iron, zinc, omega 3- fatty acids, vitamin A, and B complex vitamin. Sometimes, dehydration of sebaceous glands occurs due to certain conditions, which lead to loss of natural oil from our scalp and growth of flakes. These conditions include intense climatic conditions, skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, lack of water in the body.

Here are some of the natural ways to keep you from itching your head in public. It’s time to control hair problems and not your fingers. Yes, you heard it right! It’s possible to get rid of dry scalp and itching issues with the help of these home remedies.

Home Remedies

1. Apple Cider Vinegar and Beer

This is one of the most widely known remedies. Use ACV as a natural conditioner for your strands. Dump those bottles full of shiny illusionary chemicals. Beer can also be used with it, but it is not necessary. Both are types of alcohols and both condition your hair along with balancing the pH of the scalp, which prevents the growth of dry flakes, dandruff and bacteria or fungus.

There are several alternative methods of using apple cider vinegar and beer.

  • Apple cider vinegar can also be used after massaging your scalp with lukewarm olive oil and then shampoo as usual after 15 minutes.
  • You can also apply jojoba oil mixed with 8 ounce dark beer. Leave it for 15-20 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water and then shampoo.
  • Boil 3 cups water and add a handful of rosemary leaves to it, let it simmer for 45 minutes. After it cools, add ½ cup apple cider vinegar and 10 drops of rosemary/peppermint oil. Apply this mixture post shampooing. You can choose to leave it for 6-12 hours or rinse after an hour as per your convenience.
  • Mix 1 cup biodegradable horse oil, 3 teaspoons olive/coconut oil, and 5 tablespoons apple cider vinegar. It can be used with normal shampoo to wash your hair.
  • Dilute ½ cup apple cider vinegar by adding 50% water. Or, you can also apply apple cider vinegar without diluting. Leave it for a minimum of 15 minutes and maximum 3 hours.
  • Get 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 4 tablespoons white vinegar. Apply on your scalp and hair. Rinse after an hour.
  • Mix ½ cup beetroot juice and 8 tablespoon vinegar. Apply for 20 minutes and then rinse. You can also intake beetroot juice, it ensures growth of hair.
  • Get 4 ounce grape seed oil, 2 tablespoons oatmeal and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Apply and leave it for an hour. Rinse with shampoo.

2. Egg Yolk

Eggs are rich source of protein. Apply yolk in your hair for 20 minutes and rinse thoroughly with shampoo. It will make your hair silky and smooth like never before.

  • Alternatively, egg yolk can also be used along with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1/8 cup of water. Mix it until the mixture becomes consistent. Apply this after shampooing on damp strands.
  • Another method is to mix one egg in a bowl of yogurt. Stir properly and apply for 15-20 minutes.

3. Curd

It is readily available. Preferably sour curd could be utilized to ditch the dirt, flakes and dehydration, all at once. Apply for 20 minutes and rinse thoroughly with mild shampoo.

4. Mayonnaise

Massage your dry hair with mayonnaise. Rinse your hair after 20 minutes with lukewarm water.

5. Lemon Juice and Honey

This is the easiest way to avoid dry, flaky scalp. But, do not over use lemon; it could be harmful on the scratched areas of the scalp.

Alternative methods:

  • To refrain from the harm caused by lemon, use olive oil as a substitute for lemon, and you can also add 2 tablespoons pure vegetable glycerin.
  • Mix a couple of drops of lemon with 8 teaspoons of peanut oil.

Note- If you are allergic to peanuts, do not use this method

  • Blend 2 tablespoons honey, avocado and egg yolk. Apply for 20 minutes and then rinse with shampoo.
  • Mix 1 tablespoon honey in a glass of milk and apply it on the scalp.

6. Grapes, Lemon and Coconut Oil

Add 3 tablespoons juice of lemon and grapes to coconut oil and apply this mixture for 20 minutes. Readymade coconut oil can be used or you can prepare it at home as per your convenience.

7. Baking Soda

Mix 1-2 tbsp baking soda with water and form a thick paste out of it. Apply on your scalp for 15 minutes. Rinse with water. It is good for residue ridden hair. You can also massage your scalp with olive oil 30 minutes before following the above mentioned therapy.

8. Aspirin

Crush 10 tablets of aspirin and add one cup olive oil. Apply this on the scalp.

9. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera gel helps in retaining the moisture of your scalp. Apply it for a minimum of 30 minutes, and if you can leave it for 8-12 hours, that would give better results. If you cannot cut open a leaf of aloe vera plant, then go for readymade gel. Before applying aloe vera gel, massage your scalp with virgin coconut oil for effective results.

10. Avocado and Banana

Mash two bananas and one avocado. Apply this paste to nourish and moisturize your hair. Rinse after 30 minutes. Avocado is good for frizzy hair.

Other ways to use avocado and banana are:

  • You can also add 2 tablespoons lemon drops and 1 tablespoon honey to mashed avocado.
  • Avocado paste can also be used by adding egg yolk, sour cream and mayonnaise to it.
  • Mash one banana and add 1 tablespoon honey. Apply this paste for 30 minutes and rinse with cold water.

11. Coconut Milk

Strain grated coconut through cheesecloth to retrieve coconut milk by squeezing the cloth. Simmer it for 4-5 minutes and refrigerate for a night after it becomes cool. Use it the next morning in disentangled hair by dipping a cotton ball in the milk. Apply this on the scalp as well as hair. Thereafter, massage your scalp with fingers. Cover your hair with a shower cap. Rinse with shampoo after 6 hours. You can also mix coconut and gram floor, and massage your scalp with it before shampooing.

12. Oil Therapy

Almond oil, olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, sesame oil, burdock root oil, flaxseed oil, tea tree oil,  jojoba oil, eucalyptus oil, oregano oil, lavender oil, rosemary oil, peppermint oil, Vitamin E oil, Vitamin B oil, sage oil, rose oil, chamomile oil, Patchouli, ylang-ylang, and Myrrh oil are considered to be the best for scalp massage. These can be applied any time. Keep the oil for 6-12 hours and then rinse.

  • Alternative Method – Tea tree oil can also be used with a mild shampoo.

13. Brown Sugar Scrub

To get rid of shedding flakes, you can scrub your scalp before shampooing. Mix 5 tablespoons brown sugar with any of the oil mentioned in the list above.

14. Grounded Oatmeal

Simmer grounded oatmeal in 2-3 cups of water until paste forms, which will approximately take an hour. Add a few drops of rosemary oil to it. Massage your scalp with it lightly after it becomes cool.

15. Protein in Your Diet

A healthy diet is, of course, the key to prevent any/every kind of disease. It proves to be true in case of your hair as well. Soybeans and pulses are the richest sources of proteins. And nothing can beat the age old formula, i.e. consume fruits, salad and green leafy vegetables.

16. Other Vital Minerals and Vitamins

  • For vitamin A, consume liver, dairy products, eggs, yellow and orange fresh vegetables and fruits, like papaya, squash, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, peaches and carrots.
  • For B complex vitamin, intake meat, poultry, dairy products and eggs, whole grains, beans and green leafy vegetables.
  • For omega 3- fatty acids, ingest fatty fish, like salmon, mackerel, tuna and herring, and vegetables, like flaxseed, canola oil, soybeans, spinach, salmon, pumpkin seeds and walnuts.
  • Consume meats, poultry, beans, nuts and tofu to cope with the lack of iron in your body.
  • Consume whole grains, seafood, meats, poultry and nuts to fulfill the deficiency of zinc in your body.

Herbal Treatment for Dry Scalp

17. All Dried Herbs/ Homemade Herbal Rinse

Herbal treatment is good for those who cannot put up with the pungent smell of apple cider vinegar. Some of the commonly used herbs are calendula, comfrey, and thyme. Add four tablespoons of these dried herbs in steaming water. Once this mixture becomes cool, you can massage your head with it post shampooing. Some other herbs you may use are stinging nettle, burdock, red clover, yarrow, rosemary and witch hazel.

  • Alternative Method – Store these dried herbs- thyme, stinging nettle, burdock, red clover, yarrow, rosemary and witch hazel in a jar filled with apple cider vinegar and white wine vinegar. Place the jar where temperature is warm for 4-5 weeks and shake it at least once a day.  Sift the liquid using cheesecloth. Add 10 drops of olive oil and water. Use this post shampooing.

18. Thyme

Take 4 tablespoons of dried thyme and 4 cups water. Boil for 20 minutes. Apply in clean and damp hair.

19. Stinging Nettle

Although stinging nettles are weeds, but they are a rich source of iron. It can be consumed in many forms.

  • Spread dried nettles on your salad.
  • Steep dry nettles in boiling water along with other herbs, like rosemary, sage, and lavender for 4-5 minutes. And the grassy tea is ready to serve.
  • Prepare the tea as per the method explained above and then add any of the oil mentioned in the list of ‘Oil Therapy’ as per your convenience. Or, peppermint oil as it will enable you to preserve the preparation for more than 6 months. Before shampooing, massage your scalp with an iota of this mixture for a couple of minutes on damp hair and also comb your hair to let it spread over every strand. Use it at least once a week for better results.

20. Rosemary Leaves

Boil half cup rosemary leaves in 2 cups water for 5-7 minutes. Apply this liquid on the scalp after it cools.

21. Fenugreek

Blend fenugreek and honey. Apply on the scalp, massaging gently. Leave for several minutes before washing out.

  • Alternative Method – Make a paste out of 1 tablespoon fenugreek seeds and 2 Indian gooseberries (Amla). Add 1 tablespoon honey. Mix it well and apply on the scalp for 30 minutes. Rinse with a mild shampoo.

22. Indian Lilac (Neem) Leaves, Holy Basil (Tulsi) Leaves, Henna Leaves

Crush Indian lilac leaves, holy basil leaves and henna leaves altogether. Add a few drops of lemon and 250ml virgin coconut oil. Boil this mixture down until the vessel is left with oil and leaf remains. Strain after it becomes cool. Store this homemade oil in a bottle and apply on your scalp to prevent, as well as cure the dry scalp.

  • Alternative Method – Boil a handful of Indian lilac leaves in one cup water for 20 minutes. Strain the leaves and make a paste out it. Apply this on the scalp and the boiled water can be utilized to rinse hair.

23. Sage Leaves Massage

Sage leaves can be used to get rid of the dry scalp. Gently crush a couple of fresh sage leaves and boil them for a few minutes. Apply after it cools, on damp hair. It prevents dryness and flakes.

24. White Gourd/ Winter Melon

Crush the skin and seeds of a white gourd and add lukewarm water to it.  Use it on your scalp.

25. Hibiscus

Steep hibiscus flowers and leaves in the boiling water overnight and then filter. The liquid is ready to use after it becomes cool.

26. Calendula

Simmer calendula flowers overnight and then filter. Once it cools, use it on your scalp as a final rinse.

27. Tea and Beetroot

Finely chop a beetroot and then boil it with one spoonful dried green tea leaves in one cup water for 15-20 minutes. After it becomes cool, crush the mixture and then strain. Apply the filtered leftover on your scalp.

28. Parsley

Steep parsley leaves in boiling water for 10 minutes. Filter the leaves and make a fine paste out of it. Apply this paste on clean hair and scalp. Rinse after an hour.

Else, steep a handful of parsley leaves in one cup boiling water till the leaves turn yellow, it will take some 30 minutes. Squeeze lemon into it and let it cool. Rinse your hair with this before shampooing.

29. Ginger Root

Grate 1 tablespoon fresh ginger and add one tablespoon sesame or jojoba oil. Blend it well and massage on your scalp. You can rinse after 6-12 hours.

Do’s & Don’ts

  • Do not use every market product that you are exposed to via advertisements. Those chemicals are the reason behind your damaged scalp. Specially do not buy products which include any of these ingredients: sodium laureth sulphate, and sodium beryl sulfate.
  • Do not shampoo very frequently. Rather, go for the natural remedies mentioned in the above section.
  • Healthy and balanced diet is a basic requirement to prevent you from any disease, as well as dry scalp. So, make sure that you intake all the vitamins, minerals, proteins in your diet.
  • Youngsters these days, while following up with fashion, have forgotten the magic that oiling does to hair. Oil massage keeps hair hydrated, hence, do it at least twice a week. Use lukewarm oil.
  • Washing your hair after long period also causes dirt to pile up on your head. It adds to dryness, flakes and dandruff. Thus, wash your hair at least thrice a week.
  • While using shampoo, apply it with lukewarm water and rinse with cold water. Do not use too harsh shampoo.
  • Do not use soap to wash your hair. It increases dryness of hair and scalp both.
  • Do not dye your hair, it disturbs the normal pH balance of the scalp and causes the development of yeast on the scalp.
  • Abstain from swimming in the chlorinated water.
  • Do not scratch your dry, flaky scalp, as it adds to open sores and inflammation.
  • Brush your hair after swimming/showering, so that, the natural oil on the scalp could quickly return and get divided in balanced proportion.
  • Mechanization is another destructive agent for today’s youth. Excessive hair straightening leads to dryness of the scalp and natural moisture is lost, which makes your hair even duller. It also increases hair fall. Perming/curling your hair also ceases the natural growth of hair, apart from damaging them. Hairdryers are responsible for excessive dry hairs due to heat, stealing away the moist and causes structural damage. So, minimize styling your hair to once in a fortnight or once in a week.
  • Stress and anxiety are other major reasons for all sorts of hair problems. So “Do Not Worry” is the key before you apply anything!