Effective Home Remedies for Lice Treatment

Life becomes hard when unwanted bloodsucking guests refuse to leave your house. And when they live and breed on your head, they snatch away your peace of mind. Lice infestation is a common problem, especially in kids, that makes life a living hell. That’s why in this blog, I bring you some easy home remedies for lice. 

The 3mm menace running on through a hair turns your head into a warzone. While scratching your head in public is a shame, keeping the hands-off is onerous. It’s a constant distraction that creates mental stress. This problem with lice infestation is not new, mankind has been struggling with these parasites for centuries. Fortunately, Ayurveda has formulated some natural therapies that can cure lice infestation. 

Also Read: How to control dandruff naturally?

Can Lice Go Away on Its Own?

This is a common question that I often get from parents. They are sceptical about using medicinal products on the hair and asks if lice can go away on their own. In fact, many people don’t start immediate treatment expecting the lice to wean away from on their own. 

Lice are stubborn parasites that love to build shelter and suck your blood. They reproduce on your head and proliferate at a pacing speed. So, there is no way the lice in your head will go away without treatment.  You have to create a hostile environment on your head for the lice to suffocate and die. 

Ayurvedic Tips for Lice Infestation

Yuka – Pipilika – ‘Lice and nits’ are described in detail in the Charak Samhita. These are classified under Malaj Krimi – pathogens that spread as a result of dirt and grime. Apart from causing itch and irritation, lice can also trigger skin rashes. 

Ayurveda enlightens us with a list of herbs and plants that work great as a natural insecticide. They help protect your scalp from infestations and other germs. Furthermore, since these Ayurvedic remedies are all-natural, they do not harm your hair. 

Ayurvedic texts mention many natural ingredients that can kill and prevent lice. Neem, Camphor, Sitaphal, Guldaudi, Reetha, Shikakai, Tea tree oil, Hibiscus, Brahmi, Nutmeg, and  Citrus Lemon are some of them.

Ayurvedic Home Remedies for Lice

1. Garlic

The pungent smell of garlic along with its strong antibacterial properties suffocates lice. Here is a simple DIY garlic treatment to cure lice – 

• Grind 8 to 10 garlic cloves and add a few drops of lime juice.
• Apply the paste onto your scalp evenly by massaging it with your fingers.
• Leave it for 30 minutes for the garlic to suffocate and kill the lice. 
• Remove the dead lice with a thin comb.

2. Onion Juice

Onions too work great in curing lice infestation. The strong pungent smell of sulphur makes it very difficult for lice to breathe. Here is a simple way to use onion juice in your DIY lice treatment.

• Grate the onions in a cloth and squeeze to make a juice. 
• Wear a shower cap and leave it for 4 hours. 
• Let the juice work on the lice and wash it with hot water.
• Comb your hair with a lice hair comb.

3. Essential Oil

Ayurvedic essential oils work very well in curing head lice infestation. Most essential oils have natural insecticide properties that help you in ridding head lice. Tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, peppermint oil, cinnamon leaf oil, clove oil, and neem oil can be used to cure head lice infestation. They have natural insecticide properties that help you get rid of head lice.

You can use any of these essential oils with a carrier oil like coconut oil or almond oil.

• Mix a few drops of essential oil with a carrier oil.
• Apply this blend to your scalp and massage it gently.
• Put a shower cap and leave it for an hour. 
• Comb your hair with a thin comb.
• Wash it off and comb your wet hair to remove the nits.
• Repeat this twice in seven days to kill the newly hatched nits. 

Of all the essential oils, tea tree oil is the best. Its strong anti-fungal, anti-microbial and insecticidal properties help in fighting lice and killing nits.

4. Coconut Oil and Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar and coconut oil make a potent combination in curing lice infestation. The acidity of vinegar stops lice from breeding and the antibacterial action of coconut oil suffocates them.

Apply a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar all over your scalp. Then coat your hair with coconut oil. Wear a shower cap and leave it overnight. In the morning wash your hair with warm water and shampoo. Repeat this twice in 7 days for a month.

5. Neem 

One of the oldest tricks in the book, neem works wonders in clearing lice from your head. Its anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties suffocate and kill the lice. Further, neem contains azadirachtin. Azadirachtin is an insecticide that can prevent lice from breeding on the scalp.

• Boil a cup of neem leaves and grind the leaves into a paste.
• Apply this over your hair and leave it on for 2 hours.
• Wash it off thoroughly with warm water.
• This is an ideal home remedy for lice.

Also Read: Neem oil for lice

6. Olive oil

Overnight oiling with olive oil can suffocate the lice. It is a very gentle and nourishing lice treatment that can help rid the lice without damaging your hair. Apply olive oil on your hair and scalp overnight and comb to remove the debris from the scalp. Repeat this once a week for about a month to get rid of the lice and their nits.

• Apply a thick layer of olive oil over your scalp and hair.
• Tie your hair into braids or bun and cover it with a shower cap.
• Leave this solution overnight and use a nit comb in the morning to brush your oiled hair. 

7. Fenugreek seeds

Fenugreek seeds have excellent anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Methi seeds are a great ingredient for hair care, as it helps in fighting lice, dandruff, hair fall and aids in promoting hair growth. Here is how you can make your do DIY lice treatment with fenugreek seeds.

• Take a handful of fenugreek seeds and soak them in clean water overnight.
• Blend it in a mixture and apply it to the scalp.
• Let the paste sit for half an hour.
• Wrap your head with a towel or use a shower cap.
• Wash your head with shampoo and use a comb to take out the lice. 

Tips for lice

• Maintain scalp and hair hygiene.
• Wash your hair at least twice a week.
• Oil your hair once or twice a week.

Also Read: Wooden comb vs plastic comb

Caution!

Avoid getting these natural insecticides into your eyes as they can cause a mild burning sensation.

Take away!

A louse is a nagging problem that almost everyone struggles with at least once in their lifetime. Try these simple remedies to fight lice and nits. Since these remedies are mild, you have to use them a number of times to get the results!