Dandruff due to fungus is extremely common, affecting close to 50% of the world's population. The cause of dandruff is usually a fungus called Pityrosporum ovale (P.ovale) which is a naturally occurring yeast-like organism found on the scalp and other parts of human skin. The fungus is found most on skin areas with plenty of sebaceous glands including the scalp. Gradually P.ovale fungus tends to concentrate on the scalp where a large number of sebaceous glands can be found. These are the glands that produce your skin's natural oil, called sebum, which contributes to the growth of the P. ovale fungus. As the fungus grows in size and number, it results in dandruff.
Neem produces antifungal, antibacterial, pain-relieving, and anti- compounds that would treat dandruff.
Arnica montana is a widely used herbal and homeopathic medicine for hair growth stimulation as it rejuvenates the scalp, stimulates the hair follicles by improving the blood flow, and prevents premature hair fall. Arnica montana also has anti-inflammatory and anti-dandruff properties which assist its hair growth property.
Calendula oil is known to have antifungal properties that help fight dandruff and its related complaints of flakiness, greasiness, irritation, and itching. It also has moisturizing properties and hence helps in regeneration.
Thuja is widely used as a remedy for white scaly dandruff. It also has hair growth stimulating properties by increasing the number and size of the hair follicles in the anagen phase. These properties make it a potential hair-promoting agent.
Zingiber or Ginger has antimicrobial activities due to the presence of gingerol and paradol, shogaols and zingerone. In fact, 10% ethanolic ginger extract was found to possess antimicrobial potential against pathogens. Ginger is known to have broad antibacterial activity and the ethanolic extract of ginger powder has pronounced inhibitory activities against Candida albicans. Studies also show antifungal properties of ginger extract, Gingerol. These properties make it an ideal candidate for anti-dandruff treatment.
