Onion Juice for Dandruff

Some people hate onions, some people can’t eat a meal without them. But if anybody recommends that you try using an onion for dandruff, you might look at them as if they were crazy.

Can you use onion juice for dandruff treatment?

Methods to use onion juice for dandruff

Is it safe to use?

Surprisingly though, onion juice has been used for decades as a traditional route on how to remove dandruff from your scalp. This potential cure adds to a host of benefits that come with applying onion juice to your head:

• It has shown to reduce inflammation or irritation.
• Contains anti-microbial properties that help to curb skin infections.
• Can moisturise and hydrate your dry scalp, adding a shine to your hair.
• Promotes hair growth and is often used to treat conditions like Alopecia.
• High sulphur content helps in follicle regeneration and nourishment.
• Its anti-oxidant nature has shown to reduce grey hair in certain cases.
• It contains compounds that are vasodilatory which increases blood circulation to the scalp.

The simple answer is that people have applied onion juice for hair dandruff and have seen a positive outcome. Some studies have shown to significantly reduce visible flakes and itching. But first you need to understand the cause of dandruff.

Dandruff is a skin ailment that is caused by a naturally occurring fungus called Malassezia Globosa. This fungus is found on your scalp in small quantities and goes unnoticed in most situations. It feeds on the excess sebum or oil that is secreted by the sebaceous glands on your scalp and creates a by-product called oleic acid. Half of the people in the world are sensitive to oleic acid and their body reacts by breaking out into itching and white flakes. If you’re not sensitive towards it, no amount of oily scalp will lead to dandruff.

So, when you apply onion juice in different concoctions, it employs anti-fungal properties to reduce the effect of the Malassezia fungus. This can automatically reduce the extent of your dandruff condition and negate the effects of excess oil. It also calms the itching sensation, which can be quite troublesome to deal with. Thus, using an onion for hair dandruff can actually be of benefit depending on how you use it.

To extract onion juice, you need to chop the onions into small pieces and then use a hand press to squeeze out the juice. Or you can throw it in a blender and strain the resulting paste through a muslin cloth. This should be your starting point.

Most people normally combine onion juice with an additive before applying it to their head. The general method is to apply the mixture to your hair and scalp, leave it in for about 20-30 minutes, and then gently wash your hair with a shampoo.

• Combine onion juice with lemon juice –

  This is the most commonly applied mixture, which brings the benefits of a lemon to regulate your pH levels, reduce the presence of bacteria, and get rid of any excess oil.

• Onion juice and fenugreek seeds –

  Creating a paste of fenugreek seeds and diluted onion juice brings the combined anti-bacterial properties to curb your dandruff problem. It has also shown to reduce oil production on your scalp.

• Aloe vera with onion juice –

  This will combine two dandruff home remedies to moisturise your scalp, while removing any excess oil. Both ingredients have strong anti-inflammatory characteristics that help in reducing your dandruff.

• Olive oil and onion juice –

  A thick liquid is formed that coats your scalp and hair, bringing instant relief to an itchy scalp. This softens and nourishes your skin as well.

• Onion juice with coconut oil and lemon juice –

  This combination moisturises your scalp and hair, calming the itching on your head. This is especially used for dry scalp.

• Onion juice and honey –

  This is another mixture that is used to soothe your itchy scalp and bring moisture to your hair.

If you want to use an onion for dandruff treatment, you should apply it twice a week over a period of four to six weeks. But you must tread carefully as there are concerns with using onion juice for hair dandruff.

Technically it’s a natural product, so you shouldn’t be that worried. But it differs from person to person and you should be aware of the potential pitfalls.

• An allergic reaction is always possible. Do a patch test on a part of your skin to see if you react to the mixture.
• The smell on your head is probably going to be your biggest concern. But you can add lemon juice or fragrances like lavender to counter the smell. If the smell still lingers, you can possibly add apple cider vinegar to your shampoo.
• If your skin is already sensitive, onion juice can irritate your scalp further.
• Ensure that the onion juice does not go into your eyes, as that can burn quite severely.
• If you overdo the application, or over-use any of the additives, it can end up worsening your dandruff as well.

The claims of onion juice being an effective cure are not completely proven. There are few studies that have shown the benefits, but you should apply it only after extensive consideration. If it seems too tedious, you can use scalp shampoos as an answer to this problem. Using the Head and Shoulders Lemon Fresh can significantly reduce your dandruff, while leaving a citrusy smell on your head. The Head and Shoulders Neem shampoo or Cool Menthol shampoo are also powerful solutions in your fight against dandruff and an itchy scalp. If you want, you should try onion juice as an alternative dandruff treatment, but also know that other options exist for your peace of mind.