DANDRUFF

Dandruff is a common scalp condition wherein small pieces of dry skin flake off of the scalp. It may also lead to itchy scalp.

Dandruff is called as Darunaka in Ayurveda. This falls in the category of Kshudra rogas (minor diseases). It primarily occurs due to imbalance in three doshas (vata, pitta, kapha) of body. Kapha and vata dosha are predominant in causing dandruff. Vitiated vata dosha causes dryness of the skin and excessive kapha creats oiliness.

Causes of dandruff are:

• Irritated and oily skin
• Sensitivity to hair care products
• Not shampooing often
• Dry skin
• A yeast like fungus which irritates the scalp causing more skin cells to grow which die and fall off appearing white and flaky

According to Ayurveda improper diet and lifestyle excess exposure to sunshine, excessive sweating or seasonal variation specially winters can lead to Darunaka

• White, oily-looking flakes of dead skin on hair and shoulders
• Itchy, scaly scalp

Internal medicine

Raktavah strotas chikitsa

Manas chikitsa

Aampachak chikitsa

Immuno therapy

Panchkarma

Basti

Nasya

Snehan

Swedan

Abhyanga

Udavartan

Lepan

Shirodhara

Shiropichu

Yoga & Pranayama

Meditation

• Eat fruits such as mango, pomegranate, lemon, coconut
• Include vegetables such as drumstick
• Use ghee in moderate amount
• Have food rich in vitamin E (almond, pine nuts, peanuts, spinach, flaxseed oil, soyabean) and omega 3 fatty acids (flax seed, walnut, sardines, salmon, soyabean, tofu, shrimp) for good scalp health
• Avoid wrong food combinations (for e.g. fish with milk)

Avoid drinking cold water

• Massage scalp with sesame oil
• Applying paste of neem leaves
• Apply green gram powder
• Massage aloe vera on your scalp
• Practice asanas like Shirshasanaand suryanamaskara. It enhances blood circulation to head and brain nourishing the scalp with necessary nutrients
• Practice meditation, as it helps in controlling stress and anxiety
• Mix of lemon juice + coconut oil may be beneficial to control dandruff
• Mixture of coconut oil + camphor may be beneficial to control dandruff
• Fine paste of meethi seeds can be applied on scalp for controlling dandruff.