Dandruff

Introduction:
Dandruff is a mysterious ailment. Dandruff is an itchy, annoying and persistent skin disorder of the scalp. Dandruff can cause either an overly dry scalp with itchy white flakes that may be waxy or greasy or dandruff can manifest as an oily greasy scalp with scales. It is a form of skin inflammation (dermatitis) which has no known cause. This condition can appear at any time from infancy to old age.
Causes:
There are two types of causes-internal & external causes. Internal causes are hormonal imbalance, poor health, poor hygiene, lack of rest, improper nutrition, and heredity predisposition. External causes are excessive use of hair sprays & gels, improper use of hair coloring products ,excessive use of hot hair curlers, cold weather and dry indoor heating, stress and anxiety, infrequent shampooing of the hair or inadequate rinsing of the scalp and hair. Dry or Greasy Dandruff: Although bacteria may aggravate a dandruff condition; bacteria do not cause the initial problem. Dandruff is associated with a tiny fungus called Pityrosporum ovale, or P. ovale for short. This fungus lives on our bodies and scalp all the time, usually without causing a problem. Unfortunately, for some people, it can get out of control. leading to dandruff.

Diet:
Nutrition can play a big part in controlling dandruff. Diet plays an important role in the treatment of dandruff
Nutritional yeast and raw wheat germ are two excellent sources of B vitamins, particularly vitamin B6 which plays an important role in controlling dandruff. Eggs and cabbage also provide vitamin B6 in addition to supplying sulfur which is nature's beauty mineral for the scalp A well-balanced diet, with emphasis on raw foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables.
Avoid citrus fruits, bananas, tinned fruits
Citrus fruits, bananas, dried, stewed, or tinned fruits should not be taken.
Avoid strong tea/coffee, pickles, refined and processed foods
Meats, sugar, white flour, strong tea or coffee, condiments, pickles, refined and processed foods should all be avoided.
Treatment:
Yoga headstands will also help with circulation. Exercising out in the fresh air will also help with circulation to the scalp. Nizoral shampoo is also unique in that it's effect is long-lasting. Even after rinsing, Nizoral carries on working for several days. The foremost consideration in the treatment of this disorder is to keep the hair and scalp clean so as to minimise the accumulation of dead cells.
Hair should be brushed daily to improve circulation
The hair should be brushed daily to improve the circulation and remove any flakiness. The most effective way to brush the hair is to bend forward from the waist with the head down towards the ground, and brush from the nape of the neck towards the top of the head.


Home Remedies:
Garlic and oil of oregano are also excellent for fighting dandruff. You can take it internally or externally.
Onions are high in sulfur. Cut a fresh onion in half and rub it on the scalp. Onion juice is massaged on the scalp half hour before bath and then the hair is washed.
Mix 1 tblspn of Olive oil with 1 tspn of limejuice. Apply well on the scalp and cover the head by tying an old scarf. Keep it on overnight and shampoo the next morning
The use of a teaspoon of fresh lime juice for the last rinse, while washing the hair, is another useful remedy. This not only leaves the hair glowing but also removes stickiness and prevents dandruff. Dandruff can be removed by massaging the hair for half an hour with curd which has been kept in the open for three days, or with a few drops of lime juice mixed with amla juice every night, before going to bed. Another measure which helps to counteract dandruff is to dilute cider vinegar with an equal quantity of water and dab this on to the hair with cotton wool in between shampooing. Cider vinegar added to the final rinsing water after shampooing also helps to disperse dandruff.
To get rid off dandruff you can try a mixture of 2 tbsp of curd and a few drops of honey is rubbed on the scalp half hour before bath and then the hair is washed.
Mix the olive oil with the almond oil. Leave it on about 5 min.s after it starts to burn. Rinse well.

Herbal Treatment:
The use of fenugreek seeds is one of the most important remedies in the treatment of dandruff. Two tablespoons of these seeds should be soaked overnight in water and ground into a fine paste in the morning. This paste should be applied all over the scalp and left for half an hour. The hair should then be washed thoroughly with soap-nut (ritha) solution or shikakai.
. Put the aloe vera gel where there is lots of dandruff. Leave it for ten minutes. Then have a shower. Wash your body with soap. Then use a shampoo called Palmolive naturals Aloe vera shampoo and apply the shampoo on your hair.
A valuable prescription for removal of dandruff is the use of green gram powder. The hair should be washed twice a week with two tablespoons of this powder mixed with half a cup of curd.
Beets have been found useful in dandruff. Both tops and roots should be boiled in water and this water should be massaged into the scalp with the finger tips every night. White beet is better for this purpose.
The juice of snake gourd has been found beneficial in the prevention and treatment of dandruff. The juice should be rubbed over the scalp for this purpose.

Homeopathic Remedies:
Commonly used homeopathic medicines / remedies for treatment of dandruff are: Cantharis, Arnica, Graphites,Phosphorus, Kali phos,Natmur, Sulphur, and Ars etc.The flaking and itching of the scalp can be due to eczema, psoriasis or a simple fungal infection. Sulphur 30x twice a day can relieve these symptoms. Use a gentle shampoo without mint, menthol, eucalyptus or tea tree oil.

PIMPLES

Ayurvedic tips to prevent acne and pimples
1. Avoid opposite foods.
Curds , salt, mushrooms , bamboo shoots , sour fruits , meat , prawn , pork, should not be consumed with milk . The above mentioned foods should not be consumed by mixing one item with another.
Sprouts, honey and milk should not be consumed with meat and fish.
Fish & milk : fish & sugarcane juice; jiggery & pork ;honey & pork; milk & mango; banana & milk ; are opposite foods.
2. Do not exert physically after heavy meals.
3. Do not consume foods, which lead to indigestion.
4. Avoid exposure to extreme climates.
5. Avoid excess usage of curds, fish , sour and salty foods, Bengal gram (urad), radish, sesame, horse gram and jaggery.
6. Control your emotions through YOGA and MEDITATION

Dos and Don’ts to avoid acne and pimples

Dos

1. Consume more water and keep your body well hydrated.
2. Wash your face thoroughly with a soap that suits your skin, 4 to 5 times a day. Avoid excessive removal of oil, as skin needs certain amount of oil to maintain its natural healthy condition.
3. Wash your face thoroughly after using a make up as some beauty products block the pores.
4. Consume green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits.
5. Sleep sufficiently for long hours

Avoid

1. Spicy, dry foods
2. Consuming constipating foods.
3. Squeezing of acne.
4. Too much consumption of soft drinks, tea, coffee.