Garlic For Dandruff – How To Use, Benefits, Risks

Dandruff is a common scalp issue characterized by white flakes and itching. Anti-dandruff shampoos work to an extent but do not get rid of the menace completely. If you want to stop the recurrence of dandruff, use garlic.

Garlic is an ancient home remedy for treating various health and skin issues. It has antifungal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties (1). The antifungal property works well for dandruff treatment (2). But beware! Do not apply garlic directly to your scalp.

Scroll down to know about how to use garlic for dandruff €“ its benefits and a few not-so-good side effects.

How To Use Garlic To Get Rid Of Dandruff

There are two ways you can use garlic to get rid of dandruff €“ apply it to the scalp or consume it.

Take a look at the DIY garlic hair masks you can prepare easily. Scroll down.

5 Best Garlic Hair Masks For Dandruff

1. Garlic Oil And Olive Oil

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons of garlic oil
• 5 tablespoons of olive oil

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

How To Prepare And Apply

1. Mix the garlic oil and olive oil in a bowl.
2. Massage it onto your hair roots in a circular motion.
3. Wait for 20 minutes and shampoo your hair.

2. Garlic Oil And Coconut Oil

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons of garlic oil
• 4 tablespoons of coconut oil

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

How To Prepare And Apply

1. Mix the garlic oil and coconut oil.
2. Warm the oil blend for a few seconds.
3. Massage it onto your scalp in a circular motion.
4. Avoid scratching your scalp at all costs.
5. Wait for 20 minutes and shampoo your hair.

3. Garlic Powder And Yogurt

You Will Need

• 2 teaspoons of garlic powder
• 5 tablespoons of yogurt
• Water
• Coconut oil

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

How To Prepare And Apply

1. Mix the yogurt and garlic powder in a bowl.
2. Add a little water and mix well.
3. First, massage your scalp with coconut oil.
4. Apply the yogurt and garlic mask to your scalp.
5. Wait for 20-30 minutes and wash your hair.

4. Garlic And Aloe Vera

You Will Need

• 2 teaspoons of garlic juice
• 4 tablespoons of aloe vera gel

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

How To Prepare And Apply

1. Mix the garlic juice and aloe vera gel in a bowl.
2. Apply this mixture to your scalp.
3. Wear a shower cap and wait for 30 minutes.
4. Shampoo your hair.

5. Garlic, Honey, And Lemon

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons of garlic oil
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
• Coconut oil

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

How To Prepare And Apply

1. Mix the garlic oil, honey, and lemon juice in a bowl.
2. Massage your scalp with coconut oil.
3. Apply the garlic mask to your scalp.
4. Wear a shower cap and wait for 20 minutes.
5. Shampoo your hair.

These are the 5 best garlic hair masks to get rid of dandruff. You can also prepare garlic oil at home. Here€™s the recipe.

How To Prepare Garlic Oil For The Hair

You Will Need

• 5-8 garlic cloves
• 500 ml of coconut or olive oils

How To Prepare

1. Crush the garlic cloves and soak them in coconut/olive oil overnight.
2. Heat the oil in the morning.
3. Set it aside to cool down.
4. Voila! Your DIY garlic oil for preventing dandruff is ready.

Apart from applying to the scalp, consuming garlic can also help eliminate dandruff. Find the various ways to consume garlic for the hair in the next section.

2 Ways To Consume Garlic For Dandruff

1. Raw Garlic

Eating a clove of raw garlic can be beneficial for your health. Garlic is rich in allicin, which has antimicrobial effects (3). It also helps inhibit dandruff-causing fungal growth.

2. Cooked Garlic

Add sliced, crushed, chopped, or toasted garlic to stews, pasta, curries, and soups. It will not only enhance the flavor but also improve your scalp health.

These are the two ways (applying garlic mask or consuming garlic) you can use garlic for dandruff. But do you know how garlic works against dandruff? Check out the following section.

Why Is Garlic So Good For Preventing Dandruff?

• Garlic Has Antimicrobial Properties

Garlic is Nature€™s medicine against microbial infections. Dandruff is caused by the fungus Malassezia furfur. A study found garlic extracts to be effective against this dandruff-causing fungus (4).

• Garlic Reduces Inflammation

Seborrheic dermatitis is a severe form of dandruff caused due to inflammation. Unlike dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis can occur in any part of the body. Garlic has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation and the risk of seborrheic dermatitis (5).

• Garlic Boosts Immunity

Low immunity against fungal infection on the scalp can make dandruff a recurring nuisance. In this case, it is also important to consume garlic, along with using an antifungal shampoo and garlic hair mask. Garlic helps boost immunity and reduces the risk of the reappearance of dandruff (6).

• Garlic Improves Blood Circulation

Massaging your scalp with a garlic mask helps improve blood circulation. Improved blood circulation on the scalp is necessary for immune cells and nutrients to reach the hair follicles and fight dandruff.

• Garlic Is Rich In Antioxidants

Garlic has antioxidant properties, which makes it an effective anti-dandruff home remedy. Excessive toxin buildup can make the scalp prone to fungal infections. Aged garlic extract is good for reducing toxins in the body (7).

These are the reasons garlic is effective against dandruff. But do not just jump into a basket of garlic. There are certain side effects of using or consuming excessive garlic. Scroll down to find out what they are.

Unpleasant Effects Of Garlic

• Excessive consumption of raw garlic can be toxic to the heart, liver, and kidney (7).
• It can lead to bad breath and body odor.
• It might upset the stomach.
• Garlic might cause scalp irritation.
• It may cause nausea and vomiting.
• Garlic interacts with anticoagulant drugs (8).

Note: Avoid garlic if you are on anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs. Do a patch test on a small area before applying garlic. If it irritates the skin, do not apply garlic topically.

In A Nutshell

Garlic is an effective home remedy for dandruff. Applying it as a hair mask or including it in your diet can help reduce dandruff and prevent its recurrence. But do not apply garlic directly to your scalp. You can use an anti-dandruff shampoo with garlic to get rid of dandruff faster. However, do not overdo any of it. Be patient, and you will surely witness visible results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we apply garlic to the scalp?

Yes, you can apply garlic to the scalp. But do not apply it directly. Mix it with coconut oil, olive oil, yogurt, or aloe vera.

Can I leave garlic on my hair overnight?

No, do not leave garlic on your hair overnight as it can cause scalp itching and inflammation. Also, getting rid of the smell will be tough.

How long should you leave garlic on your hair?

You can leave garlic for about 20-30 minutes on your hair.

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Arshiya SyedaSenior Editor

 

Arshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She holds a bachelor's degree in literature and psychology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a post-graduate diploma in psychological...more