If you’re looking for a natural way to get rid of head lice, this article is for you.
Learn how to use essential oils and other household items to eliminate those pesky critters and their eggs without harsh chemicals.
These simple and effective methods are safe for kids and adults alike. So watch the video now and say goodbye to head lice!
Table of Contents
What is Head Lice?
Head lice are parasitic insects that live on the scalp and feed on human blood. They are small, wingless insects with six legs. Adult head lice are about the size of a sesame seed, and nits are lice eggs.
They are smaller than head lice and are attached to hair shafts close to the scalp. Head Lice spread through close contact with someone who has them.
You can also contact it by sharing items such as hats, brushes, or towels. Symptoms of head lice include itching and irritation of the scalp. Head Lice can be hard to spot because they are small and move quickly.
Nits may be easier to see because they are attached to hair shafts. If you suspect you have head lice, comb your hair with a fine-toothed nit comb to remove them.
What are the Natural Ways to Eliminate Head Lice?
1. Try wet-combing
Wet-combing involves using a fine-toothed comb to remove head lice and their eggs from the hair. This method is an effective way to eliminate head lice because it physically removes the lice and eggs from the hair shaft.
To wet-comb, start with clean, dry hair free of any conditioner or other products. Wet the hair with water and massage it in a generous amount of liquid soap or shampoo.
Use a fine-toothed comb to work through the hair – Start at the roots and work your way up the hair tips. You should also start at the top of the head and work your way down, taking small sections of hair at a time.
Pay special attention to areas where lice are most likely to be found, like the ears and neck nape. If you find any lice or nits, carefully remove them with the comb and dispose of them.
Comb through each section of wet hair slowly and methodically. It will ensure that all the lice and nits are removed from the hair. Repeat this process until you have combed through every part of your hair.
Afterward, wash your hands thoroughly and disinfect your comb to prevent any further spread of headlice.
2. Apply some anise oil
Anise oil is a natural head lice remedy used for centuries. Manufacturers extract the oil from the anise plant, which is native to the Mediterranean region.
Anise oil has a potent, licorice-like scent and is known for its insecticidal and antifungal properties. There are several theories as to why anise oil eliminates head lice.
One theory is that the strong fragrance of the oil masks the smells that headlice use to communicate with each other. It disrupts their reproductive cycle and eventually leads to their death.
Another theory is that anise oil suffocates head lice by clogging their breathing holes. It paralyzes and kills these insects with lower toxicity levels, so it is not harmful to humans.
It is safe to use around children and adults and will not cause side effects.
Apply the oil to the affected areas of the head using a cotton ball or Q-tip. You can also add a few drops to a shampoo bottle and shampoo as usual.
3. Massage some olive oil into your scalp
There are many ways to get rid of head lice, but olive oil is one of the most potent and inexpensive methods. Olive oil works to eliminate head lice by suffocating them.
The lice cannot breathe when covered in olive oil and eventually die. This method is safe and effective but can take several days to work. To use olive oil – coat the hair and scalp with the oil and cover with a shower cap or plastic bag.
Leave on for at least four hours, then shampoo and comb out the dead lice and nits. Repeat this process every day for a week to make sure all the lice are gone.
4. Smother head lice with coconut oil
Coconut oil is a natural, safe and effective way to eliminate head lice. It works by smothering the lice and causing them to die. It is also effective in preventing lice infestations.
You can apply coconut oil to the hair and scalp in a few ways, including as a leave-in treatment, shampoo, or conditioner. To use coconut oil to eliminate head lice – start by wetting the hair and applying the oil liberally.
Work it in well, making sure to cover the entire scalp and hair shaft. Wrap the head in a shower cap or plastic bag and leave it on for at least four hours or overnight if possible.
Shampoo the hair thoroughly to remove the coconut oil and dead lice. You may need to repeat this process until all the lice are gone.
5. Apply some onion juice
Onion juice is a popular home remedy for head lice. It works to eliminate head lice by suffocating them. The strong smell of onions can also help to repel lice.
If you have sensitive skin, you may want to dilute the onion juice with water before applying it to your scalp. You can also try adding a few drops of lavender oil to help mask the scent of onions.
There are a few ways to use onion juice to kill head lice. One method is to mix the onion juice with vinegar and water and use it as a rinse after shampooing.
It will kill the lice and their eggs. You can also apply the onion juice directly to the scalp and leave it on for a few hours before washing it out.
6. Use garlic
Garlic has long been used as a natural remedy for head lice. But how does it work? First, the potent smell of garlic can irritate and repel lice.
Second, garlic releases allicin when crushed – a substance that has antibacterial and antifungal properties. There are a few ways to eliminate head lice using garlic.
One is to make a garlic spray. You will need to peel and mince ten garlic cloves. To use this method, add the garlic to two cups of boiling water and let steep for thirty minutes.
Strain the mixture and add one teaspoon of olive oil. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spritz it onto the affected areas.
You can also make a garlic shampoo by adding ten garlic cloves to two cups of boiling water. Let steep for thirty minutes and strain.
Add the strained mixture to an unscented shampoo and use it as you would normally shampoo your hair.
7. Apply neem to your scalp
Even though head lice are small, they can be a big problem. Not only are they annoying, but they can also be hard to eliminate. If you’re looking for a natural way to get rid of head lice, neem oil may be the answer.
Neem oil works to suffocate the lice, causing them to dehydrate and die. It is also a natural insecticide, repelling lice and preventing them from laying eggs. To use neem oil – mix with an equal amount of coconut or olive oil.
Apply the mixture to your scalp and hair and cover all affected areas. Leave it on for at least thirty minutes before shampooing.
Neem leaves are another effective remedy for head lice.
Boil a handful of neem leaves for about fifteen minutes, then strain the water and let it cool. Apply the liquid to your scalp and hair, using a cotton ball to saturate the area.
Leave it on for at least thirty minutes, then shampoo and rinse off.
Conclusion
Head lice are a nuisance, and exterminating them does not have to be challenging. There are ways to get rid of them without using harsh chemicals.
First, it is crucial to identify the problem and treat it accordingly. Follow the methods stated earlier, but most importantly, be patient and consistent.
With patience and some know-how, you can banish head lice for good!
