Don’t scratch when you have these essential oils for itchy scalp relief! Having an itchy scalp is not only embarrassing, as you don’t want to be seen scratching your head more than enough times in public, but can also be painful and cause infection when the scratch forms wounds. Using essential oils, you can naturally soothe, cool, reduce inflammation & relieve the itch on your scalp as well as prevent infection. Since essential oils are very concentrated, you must make sure to dilute them with a carrier oil for example: sweet almond, jojoba, argan, olive, coconut or avocado oil before use. Here are some of the major causes of an itchy scalp:
What Are The Causes of An Itchy Scalp
- Dandruff
- Lice
- Dirty scalp
- Hair products
- The weather
- Inflammatory skin conditions
An itchy scalp caused by all the above problems can be relieved using a select few essential oils that contain powerful antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. However, in addition to using these essential oils treatments, also make sure to wash your scalp and hair regularly – at least every other day will do, keep hydrated, comb your hair often to stimulate circulation, use natural hair products to avoid chemicals that can irritate the scalp and cause itchiness and lastly, don’t scratch! No matter how itchy it gets, make sure not to scratch as you may end up causing wounds which might lead to infection.
Thankfully, an itchy scalp can be treated at home with natural remedies such as essential oils.
Listed below are 5 powerful essential oils for itchy scalp relief + how to use them safely and effectively to get rid of that itch once and for all!
1. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Due to its terpinen-4-ol compounds, tea tree essential oil is a strong antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-fungal agent that will help fight off any germs, bacteria and yeast that are causing the itchy scalp.
How to Use Tea Tree Oil for Itchy Scalp Relief:
Tea tree is probably the best all-round essential oil for itchy scalp treatment. To use, simply add two teaspoons of almond oil, add 3 drops of tea tree oil and mix well. Apply this onto your scalp with clean fingertips and massage gently for 3 to 5 minutes. Leave the treatment to work for 1 hour then rinse off thoroughly with tepid water.
2. Peppermint Essential Oil
The cooling and soothing properties of peppermint essential oil make it one of the best essential oils for itchy scalp issues. It contains menthol which has numbing and cooling properties that will calm & numb the itch and any pain caused by scratching. Peppermint essential oil is especially good for soothing dry, itchy and flaky scalps affected by dandruff.
How to Use Peppermint Essential Oil for Itchy Scalp Relief:
Fill a spray bottle with 1 or 2 cups of filtered/distilled water. Add in two drops of peppermint essential oil and shake vigorously. Spray this onto your scalp after or before a shower to soothe itchy scalp problems. Store in the refrigerator.
3. Lemon Essential Oil
Refresh your scalp and relieve any itchiness with lemon essential oil. Lemon essential oil cleanses the scalp, removes build-up and unclogs blocked hair follicles that can harbor germs that cause itchiness. It contains powerful antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiseptic properties that will gently disinfect your itchy scalp and protect it from infection.
How to use Lemon Essential Oil for Itchy Scalp Relief:
To 2 teaspoons of coconut oil, add just two drops of lemon essential oil, mix well and massage this gently onto your scalp. You could also lightly warm the coconut oil before adding the lemon essential oil for the treatment to work better. Leave it on for at least 40 minutes before rinsing off well with warm/tepid water.
4. Rosemary Essential Oil
The anti-inflammatory properties of rosemary essential oil will help reduce any redness or inflammation on the scalp. It also contains anti-fungal properties that will protect the scalp from any bacteria or fungi. Rosemary essential oil will also increase circulation on the scalp and soothe itchiness.
How to Use Rosemary Essential Oil for Itchy Scalp Relief:
In a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, add three drops of rosemary essential oil and mix well. Gently apply this onto your scalp and cover your hair with a warm towel for the treatment to penetrate. After 40 minutes, rinse it off thoroughly and wrap your hair in a soft towel.
5. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Just like peppermint essential oil, eucalyptus essential oil gives a cooling effect when applied on the scalp. It also contains antibacterial properties that will kill fungus and other germs that cause itchiness. Massage eucalyptus essential oil on your scalp to improve circulation and promote a healthy scalp.
How to Use Eucalyptus Essential Oil for Itchy Scalp Treatment:
Mix 2 to 4 drops of eucalyptus essential oil in 1 tablespoon of a carrier oil such as sweet almond or argan oil. Gently pour the mixture all over your scalp and start massaging it for about 3 minutes. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes before you rinse it off.
More Scalp Care Info:
- DIY Rosemary Hair Rinse for Hair Growth, Gray Hair & Itchy Scalp
- How to Treat Scalp Acne Naturally
- How to Use Turmeric for Scalp Psoriasis
- DIY Scalp Treatment for Hair Growth
- Homemade Scalp Moisturizer
Buy Ebook: All-Natural Hair Care Guide with Essential Oils!
Want to know more about essential oils for hair and how to make scalp & hair care recipes with essential oils? Check out our ebook: Essential Oils for Hair and Scalp. This ebook guide talks about the magical properties, benefits & uses of essential oils for your scalp and hair with over 100 recipes to make your own chemical-free hair products for a healthy scalp and beautiful hair.
Take Care
- First check with your doctor to see if essential oils are okay to be used by you if you suffer from hypertension, skin allergies and other medical conditions.
- Always use 100% pure and high quality essential oils.
- Never use essential oils ‘neat’ onto your skin. Always dilute first with a carrier oil (1 drop of essential oil in 1 tsp of carrier oil). For more info read: How to Dilute Essential Oils
- If you are pregnant or lactating and would like to use essential oils for nail growth, please first consult your doctor as most essential oils are not safe to use for pregnancy/lactating women.
AlessandroDonatello says
How often?
catherine m kelly says
Thought you might like to know: when you are discussing the lemon essential oil treatment you state peppermint oil ideas. Was this on purpose and in conjunction with the essential lemon treatment? I am very new to the essential oils for hair loss and need to ensure that I am not going to cause more hair loss due to mixing errors. I love lemon and would like to try this! 🙂
“To 2 teaspoons of coconut oil, add just two drops of lemon essential oil, mix well and massage this gently onto your scalp. You could also lightly warm the coconut oil before adding the peppermint essential oil for the treatment to work better. Leave it on for at least 40 minutes before rinsing off well with warm/tepid water.”
Aspen says
Thanks for pointing that out. I’ve corrected it 🙂
Kelli says
How often do you do these treatments for itchy scalp?