Natural Ways to Get Rid of Scalp Odor

Scalp odor comes from the apocrine glands that produce a fatty sweat in areas of the body where there is more hair. When you are under stress, the gland contracts, and the sweat is pushed to the surface of the skin where bacteria breaks it down. This bacterial breakdown of apocrine sweat can be the cause of scalp odor. There are natural ways to get rid of the odor.

Herbal Treatments

Massage jojoba oil into the scalp and leave it on for an hour. Aloe vera will soothe the scalp; it is an ingredient in many natural shampoos. Neem oil from India is a natural antiseptic; it will remove unwanted bacteria, thus reducing the possibility of odor. Olive oil is also good for the scalp. Massage it in and wrap a towel around your head. Leave olive oil on the hair for 15 to 20 minutes. Regular natural care for your scalp will not only reduce odor-causing bacteria, but also make your hair more beautiful.

Favus

A mousy scalp odor can be caused by the fungus favus, sometimes called honeycomb ringworm. It is mostly seen on young boys but can last into adulthood. The first stage is redness and inflammation; in the second stage, yellow crusts form over the hair follicles, and the hair begins to fall out. The third stage is the most severe, with large areas of hair loss. Poke root, grub root and inkberry are all detoxifying agents for favus. It is advisable, though, to also see a doctor if you suspect you have favus.

Be Clean

Bathe at least once a day; if you sweat a lot, you should bathe twice a day. This will reduce the amount of bacteria on your skin and scalp. Sometimes stress or hormonal changes can trigger the release of excess oil on your scalp, on which the bacteria feed. Shampooing will help alleviate resulting scalp odor. Gentle, plant-based shampoos are available if you need to shampoo daily. Purchase the shampoo at a natural food store or online.

Preparation and Dosage

For an alternative treatment, gather poke root in late autumn. After careful cleaning, slice lengthwise or crosswise and dry it. Put to tsp of the dried root in a cup of water, bring to a boil, and then simmer for 10 minutes. Take three times in one day. To consume as a tincture, take to 1 ml three times a day. Take only small amounts of poke root, because overdose can make you very sick and can be fatal.