How to treat itchy scalp - the natural way

Itchy Scalp

What a lovely title for a post! Well, I started to have an itchy scalp several years ago while living in Switzerland. It thought it was due to the mountain life somehow and that it would be cured within a few months in the tropics when we moved to Antigua. However, to no avail. Despite all the sea swimming and low stress lifestyle, somehow I still had an itch. Some diagnosed it as psoriasis. But there did not seem to be any solution available.

Cut to several months ago, when I was flicking through the pages of Naturally Gorgeous by Charlotte Vohtz. I stumbled onto to hair care section and there she indicates that itchy scalp is most likely an allergic reaction to hair products.

She also has a paragraph abut SLS and SLES or sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate which are widely used in the cosmetic industry to cause products to give us that nice foam. The foam tricks us into thinking that we are washing more effectively. However, SLS is a known major skin irritant and SLES is a suspected carcinogen.

When I read this I dived straight into the shower to inspect the shampoo I had. Sure enough, the second ingredient was SLS. Boom, straight in the bin.

A more natural shampoo

Then it was time to find a more natural alternative. Charlotte suggests that organic products don’t contain these ingredients. I went to our local Holland & Barrett store and found the brand Faith in Nature. It doesn’t contain SLS or SLES but does have ALES or ammonium laureth sulphate which made me suspicious. However, after some further research, this has a much larger molecule size than the others so is not such an irritant. Additionally it is sourced from plant and vegetable oil and not animal fats or the petrochemical industry.

I find the best way anyway is to rinse my hair after shampooing with apple cider vinegar conditioner (1/2 apple cider vinegar - 1/2 water & a few drops rosemary oil) to remove all residue.

I was astonished after a few washes to discover the itch was gone. So from now on, I am a firm believer in the natural way.

My son loves the Dragonfruit shampoo whereas I prefer the Rosemary. We all use the Lavender and Geranium conditioner as it is so soothing.

I hope this helps at least one other person and so defy the terribly unexciting title!

On a final note

These are some lovely relevant books on this theme that I can highly recommend:

Naturally Gorgeous by Charlotte Vohtz

The Art of the Natural Home by Rebecca Sullivan

Green Hosekeeping by Christina Strutt

And some Instagram accounts to cherish:

@grannyskills (Rebecca Sullivan)

@christina_strutt (Cabbages and Roses)

I was in a grumpy mood today - very self-doubting. I drank some lovely Pukka tea that my sister gave me for Christmas - in a licorice and peppermint flavour. It was the last tea bag in the box, so now I need to buy some more.

Have a lovely evening folks, I’m already in bed, savouring the electric blanket. It’s that time of year in this lovely G-rated house!

xoxo J.