Scalp Psoriasis Can Be Treated Naturally With Essential Oils: Myth or Fact?
Psoriasis is an inflammatory condition of the skin displaying symptoms like inflammation, blood loss and itching. While you may experience psoriasis on any part of your body, it is mostly seen on the knees, elbows, butts, back of the wrists and surface areas of the scalp. As a previous psoriasis sufferer, I have had thickened areas with silvery scales appearing on my lower back, knees, elbows and the scalp.
While psoriasis on the scalp is generally not noticeable, in some cases it can be severe and long lasting. Intense itching may not allow you to sleep comfortably and scratching can lead to hair loss. While there is no permanent remedy for psoriasis on the scalp, symptomatic relief can easily be offered with the use of Essential Oils and severity of the disease can be minimized to a significant extent, allowing an individual to stay clear of the disease for years. Keeping that in mind, here is what you should know about using Essential Oils for relief in psoriasis on scalp:
What Triggers Psoriasis On The Scalp?
Any kind of psoriasis, whether serious or moderate, can affect your way of life both physically and emotionally. The exact reason why psoriasis happens is still unknown. Nevertheless, experts believe that it is caused due to the overreaction of white blood cells (T-cells), which triggers swelling and other immune responses in the skin, causing quick turnover of skin cells. Use of certain medications or infections like strep throat may also trigger psoriasis.
The Best Essential Oil Psoriasis Treatment Alternative
Before we explore into the various essential oils and recipes for an all-natural treatment of scalp psoriasis, let me introduce AMOILS H-Psoriasis Formula. You can click here to read my review on this product.
Which Essential Oils Are Most Useful For The Treatment Of Psoriasis?
1. Sea Buckthorn Oil
Sea Buckthorn Oil might relieve signs of psoriasis on the scalp and support re-growth of the tissue. Omega-7 present in the Sea Buckthorn Oil plays an important role in dealing with conditions like psoriasis.
While being a potent anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial agent, Sea buckthorn Oil is rich in Vitamins A and E, fatty acids and flavonoids. Research shows that this Oil has the ability to control hormones. In addition, it can stabilize the secretions of the sebaceous glands and keep the endocrine system balanced.
Sea Buckthorn Oil can be used as a standalone remedy for psoriasis or mixed in different Essential Oil preparations. This oil can be applied topically over the impacted regions to promote regrowth of tissues and hence prevent uncomfortable and frustrating psoriasis breakouts on the scalp.
2. Neem Oil
Neem Oil is one of the more complicated Essential Oils as it contains over 140 active ingredients. It is a potent emollient, therefore softens and moistens dry and cracked skin. It recovers any lesions or scaling. In addition, Neem Oil is an effective anti-fungal and anti-bacterial that helps to nurture the scalp, soften the skin, relieve inflammation and stimulate the immune system of the body. Anything that strengthens your immune system helps with psoriasis.
3. Emu Oil
Emu Oil might help reduce signs of psoriasis on the scalp due to its natural anti-inflammatory properties. This Oil helps to relieve the symptoms of psoriasis by calming the redness, promoting smoother skin and reducing the plaque that develops on the skin of the scalp due to the effect of psoriasis.
4. Tea Tree Oil for Psoriasis On The Scalp
Tea tree Oil is one of the best remedies for psoriasis as it helps to retain all the moisture and essential nutrients that can treat the psoriasis on the scalp.
Here is how to use Tea Tree Oil for best possible relief in scalp psoriasis:
Approach 1: Tea Tree Oil
Take couple of drops of Tea Tree Oil in a tiny bowl. Dip a small cotton ball in this solution and use it straight on the impacted regions of the scalp. You can add a little amount of any natural oil to a Tea Tree Oil preparation if the solution seems to be too strong for your skin. Leave it like that for couple of hours or overnight and after that wash it off with a natural shampoo and conditioner.
Approach 2: Using Tea Tree Oil with Olive Oil
Warm a cup of Olive Oil by putting it in a pot of warm water. When it is warm, add 10-15 drops of Tea Tree Oil to it. Mix thoroughly and pour the blend in an empty bottle. Part your hair and apply this mix all over your scalp properly. Make sure that you apply more of this mix on the parts that are most affected. Continue massaging the Oil over the scalp for a couple of minutes.
Thereafter, cover your hair with plastic shower cap and leave it on for 2-3 hours. Rinse it off with a shampoo that doesn’t have sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or salt laureth sulfate. Repeat this process after every 15 days to avoid psoriasis on the scalp.
Approach 3: Using Tea Tree Oil with Lavender and Rosemary Oils
Take couple of drops of all the Oils i.e. Rosemary Oil, Lavender Oil and Tea Tree Oil and mix them well. Use this blend on parts of the scalp that are most affected. All of these Oils are anti-bacterial in nature and have properties that promote faster recovery of the impacted scalp area.
The L’orpur Problem Skin Relief Natural Cream is designed to treat and prevent recurrence of difficult skin conditions including scalp psoriasis. It has unmatched anti-bacterial and healing properties and provides instant and long-lasting relief for severely dry, cracked, itchy and irritated skin.
Few More Ways To Use Essential Oils For The Treatment Of Psoriasis On Scalp
1. Do it yourself natural treatment for psoriasis on scalp:
Ingredients
- 1-2 tablespoons of aloe vera and 1-2 teaspoons vitamin E oil
- 1 drop of Peppermint, Tea Tree or Lavender Essential Oils
Procedure
Blend all the ingredients and massage the mix into your scalp. Let the treatment soak into the skin for 30-60 minutes and then wash off using a mild aloe vera shampoo and conditioner. It’s so easy!
2. Massage blend to relieve psoriasis on the scalp
Ingredients
For this method, you will need 5 tablespoons carrier oil (such as kikui nut oil, rosehip seed oil, pumpkin seed oil, coconut oil, avocado oil and sweet almond oil), 5 drops of patchouli, 8 drops of frankincense, 8 drops of geranium, 2 drops of clary sage, 10 drops of lavender Oil, 2 drops mandarin, 2 drops of ylang ylang and 9 drops of bergamot.
Procedure
- Add the carrier oil to a glass bottle (a bottle with a dropper makes it simpler to manage).
- Add in the Essential Oils. Remember, the grade of Essential Oil you use will significantly influence the efficiency of the treatment. Use the best Essential Oils you can get your hands on and for that I recommend AMOILS range of oils, which you can source by clicking on the various links within this post.
- Put the lid on and carefully shake the bottle to blend. Massage your scalp with as much of this blend as needed two times daily.
The Bottom Line
While it is true that there is no cure to psoriasis, use of Essential Oils can significantly control the flare-ups and prevent psoriasis from coming back. If you are following your treatment plan religiously, you won’t need to endure psoriasis on the scalp for long.
Hi, dry scalp can cause dry hair which can lead to breakage and thnninig. If you feel you have dry scalp, there are things you can do. Massaging your scalp with jojoba oil is wonderful for stimulating hair growth and moisturizing your scalp. Also, using a shampoo for dry hair can help as can avoiding shampooing too often. I do recommend a natural boar bristle brush as they help to distribute your scalp oils.
Hi Shanika,
Thanks for sharing.
Regards,
Olivia
Hi, this information helps me a lot to get rid of scalp ringworm problem and I have been very thankful to you for providing this solution. Keep updating thankyou.
Hi Martin,
My pleasure.
Regards,
Olivia
Hi, Phil. Im 53 years old and has fine limp hair. I have noticed that my hair is getting thinner and having bald spot at the back area. A lot of hair strands fell off each time I shampooed and even just combing. Also, is there any oil that will aid in delaying the appearance of white hair. Thank you in advance
Hi Marics,
Thanks for your comment. Please refer to the article below about essential oils for healthy hair / hair growth.
Best essential oils and recipes for healthy hair hair loss and hair growth
I will publish an article about “coconut oil for hair” (in a few months), which is known to be helpful in delaying the appearance of white hair.
Regards,
Olivia
Question from TC:
I have a very bad case of psoriasis, specially in my scalp, Ive tried, topic corticosteroids, calcipotriene, betamethasine medication with very little or no results, next step is biologicals, which I’m not very fond of. I will like to try the oils. Which would you recommend?
Olivia’s Response:
Please refer to my article on Best Essential Oils for Scalp Psoriasis, which is the exactly the information you are looking for. You could try any of the essential oils mentioned, including tea tree oil or you could try H-Psoriasis Formula.
Olivia’s Response:
Hi Phil,
First, you may wish to stop using the “chemical” treatments and start off using essential oils. You could try Lavender essential oil to see if it works. With its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and analgesic properties, lavender oil is a good treatment for dry / flaky scalp. It will soothe the scalp and provide relief from inflammatory scalp conditions. Regular massage with Simply Hair Oil from AMOILS will nourish the hair and make it soft and shiny.
Essential oils are highly concentrated and therefore should not be applied directly to your hair / scalp. You could mix around 10 drops of Lavender oil in 30 ml base oil such as Sweet Almond oil. Massage the blend into your scalp and hair, leave it on for an hour or overnight if you prefer. Wash with a natural shampoo and let your hair dry naturally.
Please let me know how you go.
Thanks
Olivia
Questions from PT in UK:
Hi. I love your site. I think aromatherapy is the new medicine of the world. Using essential oils is a must. I to have just stared an aromatherapy course and have a lot to learn.
Question. I have a very bad dry scalp condition. I have had it for about 2-3 years. I have seen my GP and all he has given me is different kinds of shampoo My latest one is Capasal Therapeutic Shampoo. This is doing nothing. It does stop the itching now and again but it has not got rid of the dry flaky skin. It says I should need to wash my hair daily but doing this gets rid of the natural oils. I have long hair. I do not want t get it cut as I am proud of my hair. It is also on in my eye brows and in my beard. I hate it when it is on my clothes and I have to brush it every time.
Please can you help me with anything. Thank you.
PT
What will happen if you apply tea tree oil directly to the skin or scalf w/o carrier oil ?
is it proven that tea tree oil cure scalf itching…psiorasis…eczema etc. ?
Hi Dom,
It can cause serious skin irritation and itching. Yes, it has been proven, you can try the various recipes to experience relief.
Regards,
Olivia