Natural response: Are there natural remedies for head lice?

The opportunist Head Lice is the scurge of the school years. They cause itchiness due to a lice allergy but many, sufferers are unaware of a problem until a friend or hairdresser spots the telltale signs Wet combing is a good method of lice detection. Wash hair as normal, coating it with regular conditioner and using a lice detection comb to methodically comb through the hair and find lice. If you find lice, there are natural alternatives, to chemical insecticide treatments. Neem oil, coconut oil and various essential oils including Tea Tree and Lavender are very effective and Aloe Vera juice can be applied topically on cotton wool pads to to reduce any redness or itching caused by lice allergy.To use essential oils mix 2 ounces of olive oil with 15 to 20 drops of the essential oil. Apply to the scalp using cotton balls. Leave this mixture on the scalp and hair overnight.An old fashioned remedy used by my granny was to use Apple Cider Vinegar followed by coconut oil. You rinse the hair with Apple Cider Vinegar using cotton wool balls to dap it on (but please be very careful not to get it anywhere near the child’s eyes !) This apparently loosens the glue that holds the nits in place. Leave the vinegar in the hair until it dry’s then coat the hair and scalp completely with the coconut oil to suffocate the head lice. Wash and comb through to remove any fall out

Response from Nikki Biddiss, Medical Herbalist:

January 31 is National Bug-Busting day aimed at preventing head lice which are notoriously difficult to treat. Contrary to popular belief, head lice don’t jump from head to head but climb and so primary/nursery children are most at risk as they tend to play closely together. It can also then be spread around families. It doesn’t matter if hair is clean or dirty, lice will settle wherever they can!Parents are increasingly hesitant about using harsh chemicals and indeed they are often ineffective and potentially harmful. Lice are best detected on wet hair as they are forced to stop and literally hold their breath while the hair dries out and they can start moving around again. So shampoo hair using ordinary shampoo and conditioner (I always recommend using gentle environmentally friendly products on children). Don’t rinse the conditioner out. Start with a wide-toothed comb to straighten and detangle the hair. Then use a fine toothed comb (the best has a slanted- edge, available via the NHS website) and comb each area of the scalp, wiping the conditioner onto a tissue as you go- you will see any lice present in the conditioner. Repeat this every few days until the combed conditioner is clear and you can do this periodically to check hair too. This can be done on the whole family. Change sheets and towels regularly and wash them at a high temperature, when there is an infestation.

Consult your health practitioner before following any advice if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have underlying health issues or are on any other medication.

Nikki Biddiss is a Medical Herbalist, Aromatherapy Massage Therapist and Stress and Wellbeing Coach. To book a consultation For Nikki call Napier’s, 61 Cresswell Street, Glasgow on 0141 339 5859.

Irene McCabe is a Naturopathic Nutritionist and has been an Independent Nutritional Researcher for over 30 years. Irene also practices Allergy and Intolerance Testing and Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapy and is the former owner of Napier’s in Glasgow’s West End. To book a consultation For Irene call The Harvest Clinic, 201 West George Street, Glasgow on 0141 333 0878 Email responsenatural@gmail.com