Subject: Treating Dandruff with Yoghurt

Yoghurt in Natural Hair-care
  Yoghurt is a well-known natural hair treatment used for centuries by many cultures. But what a surprise! University researchers have discovered that yoghurt is great for treating dandruff.
Yoghurt, like eggs, are a high protein natural product that have the ability to condition and rejuvenate the hair. They were the main treatments for 'problem' hair recommended by Grandma's generation - well before anti-dandruff shampoos and similar commercial treatments.

Here's how to use yoghurt in hair care (from my e-book No. 14 Natural Hair Care - see details below):
Rub approximately 2 teaspoons of yoghurt through the hair. Leave 10 minutes, then rinse out. Yoghurt is good for treating dandruff and is an excellent conditioner for dry or damaged hair. Yoghurt is another high protein alternative - it will also revitalise damaged hair.
  I've placed below an excerpt from The Shoppe Newsletter No. 47 about natural hair care.

 Pam Marshall -The Self-Sufficiency Shoppe
For back issues of The Self-Sufficiency Shoppe newsletters: Click Here

Natural Hair Care Alternatives
 
   The commercial hair care business is huge - it brings in millions of dollars from consumers eager to enhance the health and appearance of their hair and deal with problem hair.  To broaden and boost sales (and profits) hair-care products focus on every possible aspect of hair management: oily hair, dry hair, everyday care, damaged hair, coloured hair, tangled hair, hair loss, 'deep root' care, etc. More products means higher sales.  New products and lines means even more sales and profit.  Sales are boosted even further if those products are made as cost effectively as possible using dubious ingredients. However all this has a detrimental consequence for the consumer (not to mention  environment).
    Modern hair shampoos are basic 'grease-strippers' - containing the same detergent base (chemical compound) used for a range of cleaning products: dish detergents, laundry powders, hand washes, floor cleaners, shower 'gels', etc.  Detergents have their place in the laundry and kitchen (if you must use them) - but using them regularly on the body (daily in some cases) could lead to long term problems.  Hair shampoos are, in essence, detergents (grease strippers) dressed up as wonder products - many with an expensive price tag.  Consumers are well and truly duped - dangerously so when it has detrimental affects.
    If you already have a problem with dry skin and redness on hands due to dishwashing detergent - then the same would apply to the scalp when using detergent based commercial shampoos. If your hands are struggling to cope with the chemicals in detergents imagine the consequences for more sensitive areas such as the as scalp and hair follicles. Constant exposure to chemicals results in the body's protective mechanisms kicking in - besides itchiness and dryness (due to absence of natural hair oils) the hair follicles may also close off and hair loss the result. 
    When I meet people via my workshops hair care is the most asked question along the line of personal care products.  My answer to everyone is the same - no matter what the problem: "Stop using chemicals, in particular, commercial shampoos" - and use, instead, less chemically orientated alternatives.  As most shampoos are detergent based grease strippers they remove essential natural oils from the scalp and expose the body to toxic chemicals that could have an adverse affect. Some of us are lucky and are able to withstand this constant bombardment with alien substances, but others not so lucky - thinning hair, hair loss, itchy scalp, over oiliness - are all warning signs that something is wrong and change is necessary.
Personal Perspective:
  ‘Hair-care’ is my favourite topic!  After years of dandruff problems using commercial shampoos and thinning hair later in life (and pointless medical checks and blood tests looking for possible causes) I came to the realisation that the chemicals in commercial preparations were my worst enemy. When I used commercial hair colouring products my hair fell out and thinned even further. So the warning signs had always been there. I now no longer use chemical preparations on my hair and use a soap-based home-made shampoo containing rosemary and lavender to stimulate hair growth – see recipe later - as a shampoo. Occasionally for something different I make up a lemon-based bleach to enhance the fairness of my hair – see Booklet No. 71 for recipe – its cheap and easy to make.  As a result my hair and scalp have greatly improved - and although the hair that I lost some years ago has not fully grown back - there has been no further hair loss and the dandruff and itchy scalp issue have become something of the past.    
 
Another Perspective:
  Here's a letter from another new adherent to natural hair care techniques:
 
Hi Pam,
    I’ve just discovered your web-site and think it’s lovely and useful.  I’ve been washing my hair using nothing but bi-carb soda and vinegar for over a year now, and it’s never been healthier.  Here's my method:
    I have a small plastic bowl in the bathroom that I put 1 – 2 tablespoons of bi-carb in just before I start my shower.  In the shower I have a plastic container of apple cider vinegar, although any vinegar will work.  After I’ve wet my hair in the shower I add to the bowl about ½ cup of water, and pour it all over my scalp. If there’s any undissolved bicarb left I do
it again. Then I rinse it out, no need to wait. I then put about 1 or 2 tablespoons of vinegar in the bowl and top up with water, and pour that over my scalp, then rinse.  Once again, there’s no need to wait for it to work, so you save water too.
    It takes about a week for your hair to get used to it, but eventually you find that you only have to wash your hair every 4 or 5 days under normal circumstances.  You’ll find your hair is much lighter because there’s no product residue, and it will behave better.  We have a septic tank and it seems to prefer the vinegar and bicarb to shampoo by far.
I’ve also found that using the bicarb solution to wash my face and the vinegar to tone works wonderfully well too.   I hope you find this helpful, all the best,        Liz (via email)
The Hair-Care Solution:
1.  Stop using detergents.  Use less chemicals (commercial products, hair dyes, bleaches, etc.)
2.  Shampoo less (let 'Mother Nature' take over - make use of the natural hair oils and allow the body to use it's own resources to heal and nurture).
3.  Be persistent -  allow your scalp time to readjust - switching from powerful grease stripping shampoos to more gentle alternatives will result in some initial 'oiliness' BUT it will settle and your body will balance out to normal levels.
Homemade Shampoo
  There are many good quality commercial hair products that contain less toxic ingredients - but they are expensive. If on a budget and more practical about environmentally friendly solutions than homemade alternatives are the answer.
  The very best natural shampoo is egg (for those of us that can remember the days of 'egg cream shampoo') - it's high in protein, froths like shampoo and wonderful for hair health. But if the thought of using fresh eggs or bicarb soda for your 'hair shampoo' is a little overwhelming then try using a bar of soap in place of commercial shampoo to wash your hair.
  Soap is gentle, contains less chemicals, is environmentally friendly and is much less likely cause adverse reactions in the body.  It will still provide that frothy shampoo experience but without the powerful grease stripping properties detrimental to hair health.  Even better this herbal soap-based shampoo will enhance even further healthy hair:
 
Herbal Soap-based Shampoo:
Grate half a bar of soap into a bowl. Add approx. 650ml of boiling water and 1 teaspoon washing soda or bicarb soda (optional - but will enhance frothing). Blend until soap has fully dissolved. When cooled add 2 tablespoons almond oil (or grape-seed oil - a cheaper alternative) and 10 drops each of rosemary and lavender essential oils. Stir well.  Pour into a screw top jar ready for use - use in the same way as commercial shampoo
Conditioners:
  Creamy hair conditioners are a modern day creation to replace what commercial hair shampoos have removed from the hair and scalp.  In times past conditioners were often applied before shampooing - olive oil, for example, to help de-tangle and add lustre to the hair.  And lemon as a mild bleach and conditioner. 
   But even when using soap-based shampoos you may find it necessary to apply a hair conditioning agent. It's reassuring to know that commercial hair conditioners contain less dreaded chemicals than commercial shampoos. So as a comprise when using soap-based shampoo still use a commercial conditioner to make hair management easier. But there are natural alternatives: cider vinegar, lemon, yoghurt,  oatmeal, almond or coconut oil, herbal rinses are some suggestions.
(See e-Booklet No. 14 - Natural Hair Care for more detail).
 
Dandruff a Problem?
  Anti-dandruff hair preparations are big business! If dandruff is your problem - perhaps first consider the fact that the powerful grease stripping properties of commercial shampoos are leaving your scalp too dry and the skin peeling away as the result.  Before purchasing expensive anti-dandruff shampoos (and applying even MORE chemicals) to resolve the problem try using a natural alternative first - it is cheaper and most definitely your hair and scalp would benefit from using less chemicals.
 
Grandma's Philosophy:
  In times past the general philosophy was that natural hair oils - produced by the body for the body - were essential for healthy hair (lustre, good growth and thickness).  Hair was washed (shampooed) once weekly with pure soap to ensure the oils remained on the scalp and around the hair follicle base to provide the right environment for healthy hair.  If the hair became over oily during the week a 'dry shampoo' was applied - such as oatmeal, bicarb soda, bran, rice-four, etc. It was rubbed well into the scalp and then thoroughly brushed out - leaving hair oil free and shiny. All this makes complete practical sense - sometimes it pays to take heed of the wisdom of times past!
For more information.....
 
e-Book No. 14 - Natural Hair Care. Includes numerous natural recipes for shampoos, conditioners, rinses, herbs for hair care, specific hair problems: dandruff, oily hair, baldness, graying hair, frizziness. Covers dry shampoos, hair spray and hair setting lotion.    Price: 12.00.  To download click here
e-Book No. 71 - Natural Hair Dyes & Colours: Commercial hair dyes contain powerful carcinogenic chemicals - this booklet offers safe, cheap and easy-to-make chemical free alternatives to commercial hair dyes and colours using natural materials. Covers: hair rinses & dyes using such ingredients as: sage, chamomile, lemon juice, rhubarb, black tea, coffee, turmeric, red wine, hibiscus, henna and more.   Price: 12.00   To download click here    
  The chemical we come into daily contact with (more than any other household chemical) is detergent. There is a price to pay - not only for our health but the environment. This e-booklet explains more about the topic:
e-Book No. 50 - Recycling Soap:  Soap: The environmentally friendly alternative to detergent. Contains many simple suggestions and recipes for:  rose liquid hand soap, lemon dish-washing soap, rosemary & lavender hair shampoo, soap-based garden spray, wash-balls, heavy-duty cleansing powder, soap-bags, old English wash-balls, 'gourmet soaps' (pet soap, honey soap, etc.), beeswax polish (containing soap) and other interesting uses.  You'll be amazed at the things that can be done with a simple bar of soap - including making putty, poultice and as a drawer liner
Price: 12.00   To download click here    
Chemicals applied to the body on a daily basis and left all day are the most dangerous. This e-book set outlines the  alternatives:

Natural Hair & Body Care e-Book Set
Safe and chemical free alternatives for: hair-care, hair dyes and colours, deodorants, foot and teeth care.
5 Booklets: No. 1 Homemade Toothpastes & Mouthwashes, No. 2 Recipes for Homemade Deodorants, No.14 Natural Hair Care, No. 27 Fantastic Feet, No. 71 Natural Hair Colours & Dyes. Price: $39.00   To download click here
Natural Body & Hair Products 'Workshop at Home' Download
Creating alternatives to commercial products at home using simple ingredients from the home and garden.
Natural, safe alternatives for deodorants, body powders, shampoos, hair dyes, toothpaste and foot care. All chemical free using natural ingredients (from kitchen and garden)
Recipes and procedures for making: Lavender spray deodorant, herbal deodorant spray,  rose deodorant/body powder, chamomile body  powder, herbal hair shampoo, deodorising foot powder, teeth-cleaning powder, lemon hair bleach, dry hair shampoo
Price:  $25.00   To download click here  
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Special Offer: All FOUR workshop downloads - $85.00 
To download click here
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