Tea Tree Oil and Head Lice - Research and User's Forum

Looking for an alternative to treating head lice? Combining tea tree oil and head lice is a common non-toxic treatment that avoids the use of pesticides. Does it really work or is it a waste of time and money? Here you'll learn more about the use of tea tree oil and lice treatment.

What is Head Lice?

Head Lice

Head lice are human parasites that infest your hair and scalp. There's a common myth that head lice infections are due to unsanitary living conditions, but this is false. Head lice can affect all ages and socio-economic classes.

Lice can't jump or fly from one person's head to yours so you can't get infected being near someone with head lice. You can get infected when your head contacts an infected person's head, or you share their hat, combs, towels or other head wear.

Most treatments use fine tooth combs to comb out the eggs (nits) or applying medication on the scalp and hair to kill off the adult lice. Most of these medications are like pesticides and affect the nervous system of the lice, which eventually kills them. However, if you don't want to expose yourself to pesticides, there are healthier alternatives.

One popular method is the use of tea tree oil on lice. Recent studies show this natural tree oil is effective at stopping head lice.

Using Tea Tree Oil to Kill Lice - Research Study

Dublin, Ireland - Researchers discover 2 specific ingredients in tea tree oil kill head lice. 1,8-cineole and terpinen-4-ol were found to inhibit a specific enzyme in lice, resulting in nerve death.

This study on tea tree oil and head lice is encouraging. Other important factors to consider for best success are:

• The strength of tea tree oil used.

• How much oil used for effective results.

• How long the oil is kept on the scalp to kill the lice.

• How many treatments needed for lasting results.

Instructions for Tea Tree Oil and Head Lice Treatments

Tea tree oil shampoos may kill head lice

One method is by pouring a small amount of your regular shampoo in your palm and adding 100% tea tree oil to it.

• Shampoo your hair and massage this mixture into your scalp. It's recommended you do this every time you normally wash your hair.

• After shampooing your hair, use a nit comb to help remove lice from your scalp.

• Repeat this procedure 3 - 4 times per week until head lice are gone.

You can also get tea tree oil shampoos that are conveniently pre-mixed with the oil and ready to use.

Product Recommendations for Tea Tree Oil and Head Lice Shampoos

Adding a few drops of 100% tea tree oil to your regular shampoo can help you fight head lice and improve your scalp health.

Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Oil is an excellent tea tree oil to add to your regular shampoo. This oil has a high terpinen-4-ol content for maximum germicidal activity.

Try adding a few drops of this healthy oil to your shampoo when you wash your hair and work it into your scalp. Try to leave it your scalp for a few minutes before rinsing.

You can also use Tea Tree Oil Shampoos. These specialty shampoos have the tea tree oil mixed right and are ready to go.

Using Jason Natural Cosmetics Tea Tree Oil Hair & Scalp Therapy Shampoo is an effective way to combine the anti-microbial powers of tea tree oil with a gentle cleansing natural shampoo. Some people may not find this formulation strong enough so you may have to add additional tea tree oil to the shampoo when you use it.

Another product is Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Deep Scalp Cleansing Shampoo. This shampoo contains tea tree oil for natural treatment of head lice. The tea tree oil has a high terpinen-4-ol content, the primary germicidal shown to have an effect on head lice.

You may also be interested in Lice Eliminating Natural Shampoo. This is an all natural, non-toxic, head lice kit that uses enzymes to eliminate head lice. The customer reviews at Amazon.com appear quite favorable for this product.

Many people have reported great success combining tea tree oil and head lice treatments. If you're concerned about side effects from anti-lice medications, tea tree oil may be the natural cure for head lice you're looking for.

Research References:

Have You Used Tea Tree Oil for Head Lice?
Please Share Your Story Here.

Have you used tea tree oil for head lice? What method did you use and how were your results? What brand of tea tree oil did you use? Do you have another way to treat head lice that was successful? Why not share your experience here with us? Your contribution is greatly appreciated and other people may be helped by your experience.

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