By Audrey Lefebvre
Guest Writer for Wake Up World
Coconut oil, an essential in any natural health or beauty regimen, has a long list of applications ranging from a facial moisturizer to treating lice. Yes, you read that correctly — Coconut oil can be used in the treatment of head lice.
So how exactly does Coconut oil treat lice?
Coconut oil is fatty in nature (good fat that kills bacteria). This “fat” is what makes Coconut oil effective against lice at least 90% of the time without the use of any lice shampoos or harsh synthetic chemicals. How? Coconut oil literally suffocates the lice on the scalp. Its fatty content does not allow the lice to grasp hair. Even after washing your hair, Coconut oil persists on the hair shaft, making it a perfect continuous treatment to get rid of head lice.
The scalp of the skin requires the same care as other areas of the body. In addition to treating the scalp for lice, the medium chain fatty acid/triglycerides (MCT’S) found in coconut oil also produces an antibacterial effect, which is particularly helpful with dermal disorders and skin infections (like those caused by lice.)
Using Coconut oil will also result in soft, manageable hair that looks and feels better than before. Coconut oil is appropriate for every hair type whether curly or straight, thick or thin. Exactly what you want!
In contrast, typical lice treatments contain chemicals such as Permethrin, Carbaryl, and Pyrethroids in the form of oils or shampoos. These chemicals do the job of killing lice as effectively as Coconut oil, except they come with the added potential side effects of paralysis, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, blurred vision and pneumonia. (You only want to get rid the lice right?) Keep in mind: although you are washing your head with these chemicals, chemicals are absorbed through the skin of the scalp and straight into your body, just like anything you apply to your skin.
Treating Lice with Coconut Oil
It’s simple to use the natural properties of coconut oil to treat lice, and you don’t have to resort to harsh chemicals. In addition to treating lice, it also heals, strengthens and repairs your scalp naturally.
Follow this guide to defeat lice with Coconut oil!
- Heat coconut oil to a comfortable skin temperature.
- Coat the scalp with coconut oil using a comb (discard comb after use).
- Using a louse detection comb, remove any nits in the hair shaft.
- Shampoo the hair with an organic, toxic free shampoo bar. A shampoo bar is recommended as it is easier to hold, scrub your scalp with, and even go deeper into the hair follicles, compared to liquid soap.
- Dry hair with a towel (wash towel accordingly).
- Apply heated coconut oil to the scalp generously.
- Leave oil in for at least 12 hours, wrap hair if leaving oil in overnight.
- Use a louse detection comb to remove dead lice.
- Repeat as needed (process should need a maximum of just two repetitions).
- Routinely observe for lice in all members of the household.
The nits or eggs of the lice will have to be combed out before they hatch to prevent new live lice as soon as possible.
If one person in the household experiences lice, it is highly recommended for all household members to be checked for lice and immediately begin the coconut oil regimen. The sooner it is caught, the sooner the problem will be solved.
Other Uses for Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a healthy cooking choice, and an excellent moisturizer for the skin and hair, oral cleanser and whitener (oil pulling), and even a makeup remover.
What other ways do you use coconut oil?
Have you used a similar method to treat lice before?
Let us know in the comments below or join the conversation on Facebook!
References:
- http://www.nontoxicalternatives.com/Head-Lice-Treatment.html
- http://www.emedicinehealth.com/drug-medium_chain_triglycerides/article_em.htm
About the author:
Audrey Lefebvre R.N. specializes in Integrative Medicine, incorporating traditional and holistic care. Audrey holds over 5 years of experience in direct patient care and 4 years in the practice of Mind, Body and Spirit Care under the supervision of Dr. Ron Shemesh, M.D.
Audrey has made several distinguished contributions to media outlets such as Mother Earth Living and Natural News. Topics discussed include natural skincare regimens and alternative ways to improve our lifestyle.
You can connect with Audrey at:
- Website: castilesoap.com/blog
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/classicsong
- Twitter: twitter.com/castilesoapUSA
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