What Are Head Lice?
Head lice are parasites residing in the hair that feed on scalp blood. They lay eggs (known as nits) and cause intense itchiness. However, they are not harmful and do not spread any disease. They are highly contagious, though, and spread quickly from one scalp to another (1). Head lice are quite a common problem among pre-schoolers and school-going children. Statistics show that an estimated 6 to 12 million lice infestations occur in the US among children between 3 and 11 years of age (2). Essential oils are growing in popularity as treatments for head lice. Along with combing, the application of essential oils is proven to be effective in preventing head lice (3), (4). We have discussed some of the more effective essential oils in the following section.
Essential Oils For Lice Prevention
1. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil helps relieve chronic pruritus (itching that persists for 6 weeks) (5). The strong odor and the insecticidali The property of a substance or ingredient that helps in killing insects or controlling their growth. properties of this oil could make it a strong lice deterrent (6). You Will Need 4 tablespoons of peppermint oil 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil Duration 30 minutes How To Apply
2. Lavender Oil
The insect-repelling properties of lavender oil can cut down the risk of lice. The oil suffocates the lice with its smell and prevents their proliferation (7), (8). The active ingredients of lavender oil have antibacterial and antifungal properties that soothe the scalp and halt the growth of microorganisms (9). Moreover, mice studies have shown that lavender oil may also relax the scalp and promote hair growth (10). You Will Need
10 drops of lavender oil 3 tablespoons of any carrier oil (jojoba, coconut, or olive)
Duration 2 hours (repeat the process every alternate day for 10 days) How To Apply
3. Aniseed Oil
The strong odor and the volatile compounds of aniseed possess antimicrobial properties that could halt the growth of any pathogens and control head lice (11), (12). A study in the Israel Journal of Medical Sciences showed that natural remedies with the application of essential oils reduced lice infestations in children within 15 days (13). You Will Need
3 tablespoons of coconut oil 4-5 drops of aniseed oil 3 tablespoons of tea tree oil (optional)
Duration 3 hours How To Apply
4. Neem Oil
Neem has insecticidal properties that destroy head lice and kill the larvae within 7-10 days of application (14). It is used in natural insect repellent products. Neem also may soothe an irritated scalp and improve hair health. You Will Need
1 tablespoon of coconut oil 1 tablespoon of neem oil
Duration 30 minutes How To Apply
5. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil was found to show some efficacy in halting the growth of lice (15). Further research had shown that a 1% concentration of tea tree oil for 30 minutes could kill 100% of head lice (16). Another study showed that a combination of essential oils, including tea tree oil, may effectively eradicate head lice (17), (7). You Will Need
3 drops of tea tree oil Any chemical-free shampoo
Duration 30 minutes How To Apply Saleah, a professional lice removal expert and vlogger, conducted an experiment to see how effective tea tree oil is in killing head lice. She submerged a few lice in some tea tree oil using a petri dish. She left the lice in the dish for 20 minutes and then cleaned them and let them dry for about 10 minutes to see if they were dead or simply unconscious. She says, “Still, one of them did survive, so not a hundred percent effective on the bugs that were in the petri dish. I think it’s (the oil) one of those things that you would have to submerge your head in and still use a comb (i).”
6. Rosemary Oil
The volatile compounds in rosemary essential oil reduce head lice and relieve scalp itching (18). In combination with other essential oils, rosemary oil may also be effective in promoting hair growth (19). You Will Need
8 drops of rosemary oil Any chemical-free shampoo
Duration 5 to 10 minutes How To Apply
7. Clove Oil
The odor of clove oil can drive lice away. The two components of clove oil, eugenoli A pale yellow, aromatic liquid present in oils, especially clove oil, that are often used in perfumery. and beta-caryophyllene, act as lice repellents (15), (20), (21). You Will Need
4 drops of clove essential oil Any shampoo
Duration 5 minutes How To Apply
8. Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil is a potent disinfectant that fights against inflammation and soothes wounds. A study showed that Australian eucalyptus oil effectively treats head lice and provides relief from itching (22), (23). You Will Need
3 drops of clove essential oil Any natural shampoo
Duration 10-20 minutes How To Apply
9. Cinnamon Leaf Oil
Cinnamon leaf oil possesses antimicrobial and antioxidant properties (24). It also contains benzyl benzoate and cinnamaldehyde that help kill head lice and prevent other bacterial and fungal infections (25). You Will Need
4-5 drops of cinnamon leaf oil 3 tablespoons of jojoba oil 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil Shower cap
Duration 4 to 5 hours How To Apply
10. Red Thyme Oil
Red thyme oils phenols and oxides may help fight head lice (26). You Will Need
10 drops of red thyme oil 4 tablespoons of coconut oil or olive oil
Duration 2 to 3 hours How To Apply Kriquett Howells, a pro-natural wellness vlogger, used some essential oils to combat a lice infestation. She initially used chemical treatments from the drugstore that were effective but raised concerns about exposing them to her kids. She found natural alternatives safe and quite effective. She used a combination of essential oils, such as eucalyptus, geranium, rosemary, arborvitae, etc., mixed with a carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil. She says, “I prefer to make sure that they are completely dead, so I actually suggest just leaving it on for around 4 hours or more (ii).” Head lice can be troublesome. But the right hair care regimen can help you get rid of them altogether. Use these essential oils to get the best results. We also have discussed a few tips for preventing head lice.
Other Tips For Head Lice Prevention
According to the British Medical Journal, wet combing is effective in removing head lice. It makes the lice visible and differentiates them from dandruff, helping in their quick removal (27). Brush your hair twice daily to disrupt the movement of the lice. Along with essential oils, you may also use an anti-lice shampoo. It cleanses your scalp and the hair shaft. Its ingredients can also halt the growth of the nits. Always ensure you dilute the plant essential oils before use. You can use water or oil or even shampoos and conditioners for this purpose. Essential oils are highly concentrated and can affect your skin if used undiluted. Keep your scarf, comb, pillow, towels, headsets, and earbuds separate. Avoid sharing such items with others.
Can coconut oil prevent lice? No. The thick consistency of coconut oil may suffocate lice, but there is no evidence that it prevents lice from recurring. How do you dilute tea tree oil for lice prevention? You may use 3-5 drops of tea tree oil in 1 oz of shampoo for lice treatment. However, no scientific evidence proves that this remedy may prevent lice infestation. Can you suffocate lice with conditioner? Yes. Anecdotal evidence claims that conditioning your hair before using the lice comb can make it easier to remove them. The thick conditioner can stun the lice for a few minutes, making removal easier. Is apple cider vinegar good for lice? While various anecdotal reports suggest apple cider vinegar kills head lice, no clinical or scientific evidence supports this claim. Can head lice live on pillows and sheets? Yes. Head lice can live on pillows and sheets but not for very long. They need a host to feed on and survive. Does baking soda get rid of lice? No. Baking soda may help soothe the itching due to lice, but it doesn’t help to kill or eliminate them. Discover the truth about using tea tree oil to remove lice in this must-watch video. Get an expert’s opinion and cautionary advice to ensure your safety and effectiveness in using this remedy. Click on this video below to know more!
