They are a pest, when a kid in the nursery has, it is only a matter of time before everyone has. We talk about lice! A being who makes his life to find a guest so he can start creating his colony. There are 5000 different species of lice, and their hosts vary from birds, mammals, even the marine, no one escapes!

Neither does the human being, and here we go washing our hair again!

In the war against lice there are several medicines, shampoos and pharmacy creams with ingredients such as Permethrin, Pyrethrin (can be considered an organic insecticide when it is not combined with other artificial chemicals) and DEET (N, N-diethyl -metha-toluamide) a chemical developed by the USA at the time of World War II. Originally developed to function as a pesticide in rural areas, it was later used for military and later civilian use in 1957.

Although effective, most of these ingredients are synthetic and their action can turn out to be toxic.

Isn't there any natural remedy?

Yes, there is! And it is possible to create this solution at home by mixing some quality essential oils. Essential oils are compounds synthesized / extracted using one of the following methods: steam distillation or cold pressing. These oils obtained from plants, fruits or roots has a well-known insecticidal action that is increasingly being tested in a laboratory environment.

Therefore, today we will give you the recipe to make your natural treatment for the family, oh yes, because when one gets in the family you better prevent with everyone!

In a study that included testing 54 different essential oils it was concluded that Eucalyptus, Marjoram, Pennyroyal and Rosemary were the most effective essential oils, surpassing the action of Phenotrine and Pyrethrin, ingredients present in most pharmacy medicines.

Of these oils, Pennyroyal is one of them that needs extra care, due to its high concentration of Cyclohexanone pulegone so avoid using, and Eucalyptus Essential Oil cannot be used in large quantities in children under 6 years of age due to its high concentration of Cineole (Eucalyptol).

Fortunately, there are other safer oils like Tea Tree (Melaleuca), Lavender and Rosemary which in this study also proved to be very effective.

Natural recipe for lice with essential oils

Buy a natural shampoo, for example you can use Salon Essentials Protecting Shampoo from doTERRA or a shampoo from Dr. Bronners.

Recipe for children under 6 for 250 ml (8.45 oz) of shampoo
Add the following quantities of oils:

• Tea Tree Essential Oil - 25 drops
• Lavender Essential Oil - 13 drops
• Rosemary Essential Oil - 10 drops
• Eucalyptus Essential Oil - 2 drops

Recipe for children over 6 years old for 250 ml (8.45 oz) of shampoo
Add the following quantities of oils:

• Tea Tree Essential Oil - 25 drops
• Lavender Essential Oil - 10 drops
• Rosemary Essential Oil - 10 drops
• Eucalyptus Essential Oil - 5 drops

Recipe for adults (over 17) for 250 ml (8.45 oz) of shampoo
Add the following quantities of oils:

• Tea Tree Essential Oil - 25 drops
• Lavender Essential Oil - 10 drops
• Rosemary Essential Oil - 8 drops
• Eucalyptus Essential Oil - 7 drops

Add those to your natural shampoo and there you have your shampoo for lice!Now! Apply the shampoo and after showering you have to use one of those fine lice combs to do the proper manual cleaning.

You can also create a spray to apply to dry hair with essential oils while using the comb. In fact, when you hear about head lice at school even before your child has it, it is good to apply this mixture as a way to prevent lice.

Duration of treatment?

When the lice are already installed, you have 2 weeks of redoubled hygiene throughout the house, sofas and rugs included and the use of the Shampoo and Spray daily.

Recipe for spray dry hair

For a spray with 100 ml of water put:

• Tea Tree Essential Oil - 15 drops
• Lavender Essential Oil - 5 drops
• 2 tablespoons of Glycerin

Before applying, always remember to shake well. Apply directly to the roots of the hair and comb while looking for the damn lice.

Sources:

Yang, Y., Lee, H., Clark, J., & Ahn, Y. (2004). Insecticidal Activity of Plant Essential Oils Against Pediculus humanus capitis (Anoplura: Pediculidae). & Nbsp; Journal Of Medical Entomology, & nbsp; 41 (4), 699-704. doi: 10.1603 / 0022-2585-41.4.699

Williamson, E., Priestley, C., & Burgess, I. (2007). An investigation and comparison of the bioactivity of selected essential oils on human lice and house dust mites. & Nbsp; Phytotherapy, & nbsp; 78 (7-8), 521-525. doi: 10.1016 / j.fitote.2007.06.001

Canyon, D., & Speare, R. (2007). A comparison of botanical and synthetic substances commonly used to prevent head lice (Pediculus humanus var. Capitis) infestation. & Nbsp; International Journal Of Dermatology, & nbsp; 46 (4), 422-426. doi: 10.1111 / j.1365-4632.2007.03132.x

Barker, S., & Altman, P. (2010). A randomized, blind advisor, parallel group comparative efficacy trial of three products for the treatment of head lice in children - melaleuca oil and lavender oil, pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide, and a "suffocation" product. & Nbsp; BMC Dermatol, & nbsp; 10 ( 1), 6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-5945-10-6