Head lice are an embarrassing problem, but very common among families with school-age children. There are natural herbal home remedies that will work to get rid of a head lice infestation that you can use in the privacy of your own home. The first step in making sure to stop an infestation is to look for the signs and symptoms in your children.
From the Kitchen
Lemon and lime juice are used in a number of home remedies to remove lice and eggs from the scalp. Lemon juice has been cited as effective at preventing an infestation from occurring at all. Simply use fresh lemon juice on your scalp once a week to keep lice from infesting your hair and scalp.
Almonds and lime juice is another home remedy that will kill head lice. Grind up ten almonds, add 2 teaspoons of lime juice, and make a paste. Apply the paste to your scalp and keep it on for at least a half hour.
Wash the hair with vinegar to kill lice and nits within two days. You can also mix vinegar with baby oil and keep it on the hair for an hour before shampooing to rid the hair of lice.
Garlic paste and lime juice is another kitchen remedy for head lice that will kill the lice and the eggs. Keep the mixture on the hair for at least 30 minutes before washing off. Repeat the process as often as necessary until there are no nits or lice seen on the scalp.
Shaving Cream
Shaving cream is a home remedy that has been found to effectively kill head lice and eggs on the scalp. Use these treatments as often as necessary to eliminate lice and their eggs.
Vaseline and Oils
Vaseline, mayonnaise and olive oil on the hair and scalp over night can make it difficult for the lice to breathe. It might be a little difficult to remove Vaseline from the hair after the treatment, as well. Dish detergent is sometimes needed to break down the Vaseline and get it out of your hair. Wear a shower cap when leaving these treatments on your hair overnight to protect your pillow and bed from the oily ingredients.
Listerine
Listerine brand mouthwash has been very effective at killing head lice and removing them from the scalp. Listerine contains eucalyptol, thymol and menthol that are the main ingredients for killing head lice and the nits.
Whenever you are dealing with a lice infestation, you must also thoroughly wash any bedding, pillows and towels that you or your child has used while you were infested with lice. Keep an eye out for additional infestations among the rest of the family. Once lice are in the home, it can be difficult to cure them among everyone. Wash everyone’s hair with your home remedy to be sure that there are no live lice left in the house.