| Essential oils are becoming a popular method to deal | | | | Sweet almond oil, jojoba or grape seed oil are other |
| with childhood head lice.The pesticide treatments | | | | good choices. |
| commonly used contain toxins that pose serious | | | | 4 TBS (2oz) vegetable oil (or vodka) |
| health threats. Because the scalp has many blood | | | | 1 tsp castor oil (optional) |
| vessels close to the skin, these toxic substances are | | | | 20 drops tea tree oil |
| absorbed directly into the bloodstream. | | | | Blend well. Have child sit on a chair in the bathtub. |
| Pesticide treatments which are commonly used to | | | | Apply mixture to scalp and hair. Use only the |
| repel lice contain toxins that pose serious health | | | | necessary amount to make sure entire scalp and hair |
| threats. Because the scalp has many blood vessels | | | | is coated. Cover with plastic shower cap. Leave on |
| close to the skin, these toxic substances are | | | | for several hours. Then wash and condition hair. |
| absorbed directly into the bloodstream. | | | | Comb hair thoroughly with nit comb. Then rinse hair |
| Harmful side effects from chemical lice treatments | | | | with the following rinse. |
| include nervous system damage, convulsions, | | | | FINAL RINSE |
| seizures, nausea, vomiting, headaches, mental | | | | 1-quart warm water |
| confusion and even death. To make matters worse, | | | | ¼ cup cider vinegar |
| these pesticides are becoming less effective as lice | | | | 2-5 drops tea tree oil |
| are developing a resistance to them. This often leads | | | | Shake well to disperse essential oil. Pour over clean |
| to repeated treatments. The additional exposure | | | | hair. Do not rinse out. When hair dries, saturate a nit |
| adds to the potential harm. | | | | comb with tea tree oil and re-comb. |
| Head lice are highly contagious and very common | | | | LAUNDRY |
| among children. Because certain essential oils are | | | | Lice can remain alive for up to 72 hours after they |
| highly effective against lice, there is absolutely no | | | | have left the human host. Re-infestation can occur if |
| reason to expose children to dangerous pesticide | | | | lice remain on pillows, bed linen, combs, clothes and |
| treatment. | | | | towels. Completely wash all clothing and bedding. One |
| Laboratory tests (Veal 1996) show the essential oils | | | | teaspoon of tea tree oil can be added to each wash |
| of aniseed, cinnamon leaf, red thyme, tea tree, | | | | load. A few drops can be added to a washcloth and |
| peppermint, nutmeg and oregano to be effective in | | | | placed in the dryer with clothes and bedding. Dry on |
| killing live lice and their eggs. Other essential oils used | | | | hottest setting available. |
| to repel lice include lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, | | | | SHAMPOO |
| juniper berry, bergamot, clary sage, and lemongrass. | | | | During the weeks following lice infestation use the |
| Tea tree oil may be the best choice for several | | | | following shampoo formula. Add 2-4 drops of tea |
| reasons. Tea tree oil was found to be 93% effective | | | | tree oil to your normal amount of shampoo for one |
| against killing adult lice and 83% effective in killing | | | | use. Leave shampoo in for five minutes before rinsing |
| their eggs. It is generally safe and is one of the only | | | | out. Finish with final rinse. Comb with nit comb. |
| essential oils that can be used neat (undiluted) on the | | | | PREVENTATIVE MEASURES |
| skin (in small amounts.) Tea tree oil can be used on | | | | To prevent lice from infesting your child's hair, |
| children as young as one year old. Tea tree oil is so | | | | especially if there is a potential threat, several |
| versatile that it should be on hand in every household. | | | | precautions can be taken. The shampoo and rinse |
| Having it on hand for other uses will prevent having | | | | formula described above can be used for |
| to search for ingredients when dealing with a lice | | | | precautionary measures. Another quick method to |
| infestation that requires prompt action. | | | | deter potential lice infestation is to dab a few drops |
| Many of the essential oils listed above should not be | | | | of tea tree oil on your fingertips and run your finger |
| used on children. It is important to check safety data | | | | through child's hair. |
| before using any essential oil. Oregano oil and red | | | | Warn your child about head to head contact with |
| thyme oil should not be used at all. All essential oils, | | | | other children. Advise them not to share hats, |
| including tea tree should only be used by children on | | | | helmets, brushes and hair accessories. If they are in |
| an "as needed" basis, and must be properly diluted. | | | | day care or elementary school get in a habit of |
| Essential oils can be used both to rid the scalp of lice | | | | checking their scalp for nits on a regular basis. Early |
| when an infestation is present and as a preventative | | | | detection will allow quicker relief with fewer side |
| measure when there is a potential threat. | | | | effects such as itching and scabbing. |
| To rid the scalp of lice the essential oils must be | | | | Tea tree oil is known as a "first aid kit in a bottle". If |
| diluted in a vegetable oil or alcohol. Vegetable oil may | | | | you keep a bottle on hand for possible lice infections, |
| be the best choice for smothering lice and to soothe | | | | you will soon discover it's many other uses and |
| scalp that may be sore or itchy from infestation. | | | | benefits. |
| Olive oil or vodka is fine if you have it on hand. | | | | |