Anjali Sayee
Onion juice is a popular solution to get rid of dandruff because it is readily available and antimicrobial and antifungal (1), (2), (3). In this article, we will look at some DIY methods of using onion juice to reduce dandruff. Scroll down for more information.
How Onion Juice Helps Reduce Dandruff
Onion juice is a traditional remedy for treating dandruff and hair loss problems. Studies show that it can help eliminate Malassezia furfur, fungi that cause dandruff (4). It also stimulates the circulation of blood in the scalp and aids hair growth (5).
Let’s now look at the different ways to use onion juice to eliminate dandruff.
Best Onion Juice DIY Remedies To Help Reduce Dandruff
1. Onion Juice
You Will Need
- 1 large onion
- A blender
What You Need To Do
- Cut the onion into pieces and blend them.
- Massage the juice into your scalp. Leave it on for 30 minutes.
- Rinse it off with a mild shampoo.
How Often?
Do this 1-2 times a week.
2. Fenugreek Seeds And Onion Juice
Fenugreek extracts helped inhibit the growth of M. furfur (the dandruff-causing fungi) in animal studies (6). Further animal studies also showed that fenugreek could promote hair growth (7).
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds
- A bowl of water
- 2 tablespoons of onion juice
What You Need To Do
- Soak the fenugreek seeds overnight in water.
- Grind them into a fine paste and mix with onion juice in the morning.
- Apply the paste on the scalp and wash off after half an hour.
How Often?
Do this 1-2 times a week.
3. Aloe Vera And Onion Juice
Aloe vera helps in soothing an itchy scalp and eliminating dandruff (8). It keeps your hair hydrated and forms a protective layer on it.
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
- 3 tablespoons of onion juice
What You Need To Do
- Mix aloe vera gel with onion juice and apply the mixture to your scalp and lightly massage it in.
- Leave it on for about 10 minutes and then rinse.
How Often?
You can do this 2-3 times a week.
4. Green Gram Powder And Onion Juice
Green gram is a popular ingredient used to combat dandruff. It is a part of many anti-dandruff herbal shampoos (9). This combo will moisturize your hair and keep it dandruff-free.
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons of green gram powder
- 1 tablespoon of onion juice
What You Need To Do
- Mix green gram powder and onion juice until you obtain a smooth paste.
- Apply the paste to the scalp and hair as a hair mask. Leave it on until it dries.
- Rinse your hair with water.
How Often?
2 times a week.
5. Beetroot And Onion Juice
Beetroot has been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years to treat dandruff (10).
You Will Need
- 2-3 beetroots
- Water
- 1 tablespoon onion juice
What You Need To Do
- Boil the beetroots in water and let them cool. Smash them and make a paste.
- Mix the beetroot paste with onion juice.
- Massage this mixture into the scalp with your fingertips before you go to bed.
How Often?
You can do this every day until the dandruff problem comes under control.
6. Snake Gourd And Onion Juice
Snake gourd can hydrate the scalp and improve scalp and hair health (11). This combination not only helps you get rid of dandruff but also prevents its recurrence.
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon of snake gourd juice
- 1 tablespoon of onion juice
What You Need To Do
- Mix snake gourd juice with onion juice and rub it all over your scalp.
- Leave it on for half an hour and rinse.
How Often?
Apply the mixture 2-3 times a week.
7. Lemon Juice And Onion Juice
Lemon juice removes the bad odor of onion from the hair. The mixture treats dandruff and soothes an itching scalp if used regularly (12). Anecdotal evidence suggests that lemon juice cleanses the scalp, while the onion juice prevents dandruff and increases hair growth.
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon onion juice
What You Need To Do
- Mix onion juice with lemon juice and apply it to the scalp.
- Leave it on until it dries (about 20 minutes) and then rinse.
How Often?
Do this once in two days.
8. Olive Oil And Onion Juice
Olive oil adds strength, softness, and shine to the hair (13). The mixture moisturizes the hair and scalp and keeps your scalp itch-free and dandruff-free.
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of olive oil
- 3 teaspoons of onion juice
What You Need To Do
- Mix olive oil with onion juice. Apply this mixture to your scalp and hair.
- Wrap a hot towel around your hair for half an hour.
- Wash it off with a mild shampoo.
How Often?
Do this once a week for effective results.
9. Coconut Oil And Onion Juice
Coconut oil can moisturize the scalp and soothe itching. A study found that coconut oil had moisturizing properties and exhibited broad-spectrum activity against fungi (14). Another study showed that coconut oil could penetrate the hair shaft, nourishing it from within (15). It prevents protein loss and protects the hair from UV rays. This combo can help reduce dandruff, strengthen hair, and induce hair growth.
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of lime juice
- 5 teaspoons of coconut oil
- 3 tablespoons of onion juice
What You Need To Do
- Mix lime juice, coconut oil, and onion juice in a mixer.
- Apply this mixture to the scalp and wash it away after 20 to 30 minutes.
How Often?
Do this 2 times a week.
10. Apple Cider Vinegar And Onion Juice
Anecdotal evidence suggests that apple cider vinegar not effectively reduces dandruff but also protects hair from damage. It also acts as a hair cleanser. ACV also helps balance the pH level of hair since it has acetic acid. However, there are no scientific studies to prove these effects.
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of onion juice
What You Need To Do
- Mix apple cider vinegar and onion juice.
- Massage it into the scalp for 5 to 7 minutes.
How Often?
Do this once a week.
11. Apple Juice And Onion Juice
According to a study, apple extracts can promote hair growth and increase hair density, weight, and keratin content (16).
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons of apple juice
- 2 tablespoons of onion juice
What You Need To Do
- Mix the apple juice with the onion juice and apply this mixture on your scalp.
- Leave this on for about 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse your hair thoroughly.
How Often?
Do this 2-3 times a week.
Dandruff is a menace. Before the problem gets worse, try these combinations with onion juice and watch your hair transform.
Expert’s Answers For Readers’ Questions
Can I store onion juice?
Yes, you can, but only for 2-3 days. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
What is the nutritional value of onion juice?
Onion juice contains vitamin C, vitamin B6, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, iron, chromium, phosphorus, and sulfur.
16 sources
- Santas, Jonathan, MarÃa Pilar Almajano, and Rosa Carbó. “Antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of crude onion (Allium cepa, L.) extracts.â€Â International journal of food science & technology 45.2 (2010): 403-409.
https://ifst.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2621.2009.02169.x - Singh, Abhinav & Lehari, Khyati & Bharadwaj, Nidhi & Bhatnagar, S.. (2017). Assessment of Antifungal Activity of Aqueous and Alcoholic Extracts of Onion ( Allium cepa L.) and Garlic ( Allium sativum L.) on Fusarium solani and Pythium ultimum. Vegetos- An International Journal of Plant Research. 30. 4.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319228566_Assessment_of_Antifungal_Activity_of_Aqueous_and_Alcoholic_Extracts_of_Onion_Allium_cepa_L_and_Garlic_Allium_sativum_L_on_Fusarium_solani_and_Pythium_ultimum - Cornago, Djanna & Amor, Evangeline & Rivera, Windell. (2011). Antifungal Activity of Onion (Allium cepa L.) Bulb Extracts Against Fusarium oxysporum and Colletotrichum sp.. The Philippine Agricultural Scientist. 94. 78-82.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259461498_Antifungal_Activity_of_Onion_Allium_cepa_L_Bulb_Extracts_Against_Fusarium_oxysporum_and_Colletotrichum_sp - Shams-Ghahfarokhi, Masoomeh et al. “In vitro antifungal activities of Allium cepa, Allium sativum and ketoconazole against some pathogenic yeasts and dermatophytes.â€Â Fitoterapia vol. 77,4 (2006): 321-3.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16690223/ - Sharquie, Khalifa E, and Hala K Al-Obaidi. “Onion juice (Allium cepa L.), a new topical treatment for alopecia areata.â€Â The Journal of dermatology vol. 29,6 (2002): 343-6.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12126069/ - Kulkarni, Madhur et al. “Fenugreek Leaf Extract and Its Gel Formulation Show Activity Against Malassezia furfur.â€Â Assay and drug development technologies vol. 18,1 (2020): 45-55.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31524496/ - Andri Prasetiyo et al. Ijppr.Human, 2017; Vol. 10 (4): 210-221.
http://ijppr.humanjournals.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/17.Andri-Prasetiyo-Anny-Victor-Purba.pdf - Vardy, D. A., et al. “A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of an Aloe vera (A. barbadensis) emulsion in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.â€Â Journal of dermatological treatment 10.1 (1999): 7-11.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09546639909055904 - M, Revansiddappa, et al. “Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Antidandruff Shampoo.â€Â Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry (2018), 7(4): 764-767.
http://www.phytojournal.com/archives/2018/vol7issue4/PartM/7-3-695-959.pdf - Babarykin, D. & Smirnova, Galina & Pundinsh, I. & Vasiljeva, S. & Krumina, Guntra & Agejchenko, V.. (2019). Red Beet ( Beta vulgaris ) Impact on Human Health. Journal of Biosciences and Medicines. 07. 61-79.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331567535_Red_Beet_Beta_vulgaris_Impact_on_Human_Health - S, Sandhya & Chandrasekhar, Janagaraj & Ravindran, Vinod & Banji, David. (2012). Potentiality of aqueous leaf extract of Trichosanthes cucumerina Linn. on hair growth promotion in Wistar albino rats. Indian Journal of Natural Products and resources. 3. 14-19.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225297590_Potentiality_of_aqueous_leaf_extract_of_Trichosanthes_cucumerina_Linn_on_hair_growth_promotion_in_Wistar_albino_rats - Pingili, Mamatha & Vanga, Sridhar & Raparla, Rama. (2016). Antifungal activity of plant extracts against dandruff causing organism Malassezia furfur. International Journal of Bioassays. 5. 5047.
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