Head lice... Are you scratching yet?

September is back to school time and sadly the time of year when our children are exposed more often to viruses and parasites like head lice. I thought I would discuss this topic from a holistic point of view.

As a Natural Health Practitioner, I am a fan of preventative medicine. So how does one prevent head lice?

• Be sure your child is healthy! Make sure your child is eating a healthy and clean diet that consist of whole foods and limit processed foods to no ore than 3-4 servings a week. Be sure to compliment quality nutrition with a good multivitamin & probiotic supplement and make sure they are physically active. Having a healthy body and a good foundation for a healthy immune system is key. Parasites including head lice do not thrive as well on healthy host as they do on unhealthy ones, by keeping your child healthy you will reduce your child's likelihood of having an outbreak or make it easier for you to manage and eliminate an outbreak
• If there is an outbreak in your littles ones playgroup, home-school group or class; add 1 drop of tea tree, lavender and cedarwood essential oil to 2 tsp of shampoo. Wash their hair 1-2 times a week with this mixture until the outbreak is passed.
• Educate your child how viruses and parasites are spread and what items should not be shared and why.

 If your child is having an outbreak here are some suggestions:

• Avoid the typical head lice shampoos they are extremely toxic and not that effective
• Wash your child's hair with the same shampoo mixture above, use a metal nit comb (not plastic) to comb hair, wiping it frequently. Wash your child's hair with the hottest water tolerated, followed by the coldest water possible this increases healthy blood flow to the scalp. Mix 4 oz. of olive/coconut oil with 4 drops tea tree & 4 drops of lavender essential oil. Apply to the scalp and hair, cover with bag or shower cap. Leave it in overnight. Use nit comb to comb hair again. Wash out and use nit comb a third time. Blow dry hair with warmest setting possible for 5min. Use this treatment every night for 1 week.  
• Soak all brushes, combs and nit comb in vinegar and tea tree essential oil. 
• Launder all bedding with 1 cup of vinegar and 10 drops of tea tree oil; hand out to dry in the sun if possible
• Boost your child's immunes system with extra vitamin C & D3.

If your child tends to have recurring bouts of head lice, it's time to sit down with a qualified Health Practitioner and see how you can improve their health with nutrition and other healthy lifestyle practices and if need be investigate further to see if there is an underlying health issue that needs to be addressed.



Dana Clark, CNHP, CHN, CHC owner of From the Roots Holistic, Certified Holistic Nutritionist at SBJJ & Muay Thai Academy. ​

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