13 Best Herbal Essential Oils For Lice

Herbal essential oils for lice are plant-derived extracts used to repel, kill, or prevent the infestation of lice and their eggs.
These oils have gained popularity as a natural and chemical-free alternative to traditional treatments, offering numerous benefits such as reduced risk of chemical poisoning, no harsh side effects, and a non-toxic solution for families and children.
Certain essential oils like tea tree oil, lavender oil, and peppermint oil are effective in treating lice due to their potent antiparasitic and antimicrobial properties, while others like eucalyptus oil and rosemary oil help in repelling lice and their eggs.
Additionally, oils like geranium oil, lemongrass oil, and cedarwood oil also show promise in treating lice due to their ability to suffocate the lice and disrupt their life cycle.
According to "Fitoterapia", essential oils for lice, the most effective essential oil against lice was found to be tea tree oil, followed by lavender oil, and lemon oil showed the least activity.
Below there's a list of the 13 best herbal essential oils for lice.
- 1. Eucalyptus globulus essential oils
- 2. Melaleuca alternifolia essential oils
- 3. Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils
- 4. Cymbopogon citratus essential oils
- 5. Lavandula angustifolia essential oils
- 6. Cymbopogon nardus essential oils
- 7. Artemisia absinthium essential oils
- 8. Salvia officinalis essential oils
- 9. Thymus vulgaris essential oils
- 10. Zingiber officinale essential oils
- 11. Mentha x piperita essential oils
- 12. Cymbopogon martini essential oils
- 13. Santalum album essential oils
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1. Eucalyptus globulus essential oils

Eucalyptus globulus essential oils have been traditionally used to treat lice infestations due to its anti-parasitic and insecticidal properties, which help to repel and kill the lice and their eggs.
The bioactive constituents of Eucalyptus globulus essential oils, including cineole, limonene, and pinene, possess potent anti-lice activity, making it an effective herbal preparation to treat this ailment.
This herbal preparation helps to treat lice infestations by disrupting the lice life cycle, preventing re-infestation, and alleviating the discomfort and itching caused by the infestation.
The benefits of using Eucalyptus globulus essential oils to treat lice include its natural, non-toxic, and non-invasive nature, making it a safer alternative to chemical-based treatments.
2. Melaleuca alternifolia essential oils

Melaleuca alternifolia essential oils, derived from the leaves of the tea tree, possess potent antimicrobial and insecticidal properties, making them an effective herbal preparation to treat lice infestations.
The terpenes present in this essential oil, such as cineole and limonene, are responsible for its ability to repel and kill lice, as well as their eggs.
The benefits of using Melaleuca alternifolia essential oils to treat lice include reduced itching, discomfort, and the risk of scalp irritation, allowing for a more comfortable and manageable treatment experience.
By incorporating this herbal preparation into a treatment plan, individuals can effectively eliminate lice infestations and prevent future re-infestations.
Related Study
According to "Fitoterapia", Melaleuca alternifolia essential oils, also known as tea tree oil, were the most effective against lice.
3. Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils

Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils, derived from the leaves of the rosemary plant, possess potent properties that help to effectively treat lice infestations.
The antiparasitic and insecticidal properties of rosemary essential oils, particularly its bioactive constituents including camphor, borneol, and bornyl acetate, help to repel and kill lice, thereby providing relief from the discomfort and distress caused by these parasites.
By applying rosemary essential oils topically to the scalp, individuals can benefit from its ability to reduce lice infestations and prevent their re-infestation.
The benefits of using rosemary essential oils for lice treatment include its natural, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly nature, making it a safer alternative to conventional chemical-based treatments.
Related Study
According to "Tip tarihi arastirmalari = History of medicine studies", Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils for lice were used as a hair shampoo in the past to treat infestations.
4. Cymbopogon citratus essential oils

Cymbopogon citratus essential oils, also known as lemongrass oil, have been studied for their potential in treating lice infestations.
The properties of this herbal preparation that help to treat this ailment include its antiparasitic, antimicrobial, and insecticidal properties, which enable it to kill lice and their eggs.
The bioactive constituents of Cymbopogon citratus essential oils, such as citral and geraniol, play a crucial role in treating lice infestations by disrupting the lice's life cycle and killing them.
The benefits of using Cymbopogon citratus essential oils to treat lice infestations include its non-toxic and environmentally friendly nature, making it a safer alternative to traditional chemical-based treatments.
5. Lavandula angustifolia essential oils

Lavandula angustifolia essential oils have been studied for their potential to treat lice infestations due to their antiparasitic and antiseptic properties.
The bioactive constituents of this herbal preparation, including linalool and linalyl acetate, help to repel lice and soothe the scalp, reducing itching and inflammation.
These properties aid in the treatment of lice by disrupting the lice's life cycle and preventing re-infestation, ultimately providing relief to individuals suffering from this ailment.
The benefits of using Lavandula angustifolia essential oils to treat lice include a natural and non-toxic approach to addressing the issue, reducing the risk of chemical resistance and promoting overall scalp health.
Related Study
According to "Fitoterapia", Lavandula angustifolia essential oils were the second most effective essential oils against lice, after tea tree oil.
6. Cymbopogon nardus essential oils

Cymbopogon nardus essential oils, also known as East Indian lemongrass oil, have been traditionally used to treat lice infestations due to their insecticidal and antiparasitic properties.
The bioactive constituents, including citral, citronellal, and geraniol, in this essential oil help to repel and kill lice, thereby treating the ailment.
The properties of Cymbopogon nardus essential oils, such as its ability to disrupt the lice's life cycle and prevent re-infestation, make it an effective natural remedy for treating lice infestations.
The benefits of using this herbal preparation include its non-toxic and environmentally friendly nature, making it a safer alternative to chemical-based treatments.
7. Artemisia absinthium essential oils

Artemisia absinthium essential oils have been traditionally used to treat lice infestations due to their antiparasitic and insecticidal properties.
The herbal preparation's ability to repel and kill lice is attributed to its bioactive constituents, including thujone, borneol, and camphor, which disrupt the nervous system of the parasites and ultimately lead to their death.
By using Artemisia absinthium essential oils, individuals can benefit from a natural and chemical-free treatment for lice, which also helps to prevent the development of resistance and reduces the risk of scalp irritation.
The benefits of using this herbal preparation include a safe and effective treatment option, ease of application, and the potential to prevent future infestations.
8. Salvia officinalis essential oils

Salvia officinalis essential oils have been traditionally used to treat lice infestations due to their antimicrobial and insecticidal properties, which help to repel and eliminate the lice and their eggs.
The properties of this herbal preparation, including its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects, aid in soothing the skin irritation caused by lice bites and bites associated with lice infestations.
The bioactive constituents of Salvia officinalis essential oils, such as camphor, borneol, and salvinic acids, contribute to their ability to repel and kill lice, thereby helping to treat this ailment.
The benefits of using Salvia officinalis essential oils to treat lice infestations include their non-toxic and non-invasive nature, making them a safer alternative to chemical-based treatments.
9. Thymus vulgaris essential oils

Thymus vulgaris essential oils, derived from the leaves of the thyme plant, have been traditionally used to treat lice infestations due to their insecticidal and antiparasitic properties.
The bioactive constituents of thyme essential oils, including thymol and carvacrol, help to repel and kill lice by disrupting their nervous system and preventing them from reproducing.
When applied to the hair and scalp, thymus vulgaris essential oils can help to eliminate lice and their eggs, providing relief from the discomfort and itching associated with lice infestations.
The benefits of using thymus vulgaris essential oils to treat lice include their natural and non-toxic composition, ease of application, and effectiveness in eliminating lice and their eggs without causing harm to the scalp or hair.
Related Study
According to the study, Thymus vulgaris essential oils showed antiparasitic effects, suggesting potential use in controlling parasites, including lice.
10. Zingiber officinale essential oils

Zingiber officinale essential oils, also known as ginger essential oil, have been traditionally used to treat lice infestations due to its antiparasitic and anti-inflammatory properties.
The bioactive constituents of ginger essential oil, including gingerol and shogaol, help to repel lice and soothe the scalp, reducing itching and irritation.
This herbal preparation works by dehydrating the lice, ultimately leading to their death, and also helps to prevent re-infestation by killing the eggs and larvae.
The benefits of using ginger essential oil to treat lice include its natural, non-toxic, and non-invasive approach, making it a popular alternative to chemical-based treatments.
11. Mentha x piperita essential oils

Mentha x piperita essential oils, also known as peppermint oil, possess antiparasitic and anti-inflammatory properties that help to treat the lice ailment effectively.
The herbal preparation's ability to repel and kill lice, as well as soothe the skin, makes it an ideal treatment for this condition.
The bioactive constituents present in peppermint oil, including menthol and menthone, contribute to its lice-repelling properties and help to alleviate itching and discomfort caused by lice infestation.
The benefits of using peppermint oil to treat lice include its non-toxic and non-invasive nature, making it a safer alternative to chemical-based treatments.
12. Cymbopogon martini essential oils

Cymbopogon martini essential oils, also known as lemongrass oil, have been traditionally used to treat lice infestations due to its natural insecticidal and antiparasitic properties.
The bioactive constituents of lemongrass oil, including citral and geranial, help to repel and kill lice and their eggs by disrupting their nervous system and causing dehydration.
The benefits of using lemongrass oil for lice treatment include its non-toxic and environmentally friendly nature, making it a safer alternative to synthetic chemicals.
Regular use of lemongrass oil can help to eliminate lice infestations and prevent re-infestation by killing the lice and their eggs, thereby providing long-lasting relief from this annoying and itchy condition.
13. Santalum album essential oils

Santalum album essential oils, derived from the sandalwood tree, have been traditionally used to treat lice infestations due to their antiparasitic and insecticidal properties.
The sesquiterpenes present in sandalwood essential oils, such as santalol and santalene, exhibit a synergistic effect that helps to repel and kill lice, ultimately treating the ailment effectively.
This herbal preparation also possesses anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that soothe the skin, preventing secondary infections and irritation caused by lice bites.
The benefits of using Santalum album essential oils to treat lice infestations include its natural, non-toxic, and non-irritating nature, making it a safer alternative to chemical-based treatments.