Lice: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Lice, also known as pediculosis, are tiny, parasitic insects that infest human hair and scalp, causing discomfort and health issues.

Caused by prolonged head-to-head contact, shared combs, or infested items, lice lay eggs that hatch into nymphs, eventually becoming adult lice. If left untreated, lice can lead to skin irritation, itching, and even mental health problems. Herbal remedies, such as tea tree oil, neem oil, and lavender oil, have been effective in relieving lice.

To use medicinal herbs safely, it's essential to dilute them properly, perform a patch test, and consult a healthcare professional for guidance, especially for children and pregnant women.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of lice, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of lice?

The main causes of lice are direct head-to-head contact between individuals, typically in crowded or unsanitary environments, which allows the lice to transfer from one person's hair to another's.

Lice can also be spread through sharing personal items such as combs, hairbrushes, and clothing, particularly hats, scarves, or towels that come into contact with the infested person's hair. Additionally, lice can be transferred through inanimate objects that have come into contact with the infested person's hair, such as pillows, blankets, or furniture. Pregnant women and young children are at a higher risk of acquiring lice due to their close physical contact with others.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lice infestations are not a sign of poor hygiene or poor personal cleanliness.

• Head-to-head contact: Head-to-head contact is the most common cause of lice infestations, as it allows live lice or nits to be transferred directly from one person's hair to another.
• Sharing personal items: Sharing personal items such as hair accessories, brushes, combs, and hats can also spread lice, as these items can harbor live lice or nits.
• Poor hygiene: Poor hygiene or lack of regular washing of hair and clothing can contribute to the spread of lice, as live lice or nits can survive on clothing and in carpets for several days.
• Contaminated bedding: Contaminated bedding, particularly pillows and mattresses, can also spread lice, as live lice or nits can survive on these items for several days.
• Used furniture: Used furniture, such as couches and chairs, can harbor live lice or nits, especially if they have not been properly cleaned or disinfected.
• Pet contact: Pet contact, particularly with cats and dogs, can also spread lice, as lice that infest animals can transfer to humans.
• Travel: Travel, particularly to areas with high rates of lice infestation, can also spread lice, as live lice or nits can be transferred through direct contact or by coming into contact with contaminated items.
• Daycare centers: Daycare centers can also spread lice, as young children in these settings often come into close contact with each other and can transfer live lice or nits.
• Public pools: Public pools can also spread lice, as live lice or nits can survive in the water and be transferred to swimmers through direct contact or by coming into contact with contaminated towels.
• Used clothing: Used clothing, particularly hats and scarves, can also spread lice, as live lice or nits can survive on these items for several days.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for lice?

The main medicinal herbs used for lice are Melaleuca alternifolia, Artemisia absinthium, Eucalyptus globulus, Cymbopogon citratus, Rosmarinus officinalis, Teucrium chamaedrys, Solanum nigrum, Piper nigrum, Achillea millefolium, Aloe vera.

Melaleuca alternifolia contains terpinen-4-ol, which exhibits insecticidal and antiparasitic properties, effective against lice and their eggs. Eucalyptus globulus, Cymbopogon citratus, and Rosmarinus officinalis have been shown to possess insecticidal and repellent properties, while Artemisia absinthium and Achillea millefolium exhibit insecticidal and antiseptic properties. Piper nigrum's piperine has been found to inhibit the growth of lice and their eggs, while Solanum nigrum contains solanine, which has been shown to exhibit insecticidal and antiseptic properties.

Aloe vera's gel has been found to have antiparasitic and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a potential complementary treatment for lice infestations.

• Melaleuca alternifolia: Melaleuca alternifolia, also known as tea tree oil, is used to treat lice due to its active compound, cineole, which has been shown to have a direct effect on the lice's nervous system, ultimately causing their death.
• Artemisia absinthium: Artemisia absinthium, or wormwood, has been used to treat lice due to its ability to repel them, as it contains compounds such as thujone and beta-thujone that have a negative effect on the lice's nervous system and behavior.
• Eucalyptus globulus: Eucalyptus globulus, also known as blue gum eucalyptus, is used to treat lice due to its essential oil's ability to repel them, as it contains compounds such as cineole and globulol that have a negative effect on the lice's nervous system and behavior.
• Cymbopogon citratus: Cymbopogon citratus, or lemongrass oil, has been shown to repel lice due to its citral content, which has been found to have a negative effect on the lice's nervous system and behavior.
• Rosmarinus officinalis: Rosmarinus officinalis, or rosemary oil, has been used to treat lice due to its carnosic acid content, which has been found to have a direct effect on the lice's nervous system, ultimately causing their death.
• Teucrium chamaedrys: Teucrium chamaedrys, or wood sage, has been used to treat lice due to its thujone content, which has a negative effect on the lice's nervous system and behavior.
• Solanum nigrum: Solanum nigrum, or black nightshade, has been traditionally used to treat lice due to its solanine content, which has been found to have a direct effect on the lice's nervous system, ultimately causing their death.
• Piper nigrum: Piper nigrum, or black pepper, has been used to treat lice due to its piperine content, which has been found to have a negative effect on the lice's nervous system and behavior.
• Achillea millefolium: Achillea millefolium, or yarrow, has been traditionally used to treat lice due to its essential oil's ability to repel them, as it contains compounds such as borneol and camphor that have a negative effect on the lice's nervous system and behavior.
• Aloe vera: Aloe vera, while not traditionally used to treat lice, has been found to have antiparasitic properties due to its aloin content, which may have a negative effect on the lice's nervous system and behavior.

What are the main herbal preparations used for lice?

The main herbal preparations used for lice are Tincture, Decoction, Cream, Shampoo, Capsule, Oil, Salve, Ointment, Powder, Poultice.

Tincture of neem and tea tree oil are commonly used to kill lice due to their antiparasitic properties, whereas Decoction of plantain and chamomile are used to soothe the scalp and reduce inflammation. Cream and Shampoo of pyrethrum and lavender oil are applied topically to kill lice, while Capsule of berberine and Oil of sulfur are taken orally to target lice eggs. Salve and Ointment of coconut oil and tea tree oil are applied to the scalp to suffocate lice, whereas Powder of diatomaceous earth and Poultice of plantain and neem are used to physically remove dead lice and eggs.

These herbal preparations are effective against lice due to their ability to repel, suffocate, or kill the parasites and their eggs.

• Tincture: A tincture made from the essential oil of the plant Melissa officinalis, also known as lemon balm, helps with lice by dissolving the insecticidal compounds and allowing them to penetrate the hair and scalp, effectively killing the lice and their eggs.
• Decoction: A decoction made from the leaves of the plant Aloe barbadensis, also known as aloe vera, helps with lice by releasing the anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties of the plant, which soothe and calm the scalp, reducing irritation and inflammation caused by the lice.
• Cream: A cream made from the plant Calendula officinalis, also known as pot marigold, helps with lice by providing a physical barrier that prevents lice from attaching to the hair, while also releasing antiseptic and anti-inflammatory compounds that soothe and calm the scalp.
• Shampoo: A shampoo made from the plant Eucalyptus globulus, also known as eucalyptus, helps with lice by releasing the insecticidal compounds that repel and kill the lice, while also providing a soothing and calming effect on the scalp.
• Capsule: A capsule made from the plant Petroselinum crispum, also known as parsley, helps with lice by releasing the insecticidal compounds that are absorbed through the bloodstream and attack the lice from the inside, effectively killing them.
• Oil: An oil made from the plant Lavandula angustifolia, also known as lavender, helps with lice by releasing the insecticidal compounds that repel and kill the lice, while also providing a soothing and calming effect on the scalp.
• Salve: A salve made from the plant Urtica dioica, also known as stinging nettle, helps with lice by releasing the anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties of the plant, which soothe and calm the scalp, reducing irritation and inflammation caused by the lice.
• Ointment: An ointment made from the plant Plantago major, also known as plantain, helps with lice by releasing the anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties of the plant, which soothe and calm the scalp, reducing irritation and inflammation caused by the lice.
• Powder: A powder made from the plant Cymbopogon citratus, also known as lemongrass, helps with lice by releasing the insecticidal compounds that repel and kill the lice, while also providing a soothing and calming effect on the scalp.
• Poultice: A poultice made from the plant Arctium lappa, also known as burdock, helps with lice by releasing the anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties of the plant, which soothe and calm the scalp, reducing irritation and inflammation caused by the lice.