A recent study suggests that essential oils may effectively treat head lice.
Lice are small insects that feed on the blood of their hosts. When they attach to human heads, they can be visible near the edges of the scalp and produce eggs that hatch and thus multiply the number of lice. Lice may cause severe itching and are easily spread.
Researchers in Argentina evaluated the effectiveness of 25 Argentinean essential oils on permethrin-resistant head lice. Permethrin is a common chemical used in a cream or liquid form to kill head lice. The authors noted that there is an increasing need for alternative lice treatments as lice populations are becoming resistant to the traditional chemical treatments.
The researchers found that the most effective essential oils were that of Cinnamomum porphyrium, which belongs to theCinnamomum genus of evergreen shrubs and trees that produce the cinnamon spice, Aloysia citriodora, which is also known as lemon verbena and finally Myrcianthes pseudomato of the Myrtaceae family.
The authors concluded that the results of this study suggest that the essential oils of Cinnamomum porphyrium, Aloysia citriodora andMyrcianthes pseudomato should be incorporated into products to treat head lice; however, additional research is necessary before conclusions can be made. In addition to the species evaluated in this study, quassia, which is native to Jamaica and its neighboring islands, has also shown potential for the treatment of head lice. However, evidence is currently unclear as to whether it is effective.
ReferencesLice are small insects that feed on the blood of their hosts. When they attach to human heads, they can be visible near the edges of the scalp and produce eggs that hatch and thus multiply the number of lice. Lice may cause severe itching and are easily spread.
Researchers in Argentina evaluated the effectiveness of 25 Argentinean essential oils on permethrin-resistant head lice. Permethrin is a common chemical used in a cream or liquid form to kill head lice. The authors noted that there is an increasing need for alternative lice treatments as lice populations are becoming resistant to the traditional chemical treatments.
The researchers found that the most effective essential oils were that of Cinnamomum porphyrium, which belongs to theCinnamomum genus of evergreen shrubs and trees that produce the cinnamon spice, Aloysia citriodora, which is also known as lemon verbena and finally Myrcianthes pseudomato of the Myrtaceae family.
The authors concluded that the results of this study suggest that the essential oils of Cinnamomum porphyrium, Aloysia citriodora andMyrcianthes pseudomato should be incorporated into products to treat head lice; however, additional research is necessary before conclusions can be made. In addition to the species evaluated in this study, quassia, which is native to Jamaica and its neighboring islands, has also shown potential for the treatment of head lice. However, evidence is currently unclear as to whether it is effective.
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Toloza AC, Zygadlo J, Biurrun F, et al. Bioactivity of Argentinean essential oils against permethrin-resistant head lice, Pediculus humanus capitis. J Insect Sci. 2010;10:185. View Abstract
