How Can Onion Juice Help Reduce Dandruff?

Allium cepa or onion juice has been used as a traditional method for managing dandruff from the scalp for decades. It is mainly because of its antimicrobial and antifungal (1), (2), (3). Therefore, if you have this condition and are looking for an easy home remedy, use onion juice for dandruff. Scroll down to learn how onion juice may help manage dandruff and ways to use it.

How Onion Juice Helps Reduce Dandruff

Struggling with dandruff problems? Incorporating onion juice into your hair care routine is a natural and effective solution. However, exploring how to get rid of dandruff can tell you many other tips and home remedies to eradicate the problem effectively.

Onion juice is a traditional remedy for treating dandruff and hair loss problems like alopecia areata. Studies show that it can help eliminate Malassezia fungus that causes 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

Among the various benefits of onion juice, its ability to fight dandruff and strengthen hair makes it a popular natural remedy. Let’s know about various onion juice DIY remedies to combat dandruff issues.

1. Onion Juice

Knowing how to make onion juice at home can ensure you get the most out of its dandruff-fighting properties.

You Will Need

• 1 large onion
• A blender

What You Need To Do

1. Cut the onion into pieces and blend them.
2. Massage the juice into your scalp for hair follicle stimulation. Leave it on for 30 minutes.
3. 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

1. Soak the fenugreek seeds overnight in water.
2. Grind them into a fine paste and mix with onion juice in the morning.
3. Apply the paste on the scalp and wash off after half an hour.

How Often?

Do this 1-2 times a week for hair restoration and dandruff treatment.

3. Aloe Vera And Onion Juice

Aloe vera helps in soothing an itchy scalp and eliminating dandruff (8). Its topical application keeps your hair hydrated and forms a protective layer on it. Using aloe vera and onion juice for hair growth can also improve scalp health, which in turn helps in reducing dandruff. However, there are many ways to use onion juice for hair growth. Knowing about them can help you reap the benefits.

Izza Glino, a blogger, recalls how she combated severe dandruff using a dedicated shampoo and aloe vera gel. She writes, “The portion of my hair where there was dandruff before. See?! I am now 100% dandruff free. Hurray!!!… This worked for me overnight and cured my dandruff instantly (i).”

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
• 3 tablespoons of onion juice

What You Need To Do

1. Mix aloe vera gel with onion juice and apply the mixture to your scalp and lightly massage it in.
2. Leave it on for about 10 minutes and then rinse.

How Often?

You can do this 2-3 times a week to reduce excessive oiliness and get rid of a flaky scalp.

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

1. Mix green gram powder and onion juice until you obtain a smooth paste.
2. Apply the paste to the scalp and hair as a hair mask. Leave it on until it dries.
3. 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

1. Boil the beetroots in water and let them cool. Smash them and make a paste.
2. Mix the beetroot paste with onion juice.
3. 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

1. Mix snake gourd juice with onion juice and rub it all over your scalp.
2. 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

1. Mix onion juice with lemon juice and apply it to the scalp.
2. Leave it on until it dries (about 20 minutes) and then rinse.

How Often?

Do this once in two days.

Quick Tip

Citric acid is quite potent and may cause skin irritation. You should immediately stop if you notice any redness, itching, or inflammation.

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

1. Mix olive oil with onion juice. Apply this mixture to your scalp and hair.
2. Wrap a hot towel around your hair for half an hour.
3. Wash it off with a mild shampoo.

How Often?

Do this once a week to soothe scalp irritation and reduce dandruff.

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

1. Mix lime juice, coconut oil, and onion juice in a mixer.
2. Apply this mixture to the scalp and wash it away after 20 to 30 minutes using a mild cleansing shampoo.

How Often?

Do this 2 times a week to soothe dandruff-related fungal infections.

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 and reduces sebum buildup. 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

1. Mix apple cider vinegar and onion juice.
2. Massage it into the scalp for 5 to 7 minutes.

How Often?

Do this once a week.

Quick Tip

You must always dilute ACV with water before applying it topically. If irritation occurs, it usually goes away in a couple of days.

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

1. Mix the apple juice with the onion juice and apply this mixture on your scalp.
2. Leave this on for about 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse your hair thoroughly.

How Often?

Do this 2-3 times a week to reduce hair thinning and dandruff-related symptoms.

Follow these remedies for beautiful hair. However, onion juice may irritate sensitive scalp and cause adverse reactions. Read on for details on onion juice side effects in the next section.

Side Effects Of Using Onion On Your Hair

Using onion on your hair can have side effects. While onion juice’s sulfur content can nourish hair follicles and help with dandruff, it can be strong for sensitive scalps, leading to irritation, itching, and redness. You can easily prevent these issues by diluting onion juice with carrier oils like coconut or olive oil or by combining it with aloe vera gel. If not rinsed off properly, onion juice may also cause continuous irritation, so be sure to wash your hair thoroughly. Limit onion juice applications to no more than twice a week to avoid an itchy scalp.

Infographic: 7 Ways To Use Onion Juice For Dandruff

Onion juice has been used for hair treatments for a long time now. Its high nutrient and antioxidant content make it a go-to ingredient for maintaining scalp and hair health. Onion juice is especially beneficial for managing dandruff and its symptoms, like flaking and irritation. If you are looking for ways to use it, take a look at the infographic below.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked 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.

Why is onion juice not working on my hair?

Onion contains high levels of sulfur which may irritate and damage your scalp (17). You can combine onion juice with ingredients like aloe vera that can help reduce dandruff and moisturize and soothe your hair and scalp.

Can I mix onion juice with shampoo?

Yes, you can combine onion juice with your shampoo to help reduce dandruff. Mix equal quantities of onion juice and shampoo and apply the mixture to your hair. Massage it for 3 minutes and rinse the mixture thoroughly.

Illustration: How Can Onion Juice Help Reduce Dandruff?

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Embark on a journey towards a dandruff-free scalp with the power of onion juice. Click on this video to explore this natural remedy that can restore balance and bring back shine to your hair.

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Madison DufourBarber & Cosmetologist

     

Madison Dufour is a licensed and practicing barber and cosmetologist with 10 years of experience, as well as an entrepreneur running several hair businesses, including MadisonD Barbering and The Exquisite Find Hair Blog. After working behind the chair for several years, she felt the calling to start the non-profit Barber in a Bag that teaches basic hair cutting skills in street and slum communities in South America.

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Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

 

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

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Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

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Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends.

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