Head lice are tiny little insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. Lice infections affect children the most often, but it’s not impossible for adults to get them too. They are passed from the hair of one person to the hair of another.
Lice have three life stages: nit (egg), nymph (baby lice) and adult. Adults can live as long as 30 days if they have access to human blood.
Over-the-counter and prescription medications are available to get rid of lice or nits, but many of these treatments come with harsh irritation causing chemicals.
Join us as we explore holistic alternatives and the benefits of organic coconut oil for lice removal.
Why choose coconut oil for lice removal
Coconut oil for lice – skip the chemicals
Main stream lice treatment kits can be full of harsh chemicals and synthetic ingredients to get the job done. These products will often contain artificial fragrance too.
The EWG states that “When you see ‘fragrance’ on a personal care product’s label, read it as “hidden chemicals. A major loophole in FDA’s federal law lets manufacturers include nearly any ingredient in their products under the name “fragrance” without actually listing the chemical.”
Chemical ingredients that hide behind the umbrella term “fragrance” have been linked to hormone disruption, reproductive issues, allergy triggers, and more. Considering coconut oil for lice allows us to choose the power of nature and avoid exposure to any of these questionable ingredients.
Coconut oil’s unique holistic properties
Coconut oil’s unique molecular structure consisting of medium-chain-triglycerides, lauric acid and fatty acids are the foundation of its holistic healing properties. These properties go further that just getting rid of lice living in your hair, they can also treat a multitude of whole body conditions too. Coconut oil offers antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal, and even anti-inflammatory qualities.
How coconut oil for lice works
Choosing coconut oil for lice allows you to naturally get rid of the hair and scalp parasites by first cutting off their air and food supply. This makes it impossible for the lice to live in the environment of the hair.
Next, coating the hair with coconut oil also makes each strand too slick for the lice to attach their nits (eggs) onto. This prevents them from reproducing – another important step in the process.
After the lice or nits have been evacuated and their reproductive chain cut, the coconut oil will get to work soothing the scalp keeping the skin and hair’s eco-system healthy with its anti-microbial properties.
The experts are choosing coconut oil for lice
New York Lice Specialist, Barbara Gips helps us understand why and how she uses organic coconut oil for lice within her lice removal service.
Lice Connection is an in-home head lice and nit removal company in New York. Founder & Lice Removal Specialist Barbara Gips uses only natural, non-toxic products and the highest quality tools along with her proven technique to remove head lice and nits in a single visit.
After the important process of ‘nit picking’, Lice Connection uses an organic coconut oil to rub into and comb through the hair with a nit comb. This ensures that all the remaining lice and nits are removed. The hair is combed in three different directions and the lice then slide out of the hair onto the comb. Clients are then asked to leave the organic coconut oil lice treatment in their hair for at least 8 hours. The organic coconut oil is then left on the hair to suffocate and starve any bugs that might have been missed.
Barbara loves Organic Fiji’s Lavender Coconut Oil over other coconut oil brands because of the assured quality that comes with a USDA Certified Organic stamp and also because this product is infused with organic lavender essential oil – a natural lice repellant. (A study published in BMC Dermatology shows positive results when looking into the effectiveness of lavender essential oil to remove lice from children).
This organic lavender coconut oil is used by Barbara to cut off the lice’s air and food supply, prevent nits (eggs) attaching to the stands of hair and to prevent further lice development. Lice Connection has been using this method successfully for over 7 years. They strongly believe in organic coconut oil for lice and as a valuable part of their natural lice treatments, rewarded with positive results client after client.
Barbara also believes in the goodness of organic coconut oil for more than just natural lice removal. She also likes to use it as a natural bug repellent, a mosquito bite soothing ointment, a lasting psoriasis treatment and a gentle sunburn healer.
What type of coconut oil for lice
When considering coconut oil for lice, it is important to explain that not all coconut oil is created equal. The grade of coconut oil you choose directly dictates how well that oil will absorb into the hair and scalp, and how many natural benefits are left in the oil. Here are the coconut oil standards you should look for so as a consumer you can make a more informed and empowered choice:
- Organic certification regulated by third party non-profit
- Raw, unrefined and exactly as nature intended
- Cold-pressed, extra-virgin and unbleached
- Made from fresh coconuts
- Sustainably sourced and ethically created
Plant-powered tip: A study reported in the International Journal of Dermatology compared botanical and synthetic substances for preventing lice in children. Tea tree oil was the most effective treatment tested (even above deet) and a combination of Tea tree oil and mint appeared to be most useful for repelling lice. Using an organic coconut oil that is infused with tea tree and mint would double the natural lice-fighting potential!
- Organic raw coconut oil crafted by Organic Fiji
- Can be used as an organic hair treatment for lice
- USDA Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth
- No toxic chemicals, harsh ingredients or synthetics
- Aromas derived from pure essential oils
- Made in USA
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$6.75 – $22.00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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Additional coconut oil benefits for hair
As well as utilizing organic coconut oil for lice removal, the prevention of lice reproduction and the repelling of lice, you can also enjoy scalp relieving qualities too. Repetitive scratching can cause scalp dryness and irritation. This can be soothed gently with organic coconut oil’s natural anti-inflammatory benefits. As an extra bonus organic coconut oil will hydrate damaged hair, wake up dormant follicles to promote regrowth, target dandruff with anti-fungal qualities and detangle those knotted locks when being applied to the hair. Let your healthy, lice-free head of hair shine, naturally.
Organic Fiji
Choosing organic coconut oil for lice treatments, and wellness routines in general, is more than a product choice, it’s an ancient ritual steeped in deep, island history.
Organic Fiji is a female and Pacific Islander owned boutique brand that creates organic body care products, based in California.
Organic Fiji’s artisan products have been USDA Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth since 2007 and are vegan, cruelty-free, eco-friendly and ethically created. You can also be assured that Organic Fiji products are free of GMOs, PEGs, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, artificial colors, synthetic fragrances, harsh ingredients or toxic chemicals.
A brand that believes in product transparency over ‘green-washing’ and are real people on the other end of the phone and email.