ELIMINATE LICE

If you have schoolchildren you’re probably familiar with lice—they can infest the scalps of multiple children in a matter of a few days. Because the itchy symptoms can take weeks or even months to develop, it can be difficult to pinpoint when, where, and how the initial contraction of lice occurred. Regardless of the source, the most important thing is to resolve the issue as quickly as possible by following this treatment sequence:

1. Kill the lice.
2. Rid the head of the eggs.
3. Thoroughly wash the clothes, bedding, and sleeping area of the infested person(s) to reduce the chance of a future infestation and to protect everyone in the household.

Instead of using over-the-counter lice treatments that include powerful chemicals, opt for a natural method to kill lice instead.

1. Rinse the scalp with apple cider vinegar, allowing vinegar to dry on the hair.
2. Comb out eggs and nits as much as possible.
3. Combine 1 cup of coconut oil and 2 tablespoons each of anise essential oil and ylang-ylang essential oil
4. Coat the hair completely, cover with plastic wrap, and allow the solution to set for 12 to 18 hours to suffocate the nits.
5. Rinse hair and wash thoroughly with shampoo.
6. Comb the hair thoroughly using a lice comb in order to remove the nits and eggs as effectively as possible. If necessary, repeat the process again until no lice remain.

Anise and ylang-ylang essential oils contain antibacterial, antifungal, and insecticidal properties. In a study published in October 2002 in the Israel Medical Association Journal, 119 schoolchildren infected with head lice were treated with a combination of coconut oil and these two essential oils—with a 92 percent success rate.