I recall a time when my son complained of an itchy head, and after a quick investigation, the dreaded head lice and nits (their eggs) were discovered. Being a novice in this regard, I purchased the first available product that I found and applied the insecticide without much thought. It appeared to work after a time, and I did not give it much more thought, until I read an article explaining the real dangers associated with toxic pesticides used in head lice treatments.

Feeling smarter, I was ready for the next battle with the pesky lice when they decided to take up residence in my daughters hair about a year later.

Oil treatments were to be the weapon of choice this time. I had done my research and short listed Olive and tea tree oils, petroleum jelly and mayonnaise. I was going to smother my daughter with sticky gooey stuff and comb the lice and nits out. Sounds easy... try telling her that! If you can get your daughter to spend a night with her head wrapped in a towel filled with oil or mayonnaise you are doing better than me.

If it worked it would be cheap and non toxic, but would this compensate for the greasy mess and my daughters night of discomfort?

Back to the internet for instructions.

Other than the oil, petroleum jelly or mayonnaise, I found that I would need plastic food wrap, a towel, a wide toothed comb, a shower cap and a bowl for mixing. Something in my head was saying "too hard", but I was not a quitter. Now, just how is it actually done?

I note that others have had problems getting their children to accept this type of oil treatment and see that it is recommended to tell the girl that its really a beauty treatment used by fashion models...sure!

First thing is to select your weapon. Users say that Olive oil may be the easiest to shampoo out afterwards, but it is more difficult to apply and keep in place. Advocates for petroleum jelly report that it stays in place, but is quite difficult to wash out afterwards. Mayonnaise appears to be a happy medium, but is the stickiest.

The method appears to involve placing a towel over the girls shoulders and applying copious quantities of the oil, jelly or mayonnaise to the childrens hair and scalp. If the hair is long, it should be piled high and wrapped in the plastic before covering the lot in a shower cap. Next the towel is wrapped tightly around the head to ensure that none of the oil escapes. The concoction should be left on overnight, being careful to cover the pillow with cloth to stop staining. Next morning, remove the towel and plastic and comb the lice and nits from the hair with the wide toothed comb. Then, shampoo the hair to get rid of the oil and any remaining lice or nits.

You may have guessed it, my daughter has bolted from the room long before I have had a chance to try my new method........and to think people still ask me where I got the motivation to invent the natural head lice treatment that I have been making now for nearly three years.