Do home cures for lice really work?

There is insufficient evidence to substantiate the effectiveness of home remedies for lice, states Mayo Clinic. People who prefer not to use medication in treating lice can consider using home remedies.

Some products and methods used as home cures for lice include wet combing, smothering agents and essential oils, states Mayo Clinic. Combing wet hair using a nit comb can help remove the lice. Essential oils, such as tea tree oil, ylang ylang oil and anise oil, can be used, but they do not meet FDA standards for effective treatment. Household products, such as butter, olive oil and mayonnaise, are used as smothering agents. They are thought to work by depriving the lice and their eggs of air.