Sales Of Herbal Anti-Lice Products For Children’s Scalps Are Anything But Lousy

With so-called “super lice” becoming more resistant to traditional treatments, parents have turned to such new herbal products as Rosemary Repel shampoo and conditioner, which the maker claims prevents lice from nesting in children’s hair. Other new products include Zippity Doo's Styling Gel for Children (with lemongrass, Tea Tree oil and other plant-based ingredients); Fairy Tales Rosemary Repel, sold at salons; and Lice Shield shampoo and conditioner (containing extracts of citronella, eucalyptus, rosemary and lemongrass). Sales of prescription lice removal treatments rose to $73.8 million last year, a 15 percent increase from 2006, according to market research. Sales of over-the-counter lice prevention and removal treatments are up 11 percent over the past five years to $78.9 million.