Rosemary oil has become increasingly popular as a natural way to help strengthen and grow hair. Made from the rosemary plant, this essential oil is easy to make at home and has a variety of uses and benefits for your hair care routine. In this blog post, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to make your own rosemary oil for hair growth and health.
Contents
Why Use Rosemary Oil for Hair?
Before we get into the DIY process, let’s look at why rosemary oil is so effective for hair care in the first place:
- Stimulates blood circulation in the scalp – Improved blood flow provides nutrients to hair follicles and promotes growth. The scalp massage used during the oil-making process also boosts circulation.
- Contains antioxidant properties – Rosemary contains antioxidants like rosmarinic acid that help protect hair from environmental damage and oxidative stress that can lead to brittle, dry hair.
- Has anti-inflammatory effects – The anti-inflammatory qualities of rosemary oil help soothe an itchy, irritated scalp which can impede hair growth.
- May prevent hair loss – Early research shows rosemary oil may help prevent androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness) by inhibiting an enzyme linked to hair loss. More studies are needed but the results are promising.
- Natural alternative to minoxidil – Some studies have found rosemary oil to be as effective as minoxidil (Rogaine) for treating hair loss, without the side effects.
So by making your own rosemary oil at home, you can take advantage of all these awesome benefits for your hair. Now let’s get into the easy DIY process.
How to Make Rosemary Infused Oil
Making rosemary infused oil just requires two ingredients – rosemary and a carrier oil. Here are the simple steps:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup loosely packed fresh rosemary leaves, chopped
- 1 cup carrier oil (jojoba, coconut, olive, almond, etc.)
Steps:
- Remove the leaves from several sprigs of fresh rosemary. Rinse the leaves and pat them dry. You want about 1 cup of loosely packed leaves.
- Chop the leaves finely to help release their beneficial oils.
- Pour 1 cup of your chosen carrier oil into a small saucepan. Good options are jojoba, coconut, olive, sweet almond, or argan oil.
- Add the chopped rosemary and stir to combine. The oil should fully cover the rosemary.
- Warm the mixture over low heat for 1-2 hours, keeping it just at a bare simmer. Don’t let it reach a full boil.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool for about an hour. Then strain out the rosemary leaves by pouring the oil through cheesecloth into an airtight glass jar.
- Store the rosemary oil in a cool, dark place and use within 6 months. Shake before each use as the oil may separate over time.
And that’s it – you’ve made homemade rosemary oil that’s ready to use on your hair!
Using Rosemary Oil for Hair Health and Growth
Rosemary infused oil has a variety of uses for boosting hair strength, growth, and overall health. Here are some of the top ways to use it:
- Hot oil treatment – Warm up a bit of the oil and massage it into your scalp. Leave it on for 30-60 minutes then shampoo out. Do this 1-2 times per week.
- Scalp massage – Apply a few drops of the oil directly to your scalp and use your fingertips to massage it in. Do this daily or a few times a week.
- Add to shampoo – Mix a few drops into your regular shampoo to boost its effects. Make sure to shake the oil before adding.
- Conditioner booster – Similarly, add 2-5 drops into your conditioner and shake/stir to incorporate it.
- Hair mask – For an intensive weekly treatment, rub oil through the lengths of your hair and let sit for 30-60 minutes before washing out.
- Scalp perfume – Dab a drop onto your wrists and neck and the scent will waft up to provide an aromatherapeutic effect.
No matter how you choose to use your homemade rosemary oil, be sure to do a patch test on your arm first to check for skin sensitivity. And as with any new hair product, start slowly and discontinue use if any irritation occurs.
Tips for Making the Most Potent Rosemary Oil
Follow these tips to end up with the highest quality, most effective rosemary oil for your hair:
- Use freshly dried rosemary – don’t use dried herbs that have been sitting around for awhile. The fresher the better.
- Chop or bruise the leaves – this helps release the essential oils.
- Simmer on very low heat – you don’t want the oil to reach a full boil which can destroy nutrients.
- Infuse for 1-2 hours – the longer the infusion process, the more potent the oil.
- Store in a dark bottle – light degrades rosemary oil over time, so a tinted or dark bottle is ideal for storage.
- Make small batches – only make what you’ll use within 6 months and experiment with different carrier oils.
Follow these tips and you’ll have amazing DIY rosemary oil ready to strengthen, grow, and improve the health of your hair. Always do a patch test before wider use and consult your doctor if you have any concerns. Enjoy your homemade rosemary infused oil!
Conclusion
Rosemary oil is an excellent natural solution for stimulating hair growth and overcoming issues like dryness, thinning, dandruff, and irritation. With its stellar combination of antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and other beneficial compounds, rosemary can be a game-changer for your hair care routine. Making your own oil infusion at home gives you control over the ingredient’s freshness and potency. Use this easy DIY hair oil on its own or incorporate it into your favorite shampoo, conditioner, and hair masks. Just be sure to do an initial skin patch test before wider use. Make small batches you can use up within 6 months for the best results. With its light herbal scent and stellar hair benefits, homemade rosemary oil should be a staple of your hair care regimen.