Rosemary water for hair growth is now all the rage and is going viral on social media! But does it actually work? Is it really this magical remedy for hair loss, for shiny, smooth hair, for faster hair growth and for reducing the appearance of grey hair? Show
In this article, not only will I answer all these questions, but also give you a very simple and easy recipe to make your own rosemary water at home! Plus, those many ways how you can use it! Contents
Rosemary has been used in traditional medicine for centuries as a natural remedy for many different diseases, treating ailments and pain. Besides its uses for respiratory problems, gastrointestinal stress, relieving stress and anxiety as well as an anti-inflammatory and pain relief, rosemary also has a great effect on our hair and scalp. Rosemary is known to improve blood circulation which helps stimulate the hair follicle and supply more blood to the roots preventing the hair from dying thus, from falling out. By stimulating blood circulation, rosemary also helps prevent premature greying, promote hair growth and make your hair look shiny, smooth and healthy. As an anti-inflammatory, rosemary may also help reduce the appearance of dandruff and relieve a dry, itchy scalp. Rosemary oil or rosemary water – what’s better?To cut things short: both rosemary oil and water have shown increased hair growth/reduced hair loss in studies[1][2]. So, if this is your main goal, I think, it doesn’t really matter which one you use. Rosemary essential oil is just higher concentrated than rosemary water (aka rosemary leaf extract) which may make the oil a bit more powerful, more effective. However, in this study (that was done on mice, though), rosemary leaf extract has shown significant results for stimulated hair growth. To be honest, I couldn’t find a decent report on how well rosemary water works concerning dandruff and dry, itchy scalps. But I reckon, it would do just as well as rosemary oil! So, mainly, the difference between rosemary oil and water is how you’re gonna use it and, well, the price. Rosemary essential oil isn’t very expensive, of course, and you’ll only need a drop or two for each treatment. But making your own rosemary water is not only easy but also cheaper—especially if you’ve got a rosemary bush growing in your garden! Also, using oil on your hair might not be the right thing for you because rosemary essential oil may irritate the skin. Whereas rosemary water is a bit milder (though, it might irritate the skin too if you react to it, mind). In conclusion, I’d say rosemary oil isn’t better than rosemary water (mind, this is my personal opinion, I’m not a scientist or herbalist to prove this). Especially, when it comes to hair growth. It just depends on your liking, really. IngredientsAffiliate Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission, if you purchase the linked product, at no extra cost for you. Now, with all that being said, let’s dive into the making of your rosemary water for hair!
That’s it. That’s all you need. Simple, isn’t it? Later on, I’ll also give you some extras you can add depending on how you want to use this rosemary water. If I were you, and you don’t have your own rosemary bush in your backyard, I’d make sure to use organic rosemary! You really don’t want any chemicals in your rosemary water! If your water isn’t very pure, you might want to use filtered/distilled water or purify the tap water first. It just, again, reduces chemicals in your homemade rosemary water. InstructionsThere are two ways to make this rosemary water for hair. Here, again, I couldn’t find a report that would suggest which of the methods is the better one so I’d say, go with your guts. Go with what you think makes more sense to you. Method 1 – brewing rosemary tea: using this method, you’re simmering the rosemary twigs in water for an extended time in order to extract the components. Method 2 – making a rosemary infusion: using this method you steep the rosemary twigs for hours to gently extract the components. Method 1 – rosemary tea
Method 2 – rosemary infusion
I prefer this method because it’s a gentler method. I learned once that herbalists actually say that using high temperatures may destroy some of the herb's components. It’s, therefore, better to use lower temperatures (80°C/175°F and below). I leave this up to you which method you prefer though. Simmering the herbs (method 1) may also mean more components get extracted but I don’t know if that’s really the case because, as I said, I’m not a scientist or herbalist. How to use rosemary water for your hair
Rosemary water hair mask
Rosemary hair rinse / conditioner
Leave-in treatment or conditioner
In combination with an aloe vera hair maskThis is probably my favourite way to use this rosemary water for my hair. I’ve been using my aloe vera hair mask for several months now and I just love the (almost) immediate effects of aloe vera (less hair loss!).
How to get the best results from your rosemary water for hair?Consequence. Is. Key! You need to use rosemary water regularly in order to see some results. You don’t need to use it every day. 1-3 times per week should do the trick too. As with all-natural remedies, give it time! Especially, for faster hair growth and hair loss. You may not see any results after months of using it. According to a study, they started to see some significant changes around the 6-month-mark. However, you may notice that your hair’s smoother and shinier after the first treatments already. Variations
Apple Cider Vinegar: you can add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to this rosemary water once it’s made and use it as a conditioner. Apple Cider Vinegar detangles your hair, balances the pH level of your hair and scalp, moisturises and reduces frizz. Lavender: my favourite add-on (as you can see in the pictures). I add about 2 tablespoons of dried organic lavender buds at the same time I add the rosemary to the hot water. Lavender also helps with hair growth, is anti-inflammatory and soothes the skin. Other herbs: you can also add other herbs for improving hair growth like peppermint, ginkgo and stinging nettle (again: organic. You can use fresh peppermint and nettle here as well). Chamomile: Chamomile is a great herb to add, too, because of its soothing properties. It also prevents dry and brittle ends and if you’ve got blond or light brown hair, it brightens your colour and adds that golden glow! StorageKeep the rosemary water in the fridge for up to 7 days (or until it smells off). You can also freeze it in batches and thaw it whenever you need it. I usually make a big batch (double the recipe) and store the rosemary water in various small jars that I can keep in the pantry because of the way I seal them (it's very easy!). So, this is how you do this: if you use method 1 (making rosemary tea) after you’ve strained it, pour the hot! rosemary tea into several small jars and tighten the lid to seal. When it cools down, the lid will get sucked on, sealing the jar airtight! If you use method 2, after straining, you could either heat up the rosemary infusion again (making sure not to boil it. Once the steam is coming up, it’ll be hot enough). Or simply, let the rosemary steep in the jars. So, instead of using one big jar, you just use several small jars with one twig, cut in half, in each. You can leave the rosemary in the jars until you need the water. Warnings & SafetyGenerally, rosemary (the leaves, not the essential oil) is safe to use. Although rosemary may help an itchy, dry scalp, it might irritate your skin if you react to it (as in an allergic reaction). If this occurs, stop using this rosemary water. 📖 Recipe
Rosemary Water for Hair Prep Time 2 mins Steep time 5 hrs Total Time 6 hrs 2 mins Makes 500 ml / 16 oz.
Method 1 – rosemary tea
Method 2 – rosemary infusion
Storage
Resources
Is rosemary and mint water good for hair?Hailed as the new rice water, rosemary water is gentle, effective and incredibly good for your hair. It mitigates hair loss and stimulates growth with every use. Not only can you make this product at home using rosemary essential oil or rosemary leaves, but it's also safe for all hair types too.
Does rosemary and mint make your hair grow?Like peppermint essential oil (also used to promote hair growth), rosemary essential oil strengthens circulation. As a result, it could prevent hair follicles from being starved of blood supply, dying off, and leading to hair loss.
How do you make rosemary water spray for hair?Add 10 drops of rosemary essential oil to a 1/2 teaspoon and fill the rest of the teaspoon with Solubol or a carrier oil. Pour your oils into your bottle and fill the rest of the bottle to the top with water. Give your bottle a shake and spray directly into roots and then rub it in with your fingers a bit.
Can you spray rosemary water on your hair everyday?Can I spray rosemary water in my hair daily? If you use rosemary water as a spray, it should be safe to spritz your hair daily. You may start seeing results within a few months of consistent use. If you notice any signs of damage or irritation, try reducing the frequency of your treatments.
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