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Good-to-Know Benefits of Rosemary Essential Oil for Hair + 3 Ways to Use It

By Jacqueline Samaroo

Rosemary essential oil is no stranger to the natural hair care scene. This very beneficial oil has been used for centuries for its medicinal and flavorful properties. Keep reading to find out more about rosemary, the benefits of rosemary essential oil for hair growth, and some tips on how to use rosemary oil for hair growth as a part of your natural haircare regimen. Enjoy!

What is rosemary?

Scientifically known as Salvia rosmarinus and Rosmarinus officinalis, rosemary is a member of the sage or mint family of flowering plants. It is related to several other well-known medicinal and culinary herbs, including basil,  marjoram, oregano, thyme, lavender, and catnip.

Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean region with ancient writings about the uses of the plant dating back to 5,000 BCE. It was being used by the ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks long before it made its way to China and then on to Europe. It was introduced to the Americas with the arrival of early European settlers.

Rosemary has needle-like leaves and bears flowers in white, pink, purple, or blue. Along with the beautiful shrub being grown as a decorative garden plant, frequent use is made of fresh and dried rosemary leaves as a flavoring for food. Rosemary’s flavor pairs very well with meats and various barbecue dishes. The leaves may also be steeped to make herbal tea.

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Five benefits of rosemary essential oil for hair

Rosemary essential oil is extracted from the leaves of the plant. It has been widely studied and shown to have several medicinal benefits. Here are a few of the ways in which rosemary oil benefits hair.

1. Has anti-inflammatory properties – Rosemary essential oil has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it beneficial as a scalp care ingredient to keep the skin of the scalp healthy.
2. Improves blood circulation – Optimal blood circulation within the scalp promotes hair growth. This is because it is the blood that brings the oxygen and nutrients that the scalp skin cells and hair cells need to flourish. Rosemary oil improves blood circulation, making it a useful aid in healthy hair growth.
3. Treats hair loss – Massaging rosemary essential oil into the scalp promotes hair growth and slows hair loss. This is attributed to the ability of one of the components of rosemary oil to block the negative effects of testosterone on the hair follicle.
4. Heals and protects nerve tissues – This, in turn, may benefit the damaged nerves in the hair follicle, leading to improved hair growth and the growth of stronger, healthier hair.
5. Lowers stress levels – Stress leads to the increased production of the “stress hormone” cortisol. Cortisol has been shown to have a negative effect on hair growth. Rosemary oil used in aromatherapy has the ability to lower cortisol levels and thus minimize the damage it causes to hair.

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Be sure to check out the Raindrops on Rosemary essential oils blends in our recent article The Best Essential Oil Blends for Springtime – 3 Easy DIY Recipes.

For more and scalp health and how stress affects your hair, read these two recent posts:

• 10 Important Scalp Care Tips for Healthy Scalp and Hair
• Stress and Hair Loss: Here’s The Connection and 5 Ways to Break It

How to use rosemary oil for hair growth

It’s quite easy to find natural haircare products that contain rosemary oil as one of their ingredients. You may, however, opt to buy and use your own rosemary essential oil. Here are three ways to do it.

1. Use it as a massage oil. Add a few drops of rosemary essential oil to a carrier oil, such as jojoba, almond, or coconut oil. Massage the mixture into your scalp. There is no need to rinse it out of your hair but if you intend to, try to leave the oil mixture in for at least 10 minutes. Leaving it for a few hours or overnight before rinsing works, too).
2. Add it to your other natural haircare products. For less direct benefits, you can also add a few drops of rosemary oil to your shampoo, conditioner, creams you use on your hair, etc.
3. Use it in your diffuser. Keep stress at bay with some rosemary oil in your diffuser at home. You can also add a few drops to a napkin, hold it close to your face, and breathe in the aroma of the oil.

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Do you use rosemary essential oil or products that contain it as a part of your natural haircare routine? Tell us about it!