Hair loss is not something that you would like to deal with but it seems inevitable especially as you age. The worst part is that it can even mess up your self-esteem.
Granted, time is never on your side but as fate would have it, Mother Nature comes with all the solutions you may need to make yourself feel and look great.
Therefore, if you are suffering from thinning hair or alopecia, you may want to use Rosemary Oil to remedy the condition.
Without further delay, let us get into how you can make and use this oil to repair damaged hair.
Table of Contents
Method
First, we want you to know that you can simply purchase ready-made rosemary oil and use it on your hair and scalp.
This will come in handy if you are not too much into DIYs. Just ensure that you dilute the oil with a carrier oil such as coconut oil to reduce its potency.
That said; we are still going to explain how you can make your rosemary oil at home and how to use it to combat hair loss.
Requirements
- 2 cups dried rosemary leaves
- A jar
- 1 cup distilled water
- A strainer
- A dropper
- 2 tablespoons of carrier oil (almond, olive, or coconut oil)
- Shower cap/ towel
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
How to Make
This is the systematic process of making rosemary oil.
Step 1
The first thing you want to do is take your rosemary leaves, put them in a pot, and add your water. Note that this water has to be pre-boiled and distilled for the best results.
Stir the mixture and allow it to sit for about 5 hours. If you want your rosemary oil to be highly concentrated, you can let your mixture sit for longer.
Step 2
After allowing your rosemary leaves to marinate in the water, pour 3 or 4 drops of carrier oil. There are several carrier oils to pick from but you may want to avoid coconut oil because it is affected by temperature changes.
Stir the mixture and put it on a stove on low heat. You want to warm it, not boil. Do not be tempted to heat this mixture in the microwave, as it is likely to lose its nutrients.
Step 3
Take your jar and place a strainer over it then pour the rosemary water and oil mixture. Allow this infusion to cool in the jar and it will be ready to use.
How to Apply
The following is the application process.
Step 1
Section your hair for easier application and absorption of the rosemary oil. After that pour a generous amount of your rosemary oil onto your palms and start applying on your hair.
You want to begin from the hair tips as you work your way towards the roots.
Step 2
Then, you want to concentrate on your scalp and massage it for about 15 minutes. This promotes blood circulation and stimulates hair growth cells.
Step 3
Once you are done massaging, you want to put your towel in hot water and wring it out. Wrap the towel around your head to cover your hair when it is still warm. You can also simply use a shower cap for this.
Let the oil sit in your hair for half an hour and then rinse it off with warm water and mild shampoo. Rinse again with cold water to seal moisture in your cuticles.
For best results, you want to use this rosemary oil treatment at least twice weekly. Remember not to overheat the oil as it will not only cause nutrient loss, but it can also burn your scalp.
How is Rosemary Oil Used for Hair Loss?
There are several ways you can use rosemary oil to repair and thicken your hair. They include:
Applying Directly to the Scalp
For this, use about 5 drops of the oil, apply evenly to your scalp, and massage thoroughly. Note that rosemary oil on its own is quite potent so you may want to mix it with another oil such as jojoba oil.
You can decide to rinse the oil out or just leave it in.
Infuse into your Shampoo
When we say shampoo, we mean that you can also add the oil to other products such as hair cream, gel, or conditioner.
Just do not overdo it. 5 drops per ounce should do.
Once you do this, shake or mix your product to ensure that it blends well with the rosemary oil and use as usual.
Benefits of Rosemary Oil for Hair
Rosemary oil comes with several benefits for your hair some of which include:
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Improving Blood Circulation in the Scalp
Did you know that rosemary has the same properties as peppermint? Both are known to promote blood flow and transport oxygen around the body, effectively raising blood pressure (ref).
Your scalp requires an adequate supply of oxygen to maintain its health. Therefore, when you apply rosemary oil, you stimulate blood circulation to your scalp, which then nourishes your hair follicles and ultimately prevents hair loss and thinning.
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Reducing Hair Loss Caused by Testosterone
Some men lose hair because of the DHT levels in their system. The overproduction of this hormone shortens the life cycle of hair and causes it to shrink (ref).
It is hypothesized that rosemary oil can prevent DHT from connecting to hormone receptors and prevent it from attacking hair follicles.
When you apply rosemary oil directly to your scalp, you help extend the life cycle of your hair and stimulate the growth of healthy hair.
In fact, some studies have likened this oil’s effectiveness to that of Minoxidil 2% (ref).
For best results, apply heat on your hair with a warm, damp towel before rinsing your hair out with mild shampoo and warm water.
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Protecting Hair Cells
Rosemary has antimicrobial properties and is, therefore, safe to use on the scalp (ref). These properties safeguard your scalp from harmful environmental agents such as free radicals.
Applying rosemary oil on your scalp, therefore, leaves it irritation-free and happy.
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Strengthening and Thickening Hair
Although rosemary oil is not capable of generating more hair, it does strengthen the hair you have and promote the growth of new, healthy hair.
It is also believed that this oil can help relieve itching and reduce dandruff.
Side Effects
Unfortunately, rosemary oil poses a risk for some people. As such, people with the following conditions should avoid using the oil.
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Pregnant Women
Rosemary is known to stimulate menstruation and can be harmful even to expectant moms (ref).
Although there isn’t enough evidence to prove that rosemary oil is unsafe to use during pregnancy, you want to avoid using it to be on the safe side.
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Nursing Mothers
Rosemary oil is thought to be unsafe to use when lactating. For that reason, nursing mothers are discouraged from using it.
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Seizure Disorders
Simply put, rosemary oil can worsen seizure disorders so if you suffer from the same, avoid using it (ref).
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Aspirin allergy
Are you aware that rosemary comprises a chemical that is similar to another one found in aspirin (ref)? If you are allergic to aspirin, avoid using rosemary as it may cause a chemical reaction.
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Bleeding Disorders
If you have any bleeding disorder, you may want to use rosemary oil cautiously or avoid it altogether.
This is because it could increase the risk of bruising or bleeding (ref).
Frequently Asked Questions on Rosemary Oil and Hair Health
You may have a question or two regarding rosemary oil and its connection to hair and we have tackled a few below that may be of help.
Can rosemary oil be directly applied to the scalp?
Yes, it can but only when diluted. You see, rosemary oil on its own is very potent so it has to be diluted by adding a few drops of carrier oil to it.
You may also want to do a patch test on your scalp to find out how your body reacts to it before going all out with the oil.
How long should I let rosemary oil sit in my hair?
Dilute your rosemary oil with a carrier oil of your choice such as sunflower or coconut oil and then apply to your hair and scalp.
If you are going to rinse it out, let it sit for 10 minutes. However, some people prefer to let the oil remain in the hair until their next washday.
What is rosemary oil used for?
The oil is known to promote hair growth and improve thickness. This is because it can stimulate cell generation.
It also reduces itching and dandruff.
Conclusion
Many people have used rosemary oil to stimulate the growth of healthy and thick hair as well as reduce thinning.
There is no reason why it should not do the same for you.
Personal experiences and science combined imply that this essential oil does reduce hair loss especially the kind that is linked to female or male pattern baldness.
The oil can be bought from stores but the best part is that you can make your own at home using readily available ingredients and a simple procedure.
Sure, it comes with a few side-effects especially for persons with particular health conditions but other than that, it is a safe, natural, and affordable hair growth solution that we can recommend.
