DIY Rosemary Water: Unlock the Secret to Thicker, Healthier Hair
Want longer, stronger hair? Try this rosemary water hack for hair growth.
March 13, 2023 6 minutes readIn This Post
Stressing out about thin, lifeless hair is one vicious circle, as stress itself can be the root cause of the problem. But stress no more! We found a simple, all-natural solution to your troubles – DIY rosemary water.
Rosemary, a fragrant herb commonly added to soups, stews, and other dishes, is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that heal the scalp and encourage hair growth. And rosemary water, a simple home remedy for all your hair woes, has been used for centuries to treat hair and scalp problems – so it has a long history of traditional use.
In this article, we'll show you how to make your own rosemary water treatment at home and how to use it to achieve the best results. We'll also discuss the science behind how rosemary can promote hair growth as well as help with the overall health and look of your hair.
What Is Rosemary Water?
Rosemary water is water infused with rosemary, a versatile herb that has been used for centuries in cooking and as a natural remedy for a variety of ailments. In essence, rosemary water is a simple preparation made by steeping dried or fresh rosemary leaves in hot water. The resulting dark brown or yellow liquid is believed to have several potential health benefits, including hair growth.
Even though it's a centuries-old technique, it just recently drew our attention as the rosemary-water-for-hair-growth hack became viral on TikTok not so long ago. Similarly to rice water, the influencers would use the rosemary water hair rinse or spray and boast about their long, luscious locks.
And indeed, the rosemary plant (Rosmarinus officinalis) is known for its high concentration of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, which promote a healthy scalp and encourage hair growth. The rosemary water can be used as a hair rinse after shampooing, as a leave-in hair treatment, or it can also be used for scalp massage.
But, it's important to note that while rosemary water is a natural remedy and it may help with hair growth, issues with hair loss are determined by many factors such as genetics, hormonal balance, diet, and overall health. So, if you're experiencing excessive hair loss, please talk to your doctor first. Also, check that you're not allergic to rosemary before trying it as a hair treatment.
How to Make DIY Rosemary Water
Making rosemary water is pretty easy and you'll just need a few ingredients for the recipe. So, if you have some dried or fresh rosemary leaves and some free time on your hands, go ahead and make this super-boosting treatment your hair needs.
And as promised, here's a simple recipe for DIY rosemary water:
DIY Rosemary Water Recipe
For this recipe, we only used rosemary leaves and water. However, you can add other ingredients, like a few drops of rosemary essential oil, as well as other herbs, like mint, sage, chamomile, or lavender, for extra hair care benefits.
You'll need:
- 1 cup fresh rosemary leaves (or 2 tablespoons dried rosemary leaves)
- 4 cups of water
- Glass jar or bottle
Preparation:
- Begin by gathering fresh rosemary leaves from the plant, or measure out dried rosemary leaves if that's what you have on hand.
- Rinse the leaves and add them to a pot filled with water. The amount of water will depend on how much rosemary water you want to make, but a good rule of thumb is to use a 1:4 ratio, so, for example, 1 cup of rosemary leaves with 4 cups of water.
- Next, bring the water to boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for another 10 minutes. Put the lid on the pot to prevent all the water form evaporating.
- Then, take the pot off the heat, and let the mixture steep for a few hours (the longer, the better). The rosemary water will be dark red and it may stain your pot, so make sure to use dark-colored dish for this purpose.
- While steeping, add other herbs if using.
- Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or a fine-mesh sieve to remove the rosemary leaves.
- Transfer the rosemary water to a glass jar or bottle and store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Note: It's good to remember that rosemary water is gentle and natural, but you should still do a patch test before using it on the whole head to make sure that you're not having adverse reactions to any of the ingredients.
How to Use Rosemary Water for Hair
There are several ways to use rosemary water for hair growth, but one of the most effective is to use it as a hair rinse. Here's how to do it:
Step 1. First, to make a rosemary water hair rinse, you need to dilute your DIY rosemary water. So, mix one cup of rosemary water with five cups of plain water.
Step 2. After shampooing your hair as normal, pour the rosemary water rinse over your hair, and massage it gently into your scalp.
Step 3. Leave the rosemary water in your hair for 10 to 15 minutes (or longer if possible), then rinse it with cool water.
Step 4. Alternatively, if you don't mind the pungent smell of the rosemary water, you can use it for the final rinse on your hair without washing it out. This will guarantee faster results.
Step 5. Let your hair air dry if possible, as heat can damage it and cause shedding. Do this once or twice a week for the best results.
You can also use rosemary water as a base for other hair care products, such as a leave-in conditioner, hair mask, and others. Here are a few ideas:
- Mix rosemary water with other ingredients like aloe vera gel, castor oil, coconut oil, cinnamon powder, honey, and/or amla oil for a hair mask treatment, and apply it to your hair before washing it off.
- You can add rosemary water to your shampoo to provide extra nourishment to your hair. This is a pretty effective and time-saving option, as you won't need additional steps in your hair care routine.
- Pour the rosemary water in a spray bottle and spritz it direclty to your roots as well as along your strands after washing your hair. For extra benefits, you can mix it with rice water.
- Mix it with several drops of rosemary essential oil and use the mixture to massage your scalp. This will also increase the blood flow to your scalp, preventing hair loss. Then, use your rosemary-infused shampoo to wash your hair.
Benefits of Rosemary Water for Hair
So, why are social media influencers crazy about this natural remedy? Well, research actually proves the many benefits of rosemary water for hair – the major one being promoting hair growth [source]. Namely, the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds present in rosemary water may stimulate blood flow to the scalp and heal and regenerate tissue on the cellular level. Therefore, rosemary nourishes the hair follicles and promotes the growth of new, healthy hair.
In addition to boosting hair follicles, rosemary water also strengthens and fortifies the hair shafts. This is due to a unique compound rosemary water contains, called rosmarinic acid, which has been shown to prevent hair breakage and split ends [source].
Another benefit of rosemary water is that it helps reduce dandruff and other scalp conditions that inhibit hair growth. This is because rosemary has antifungal and antiseptic properties, which can rebalance the scalp's microbiome and keep it clean and healthy [source].
Moreover, due to its antiseptic properties, rosemary water also helps with scalp itchiness, and it balances the scalp's natural oils, making it an excellent remedy for people with excessively oily hair.
Takeaway...
Rosemary water is a simple and natural way to promote hair growth and improve the overall health of the scalp and hair. Therefore, not only does it prevent hair loss, but it also adds shine and volume to your hair, leaving it looking and feeling healthier.
And above everything, it's widely available and easy to make at home. Plus, you can use it in a variety of ways, as a hair rinse after shampooing, a leave-in treatment, or for a scalp massage, for example. So, whether you're dealing with hair loss, or damaged and frizzy hair, this DIY rosemary water treatment is definitely worth a try!
FAQs
Does rosemary water help hair grow?
Yes, rosemary water is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, such as rosmarinic acid, that heal the scalp and regenerates tissues on the cellular level, preventing hair loss and promoting hair growth.
Can I spray rosemary water on my hair every day?
Rosemary water is a gentle natural remedy, suitable for people with sensitive scalp. So, it can be used daily, and spray it onto your roots and along your hair strands, and leave it on for several hours before washing or overnight.
How long can I leave rosemary water in my hair?
There are no hard and fast rules regarding how long you can leave rosemary-infused water in your hair. So, you can apply it a few hours before washing your hair, have it as an overnight treatment, or use it as a final rinse after washing your hair.
How long does it take for rosemary to help hair growth?
This can vary from person to person, depending on the condition of their hair and scalp, as well as the cause of hair loss. But, no matter what, you should be persistent and use it for at least six months to see any visible results.
Do you put rosemary water on wet or dry hair?
You can do both; it's completely up to you, as the benefits are the same. So, if you want to use it as a leave-in hair treatment overnight, spritz it onto dry hair. On the other hand, if you're using it as a hair rinse, use it after shampooing and conditioning.