How to make rosemary water from scratch at home to use on hair to help get rid of dandruff and speed up hair growth.

This DIY rosemary water hair rinse recipe helps to nourish the scalp, boost shine, and strengthen hair naturally without the chemicals and parabens often found in commercial hair care products.

The problem with many hair care items, even some of the natural ones, is that they strip hair of its natural oils. Many shampoos contain chemical ingredients that coat the hair to give it that smooth, silky feel, to replace the oils it’s just stripped.

While rosemary water has become a bit of a trend on TikTok recently, there is scientific backing to support this herb in its ability to improve both hair and scalp health. It’s not just a TikTok gimmick.

According to dermatologist Dr. R. Sonia Batra, ‘[Rosemary] can boost hair growth by inhibiting hormonal changes that lead to hair loss, improving circulation to the follicles, acting as an antioxidant, and decreasing inflammation on the scalp.’

This rosemary hair rinse easily fits into your normal hair care routine and is best applied after a shower. It’s important that this rinse be applied daily to reap the most benefits.

The word Rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis) is Latin for “dew of the sea,” as it’s often found growing along cliffs by the sea.

Today, rosemary is grown in many climates around the world, and has an array of health benefits which stem from its high level of antioxidants, including carnosic acid, ursolic acid, carnosol, rosmarinic acid, and caffeic acid.

Rosemary Health Benefits

The health benefits of rosemary are most often attributed to its high level of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Some of the many benefits of rosemary include:

• Improved cognitive function: As rosemary is an aromatic herb, its scent can help boost cognitive function. Rosemary has been found to significantly enhance the quality of memory and increase mental alertness, according to a study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience. In an article by Wellness Mama, she shares how “Rosemary has been used traditionally to reduce cognitive decline in aging, and at least one study confirms this connection. What it found was that culinary doses of rosemary significantly helped reduce cognitive decline.” Interestingly, she goes on to note that more is not always better, as a high dose of rosemary had the opposite effect.
• Anti-cancer properties: According to a study published in Cancer Letters, rosemary was found to be beneficial for cancers such as breast, skin, leukaemia, colon, and prostate. It’s believed that the antioxidant activity in rosemary plays a major part in this.
• Reduce stress: Research has found that inhaling the aroma of rosemary essential oil can help to lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the blood.
• Supports liver function: According to Wellness Mama, “A 1999 review article concluded that rosemary supports liver health by increasing bile production and protecting the liver from damage.”
• Reduces menstrual pain: According to a study published in the Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research, rosemary extract can help to soothe dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain) by reducing the production of prostaglandins (hormone-like compounds which help the uterus contract during menstruation and shed its lining). Using rosemary oil externally can help soothe the stomach and relieve pain from indigestion or menstrual cramps.
• Supports hair growth: A 2015 study found that rosemary essential oil was as effective in regrowing hair as conventional hair regrowth treatments like minoxidil, but only in the long-term.
• Improves skin health: According to an article published in Evidence-Based Complementary Alternative Medicine, skin issues like acne, sebum (oil) imbalance, cellulite, bacterial infections, congested and oily skin conditions, dandruff, eczema, rosacea, dermatitis, and dry scalp were all shown to improve with rosemary essential oil use.

The particular benefit we’ll be focusing on today is rosemary for hair growth.

Before we get started in learning how to make this homemade rosemary water – if you like what you’re seeing, subscribe to my email newsletter at the bottom of the page to keep up to date on the latest recipes, DIYs, gardening and health tips I share!!

Homemade Rosemary Water for Hair

Rosemary water unfortunately isn’t a one-off treatment. It is something that needs to be applied on a regular basis over an extensive period of time for it to have any noticeable effect. This rinse can be applied to the scalp overnight and washed out in the morning. It’s as simple as that.

Applying a rosemary-infused oil can be another effective treatment for dandruff or hair loss. To use, simply rub the oil on hair, let it work it’s magic for 20 minutes to one hour, and then wash it out. This home remedy really improves scalp health.

To make rosemary water with rosemary essential oil, mix 10-15 drops of the oil with two to three cups of boiled water that has been allowed to cool. Apply directly to your hair and scalp and leave in for one hour or overnight.

If you are already using an oral or applied medication for hair loss, do not also use rosemary water without consulting a physician first. Consult your doctor first before using, particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have an aspirin allergy.

There are two ways to make this rosemary water for hair.

Method one: Simmering the rosemary sprigs in water for an extended period of time in order to extract the components. This is similar to brewing a rosemary tea.

Method two: Steeping the rosemary sprigs for a few hours to gently extract the components. This is like making a rosemary infusion.

Ingredients:

• 1 quart distilled water or boiled water
• 5 rosemary sprigs
• Glass spray bottle

To make:

Method one

1. Lightly rinse the rosemary sprigs to remove any dirt or debris, then place them in a large saucepan along with the one quart of distilled water, and bring to a boil. If the water doesn’t cover the sprigs, add more until the sprigs are completely covered. Once boiling, reduce the water to a simmer.
2. Let the water simmer for 40 minutes
3. Strain the rosemary water immediately or let it cool down to room temperature to infuse even further. Strain into a glass spray bottle (glass or metal is preferred, particularly if the rosemary water is still very hot) or a large mason jar. The rosemary sprigs can be composted.
4. Once the mixture has cooled, and after cleaning hair as normal, mix the prepared rosemary rinse with some water, creating a 4-to-1 ratio.
5. Spray liberal amounts of the rinse all over your hair, then massage your scalp in a circular motion (this improves blood circulation even more), massaging all the way down your hair.
6. Ideally, this rosemary water rinse can be left in overnight, or it can be washed out with water after one hour. This rinse can be applied daily, or two to three times a week as a leave-in treatment.
7. Store the rosemary water in the fridge to prolong its shelf life. The mixture should last one to two weeks if stored properly.

Method two

1. Boil the water and let it cool down for about 20 minutes or so.
2. Place the rosemary twigs in a large mason jar or saucepan and pour the water over the top to completely submerge the sprigs.
3. Allow the rosemary to steep for at least five to twelve hours (or overnight).
4. Strain the rosemary water into a glass spray bottle (glass or metal is preferred) or a large mason jar. The rosemary sprigs can be composted.
5. After cleaning hair as normal, mix the prepared rosemary rinse with some water, creating a 4-to-1 ratio.
6. Spray liberal amounts of the rinse all over your hair, then massage your scalp in a circular motion (this improves blood circulation even more), massaging all the way down your hair.
7. Ideally, the rosemary rinse can be left in overnight, or it can be washed out with water after one hour. This rinse can be applied daily, or two to three times a week as a leave-in treatment.
8. Store the rosemary water in the fridge to prolong its shelf life. The mixture should last one to two weeks if stored properly.

I prefer this method as it’s a gentler approach to extracting the beneficial properties from the rosemary plant. Using high temperatures can destroy some of the beneficial components found in the herb, so using lower temperatures can prove more beneficial.

As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor before trying or using any new products. I am not a doctor. All opinions expressed are my own personal thoughts and feelings of the products mentioned. Check with your doctor or health practitioner if you are uncertain about trying out any of the products, recipes or tips mentioned in this post. 

Have you used rosemary before for hair care? Was it helpful? Share in the comments below.

Lots of love,

🖤 Vanessa

Sources:

Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, Mahboobeh; Hosseinzadeh, Hossein. (September 23, 2020). Therapeutic effects of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and its active constituents on nervous system disorders. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences. NIH: National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7491497/

Moss, Mark; Cook, Jenny; Wesnes, Keith; Duckett, Paul. (January, 2003). Aromas of rosemary and lavender essential oils differentially affect cognition and mood in healthy adults. International Journal of Neuroscience. NIH: National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12690999/

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8 Ways That Rosemary Can Improve Your Mental, Emotional, and Physical Well-Being. Intrepid Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.intrepidmentalhealth.com/blog/8-ways-that-rosemary-can-improve-your-mental-emotional-and-physical-well-being

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Panahi, Yunes; Taghizadeh, Mohsen; Tahmasbpour Marzony, Eisa; Sahebkar, Amirhossein. (February 13, 2015). Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial. SKINmed journal. NIH: National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25842469/

Tahoonian-Golkhatmy, Fahimeh; Abedian, Zahra; Emami, Seyed-Ahmad; Esmaily, Habibollah. (August 24, 2019). Comparison of Rosemary and Mefenamic Acid Capsules on Menstrual Bleeding and Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Clinical Trial. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research. NIH: National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6621500/

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