5 Ways to Make Homemade Rosemary Oil for Hair

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Learn to properly apply rosemary oil for hair growth & strength
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Rosemary oil is an all-natural way to help promote healthy hair growth and reduce scalp inflammation. Even better, it's super easy to make at home. We're sharing everything you need to know about making rosemary oil for your hair, plus science-based info on whether it really works.

Making Rosemary Oil for Hair

According to certified aromatherapist Renee Hughes, the best way to make rosemary oil for hair growth is to mix rosemary essential oil into a carrier oil at a 1% dilution. That works out to 1 drop of oil for every 1 tsp (4.5 g) of carrier oil. That way, you’ll be able to safely use it every day.

Section 1 of 8:

Heat Extraction with Fresh Rosemary

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  1. You can use any carrier oil that's safe for hair—olive, almond, argan, castor, grapeseed, avocado, and coconut oil are all popular. Place the oil in a small pan and place it over low heat for about 5 minutes to gently warm the oil. [1]
    • If you’re using coconut oil, make sure it melts completely.
    • If you’re using a thick oil like castor, coconut, or almond, consider mixing it with an equal amount of a lighter-weight oil like jojoba or argan so it doesn't weigh your hair down.
    • Some people prefer to use a double boiler so the oil doesn’t burn—place a shallow bowl on top of a small saucepan filled with water, then add the oil and rosemary to the bowl.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Rosemary Hair Oil
    Stir the rosemary to coat it in the oil and let it sit on low heat for about 20 minutes or until you see a few small bubbles forming. Make sure the rosemary is completely submerged in the oil. If you need to, trim the springs down some so they’ll fit. [2]
    • Some people prefer to leave the rosemary sprigs whole because they’re easier to remove from the oil. But if you want, you can remove the rosemary leaves from the stem and them lightly to release more of their aroma.
    • If you’d prefer to use dried rosemary, add about 3 tbsp (9 g) to the pot.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Rosemary Hair Oil
    Pour the rosemary oil from the pan into a small bowl, straining it through a fine mesh strainer , coffee filter, or cheesecloth . You may need to squeeze the cheesecloth or press the mixture through the strainer with the back of a spoon to extract all of the oil. Repeat as needed until you don’t see any bits of rosemary left in the oil. [3]
    • If you used coconut oil, strain the rosemary while the mixture is still warm enough to be liquid, but not hot enough that you’ll burn yourself.
    • If you used whole rosemary sprigs, remove them with tongs, then strain the oil to remove any pieces that are left behind.
    • You can allow the leaves to steep in the oil for up to 2 hours, or you can strain the oil as soon as it’s cooled.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Rosemary Hair Oil
    Use a glass bottle meant for essential oils or pour the mixture into a mason jar. Seal the container tightly, then keep it in a cool, dark place. [4]
    • If you store it properly, this mixture will last about 10 days.
    • If you used coconut oil, the mixture will solidify at room temperature. To use it, scoop out about 1 tsp (4.5 g) and heat it for 10–15 seconds in the microwave. Test it with your finger to make sure it’s not too hot before you apply it to your scalp.
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Section 2 of 8:

Cold Extraction with Dried Rosemary

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Rosemary Hair Oil
    Remove the rosemary leaves from the stem so you can fit more in the jar. You’ll probably need about 1 oz (28 g) of rosemary, but the measurements don’t have to be exact. [5]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Rosemary Hair Oil
    Because you’re not heating the oil, use a carrier oil that’s in a liquid state at room temperature, like olive, castor, jojoba, argan, or grapeseed. Pour the oil into the jar until the rosemary is completely covered, then add about another 1 in (2.5 cm) above that. [6]
    • You’ll need about 2 parts oil to every 1 part rosemary.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Rosemary Hair Oil
    This will help coat each individual rosemary leaf with oil, and it will also help remove any air bubbles that could escape later and pop the seal on your jar. [7]
    • You can also stir the mixture with a spoon to remove the air bubbles if you prefer.
  4. A little heat and sunlight will help speed up the process, so place the jar in a sunny window or on a counter with good natural light. Every day or two, roll the jar slowly in your hands to gently stir the rosemary. This will help the extraction process. [8]
    • Over the next few weeks, the rosemary oils will slowly seep into the carrier oil, creating an aromatic extraction that you can use on your hair.
    • The longer you leave the extraction, the more rosemary you’ll extract—some people recommend leaving the rosemary in the jar for up to a month. [9]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Rosemary Hair Oil
    Filter the rosemary oil through a coffee filter, fine mesh strainer, or cheesecloth, squeezing or pressing it through to extract as much of the oil from the leaves as possible. You may need to repeat the straining process several times to remove all of the rosemary. [10]
    • Once the oil is strained, pour the oil into a dark-colored, airtight jar or bottle and store it in a cool, dry place. It can last for up to a year, but if it smells bad before that, throw it out and make a new batch.
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Section 3 of 8:

Diluting Rosemary Essential Oil

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  1. Adding 1 drop of essential oil to 1 tsp (about 4.5 g) of carrier oil creates a 1% dilution, or you can add 2 drops for a 2% oil. Certified aromatherapist Renee Hughes says, “If you’re planning to use rosemary oil to encourage hair growth, blend it at 1%, maximum 2%. That way, it will be gentle enough to use every day.”
    • Clinical herbalist Lorena Barcal recommends mixing rosemary essential oil with jojoba and coconut oils. You can also use argan, grapeseed, castor, almond, or avocado oil if you prefer.
    • If you want to make a larger batch of oil, just be sure to measure carefully so you keep the same proportion of ingredients.
    • Don’t use undiluted rosemary essential on your scalp—it could cause irritation, itchiness, dryness, flaking, or even allergic reactions in some people. [11]
Section 4 of 8:

Rosemary and Peppermint Oil

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  1. If you’re using dried mint leaves, use about half as much mint as you have rosemary, and add it to the oil at the same time as the rosemary leaves. [12] If you’re using peppermint essential oil, use about 5 drops for every 1 cup (225 g) of oil. Add it after you steep the rosemary leaves for the cold or hot extractions, or add it at the same time as the rosemary essential oil if that’s what you’re using. [13]
    • Peppermint oil has been shown in studies to help increase hair growth and thickness. [14]
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Section 5 of 8:

Rosemary and Lavender Oil

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  1. Add a small handful of dried lavender flowers to your oil when you’re steeping the rosemary to add a beautiful floral scent and even more hair-boosting power to your rosemary oil. [15]
    • If you have access to fresh lavender, pick a handful of flowers and dry them on low heat in your oven or food dehydrator.
    • If you don’t have dried lavender, add 5 drops of lavender essential oil to every 1 cup (225 g) of rosemary oil.
Section 6 of 8:

Applying Rosemary Hair Oil for Hair Growth

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  1. Anytime you use a new product on your skin, it’s a good idea to test it in a small area first to make sure you don’t have an adverse reaction. Apply a few drops to one part of your scalp, then let it sit for a few hours or overnight. If you don’t notice any side effects, you can continue using the oil. [16]
    • If you have a reaction to the oil, shampoo it out right away and stop using it.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Rosemary Hair Oil
    If you’re using rosemary oil to stimulate hair growth, focus on applying the oil to your scalp—it won’t have too many benefits for the lengths of your hair. Leave it on for a few hours or overnight, then shampoo it out. [17]
    • For best results, apply the mixture to dry hair.
  3. It can take a while to see results from using rosemary oil. As long as the oil doesn't irritate your scalp, keep applying it consistently for about 6 months, then evaluate whether you notice a difference.
  4. Although rosemary oil is most effective when you apply it directly to your scalp, you may still get some benefits by adding it to your shampoo. Just squirt a little shampoo into your hand, then add a few drops of oil to the shampoo, lather, and wash your hair as usual. [18]
  5. If you want to use rosemary oil all over your hair—an option if your hair is thick and dry—try putting it in a spray bottle. Just be mindful that this will work best with thinner oils like olive or argan. Thicker oils may clog the nozzle on the spray bottle.
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Section 7 of 8:

Benefits of Rosemary Hair Oil

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  1. A study in 2016 found that rosemary oil was as effective as minoxidil at helping participants with androgenetic alopecia regrow hair. Just keep in mind that in the study, the oil was applied daily and it took 6 months for there to be a noticeable difference. [19]
    • Participants who used rosemary oil also experienced less scalp itching than those who used minoxidil.
  2. Rosemary oil has an anti-inflammatory effect. As a result, it may help relieve issues related to inflammation, like seborrheic dermatitis (more commonly known as dandruff). [20]
  3. If your hair is dry and brittle, rosemary oil can be a great way to restore moisture and shine. Just work the oil through the ends of your hair and let it sit for a few hours. If your hair is really dry, you may not even need to rinse it out—but do wash your hair if the oil leaves it feeling heavy or greasy.
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Section 8 of 8:

FAQs

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  1. 1
    Does rosemary oil really help hair growth? Yes, there’s some evidence that after 6 months of regular use, rosemary oil is as effective as the drug minoxidil at regrowing hair. [21]
  2. 2
    Can rosemary make gray hair turn back? There’s not enough evidence on this to say for sure, but rosemary could potentially decrease the environmental stress that leads to gray hairs—si maybe. [22]
  3. 3
    Does rosemary oil work for all hair types? You can use rosemary oil on any hair type. However, if your hair is especially fine, you may find that rosemary oil looks heavy or greasy after you apply it. It may help to use a lighter carrier oil, or you may need to apply less oil to your scalp. [23]
  4. 4
    Can anyone use rosemary hair oil? Avoid using rosemary oil if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Although health warnings generally apply to undiluted rosemary essential oil, it’s better to stay on the safe side. [24]
  5. 5
    How can you tell if rosemary oil is still good? The best way to know if your rosemary oil has gone bad is to smell it. If it smells clean and fresh, with a pleasant herbal scent, it’s still good. If it smells sour, off, or rancid, toss it out.
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Which Oil Is Best For Hair?


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  • Question
    Do you have to keep the rosemary oil in the refrigerator?
    Doreen Moore
    Community Answer
    As long as you are using dyed rosemary oil and coconut oil, the recipe should be shelf-stable. You can keep it on the countertop.
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    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 17
  • Question
    How long do we keep that oil?
    Doreen Moore
    Community Answer
    12 to 18 months, as long as you use dried rosemary when making this oil.
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  • Question
    Is it OK to use if I burned my rosemary a little bit?
    Doreen Moore
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can use rosemary oil that's slightly brown, but if it smells burnt, toss it out and make a new batch.
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      Things You’ll Need

      Heat Extraction

      • 1 cup (225 g) carrier oil
      • Rosemary (6–8 sprigs fresh or 3 tbsp (9 g) dried)
      • Saucepan
      • Strainer, coffee filter, or cheesecloth
      • Glass jar or container

      Cold Extraction

      • 1 oz (28 g) dried rosemary
      • Carrier oil
      • Jar with airtight lid
      • Strainer, coffee filter, or cheesecloth
      • Glass jar or container

      Essential Oil

      • Rosemary essential oil
      • Carrier oil
      • Small container

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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about natural products, check out our in-depth interview with Lorena Barcal .

      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/rXLuOKV46Ss?t=142
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/rXLuOKV46Ss?t=148
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/rXLuOKV46Ss?t=158
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/rXLuOKV46Ss?t=190
      5. ↑ https://www.harvestandwellness.com/natural-remedies/rosemary-infused-oil
      6. ↑ https://www.harvestandwellness.com/natural-remedies/rosemary-infused-oil
      7. ↑ https://www.harvestandwellness.com/natural-remedies/rosemary-infused-oil
      8. ↑ https://www.harvestandwellness.com/natural-remedies/rosemary-infused-oil
      9. ↑ https://www.harvestandwellness.com/natural-remedies/rosemary-infused-oil
      1. ↑ https://www.harvestandwellness.com/natural-remedies/rosemary-infused-oil
      2. ↑ https://wimpoleclinic.com/blog/how-to-dilute-rosemary-oil-for-hair-and-the-best-carrier-oils/
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/1zVt6wrCb6c?t=195
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/6n0zkk_AbdQ?t=180
      5. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4289931/
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ZpDELKwTvkI?t=16&feature=share
      7. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/podcasts/health-essentials/rosemary-oil-the-secret-ingredient-for-hair-growth-with-shilpi-khetarpal-md
      8. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/podcasts/health-essentials/rosemary-oil-the-secret-ingredient-for-hair-growth-with-shilpi-khetarpal-md
      9. ↑ https://www.vogue.com/article/rosemary-oil-hair-diary
      10. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25842469/
      11. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/podcasts/health-essentials/rosemary-oil-the-secret-ingredient-for-hair-growth-with-shilpi-khetarpal-md
      12. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/rosemary-oil-for-hair
      13. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/podcasts/health-essentials/rosemary-oil-the-secret-ingredient-for-hair-growth-with-shilpi-khetarpal-md
      14. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/rosemary-oil-for-hair
      15. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/rosemary-oil-for-hair

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