Rosemary makes a delicious addition to baked goods, steaks, and even cocktails, but did you know it's also great for your hair? The fragrant herb is native to the Mediterranean, where it is beloved for its variety of uses and intoxicating scent. Rosemary has anti-inflammatory powers that help soothe skin and stimulate hair growth, among other benefits. Read on to see if adding rosemary to your haircare routine is right for you.
What are the benefits?
Rosemary oil is most renowned for its effects on hair growth—a study from 2015 showed that it is just as effective as the main ingredient in Rogaine for stimulating growth. Another study also suggests that one of rosemary's active ingredients, carsonic acid, enhances nerve growth. This may stimulate scalp nerve healing, which restores hair growth.
By strengthening hair, rosemary oil protects your strands from breakage, providing protection against hair loss. Its anti-inflammatory effects are also great for soothing itchy scalps, and its anti-fungal properties can help prevent dandruff. Like any oil, rosemary also improves hair's overall softness and shine.
How do you use it?
There are a few different ways to incorporate rosemary oil into your beauty routine. You can apply a few drops of the oil to your scalp directly, or mix with a carrier oil like jojoba. Massage into your scalp, and rinse out if desired. You may also mix a few drops into your shampoo or conditioner or buy hair products with rosemary oil already included.
Who should avoid it?
Obviously, make sure you are not allergic to rosemary oil before using it. Before applying it to your scalp, you might want to test the product on a small patch of your hand to make sure you don't have any adverse reactions. If your hair is particularly thin or grease-prone, you might want to proceed with caution before adding an oil to your haircare routine. Try the rinse-out route instead if you're concerned about weighing your hair down.
What are the best products?