The internet is teeming with hacks and tips on how to make your hair grow. Apart from the famous rice water, folks can’t stop talking about rosemary water for hair growth. The hype is overwhelming and may set you buying the herb to start making the hair concoction. Well, truth be told, rosemary water does help with your mane. However, it may not be as magical as pulling your strands inches off your scalp overnight.
There are a few things to note about this powerhouse. You’ve also heard that it adds shine to your hair and strengthens your strands, right? But how true is that? Does this herb water really benefit your hair health?
We’re here to uncover all the truths about this “healing water,” and give you tips for optimal benefits and the drawbacks. We’ll also guide you on how to make rosemary water for hair growth.
Read on to the end!
How does Rosemary Water Benefit the Hair?
You may wonder why this powerhouse is considered a hair growth stimulant. First off, before getting to the tenets, it’s worth noting that hair is constantly growing. Everyone’s hair, regardless of its type and curls, grows. According to MedicalNewsToday, a regular person’s hair grows 0.2 to 0.7 inches per month. The difference comes with a few factors like genetics, medical conditions, sex, and age which may reduce the growth rate.
Now that all your hair does is grow, why does it not grow past your shoulders? This brings us to our next question:
Does Rosemary Water Grow Hair?
In actual sense, rosemary water doesn’t technically pull the strands of your follicles. Instead, it strengthens them, making them less prone to breakage and other woes that hair goes through. But that’s not the final verdict. A study published in 2013 sheds more light on rosemary water – that it could promote hair regrowth in people suffering hair loss due to alopecia. Think about reversing the effects caused by genetic disorders!
Besides strengthening your strands, the rosemary sprigs have powerful natural ingredients like anti-oxidants that stimulate hair growth. They also contain anti-inflammatory properties, hence, giving a perfect environment for the growth of stronger healthier hair. The water neutralizes the effects of stressors like UV radiation and pollution such that they don’t cause so much harm.
Additionally, the plant promotes blood circulation, providing hair follicles with a good amount of blood. Hence, your follicles are replenished and well-fed with nutrients. Lack of this brings about problems with the scalp like dandruff. This just shows the higher potency of rosemary water for hair growth. If you haven’t yet, it’s time you got up and took out a rosemary water spray for hair growth!
Remember, there’s a direct link between your scalp health and hair growth. Hence, this water or oil will bring healing to your scalp, and inadvertently cause your hair to grow. A dry, itchy scalp causes the urge to scratch. Scratching a dry scalp will worsen the situation by weakening your follicles which only results in hair breakage.
Rosemary water also contains tannins and saponins which promote hair elasticity, moisturize your hair, and protect your hair fiber.
How to Make Rosemary Water Hair Rinse
If you’re wondering how you can squeeze all the juice from the sprigs, the good news is you don’t have to splurge. You can do it yourself at home and without any prior knowledge. Here’s your ultimate rosemary water recipe for hair growth.
Ingredients:
- Fresh rosemary leaves
- Two cups of distilled water
Equipment:
- Cooking pot
- Plant shears or scissors
- Spray bottle
- Bowl
- Sieve
Directions
- Get some rosemary sprigs, ideally five.
Rosemary leaves are available at shopping stores or grocery shops. However, they can survive in most weather conditions. So, if you haven’t yet, consider planting them in your backyard. They are also a healthy ingredient for your meals and skin. Meanwhile, rosemary leaves go for just a few dollars. The number of sprigs you get depends on how potent you want this water to be. But in this case, we’re using 5. - Put the sprigs in your pot, add water, and boil.
Before putting the sprigs in the pit, be sure to give them a good rinse so you can get a clean hair concoction. After removing all the debris and contaminants, it’s now time to add water to the pot. There’s not a definite amount of water. Just ensure that the sprigs are engulfed.
Light up your stove and bring the mixture to a boil. Wait for the mixture to simmer for up to 20 minutes. By now, the leaves will have turned yellowy-green. Remember, the longer the simmer, the more potent the water is going to be. Hence, you can consider waiting for up to 2 hours while adding water if it boils off. - Remove the water from the fire.
Turn down the stove and let the water steep. You can start with a 30-minute steep time and then adjust later, depending on how potent you like the water. After 30 minutes, you’ll notice that the water is darker. That simply means that the juice has diffused into the water. Just as it is with simmering, the more steeping time, the more rosy the water will be. - Sieve the mix
Feel the water temperature to ensure it’s not too hot for your scalp. Then use a strainer to sieve the mix, transferring the water into a bowl. Use a spouted bowl to have a less messy transfer – you don’t want to lose any drop of this powerhouse. If you notice some residue in the strained water, sieve it again or use a small-pored strainer.
Go ahead to transfer the water into your spray bottle. Screw the bottle top and start making those squirts.
Can Rosemary Water Boost Hair Growth?
Rosemary water packs numerous properties that help boost hair growth. But there’s more to science than layman’s knowledge of how effective this plant is. Rosemary water or oil is considered therapeutic because of its potent elements like ursolic acid, carnosic acid, aleonolic acid, caffeic, and rosmarinic acid. Each element individually helps with hair growth by providing a healthy, stimulated scalp and follicles. Just to mention, the acids catalyze hair growth through the upregulation of involved proteins.
Besides, these elements give your hair a healthy, shiny look.
A study published in 2015 shows the higher potency of rosemary water for hair growth compared to minoxidil (an active Rogaine component). The 6-months study unleashed impressive results, with rosemary water giving better results, compared to untreated groups. So, what’s holding you back from getting a rosemary water spray for hair growth?
Besides, the leaf has restorative properties that stimulate hair growth in patients with alopecia. Its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-microbial properties help with nerve growth stimulation and increased blood flow to your scalp. This gives you a go-ahead in making rosemary water for hair recipe. It’s also a therapeutic ingredient for any skin care regimen.
Hair Types That Benefit Most From Rosemary Water
Rosemary water works well with all hair types including the curly ones like type 4 B hair or even 3 B hair type. There’s no proven evidence claiming that only a certain type of hair can use this powerhouse. For instance, you can be a regular person who’s had enough of short, unhealthy hair and is looking for ways to break through. In such a case, rosemary water will come in handy to heal your scalp, stimulate growth, and strengthen your hair strands and follicles.
Another group of people who could draw from this rosemary well is those suffering from hair loss. Hair loss is caused by a variety of factors like age, genetics, hormonal problems, and the like. If you fall in this category, you can bank on this water along with the medical solutions your physician gives to reap massive effects. While there’s limited evidence for this, the previously mentioned study showed a significant difference between respondents who used the water and those who did not.
Hence, you may not expect your hair to grow back in just a week, but long periods of constant use of rosemary water will make a difference.
Hair Types to Avoid Using Rosemary Water
Looking at its massive benefits, you may presume that rosemary water is safe for everyone. However, due to its potent nature, it may pose some health risks to a few individuals. Pregnant or nursing mothers are advised to quit using rosemary water. Besides, people with hair loss can only use it if recommended by their doctors. Otherwise, using the water along with hair loss medication can mean more harm than good.
While rosemary is greatly effective in improving one’s skincare, people with skin allergies may find it terrible. Its elements and acids may not create a good condition for allergic skin. So, consult your clinician before trying rosemary oil or water. You may opt for patch testing if you haven’t yet, to determine the cause of your skin allergies and whether the water can help correct it.
Mothers may also avoid using rosemary water on their children’s hair and skin. Young skin is still vulnerable, and subjecting it to the strong compounds of rosemary water may tone down its health.
Best Practices for Using Rosemary Water
The best way to use rosemary for hair growth is by first ensuring that it’s safe for your scalp. You can choose to rinse your hair with it after washing or spray it on your way out. Whichever way, make sure that you don’t rinse it out. Letting it sit on your hair and scalp will give you enough time for the assimilation of its content.
While there’s no particular amount of rosemary water or oil recommended for daily usage, watching how your hair responds will help you. So, give your hair a daily rinse, or simply spray it every day. If this is too much, you’ll start noticing irritation. If you don’t want to get there, consider just spraying daily and giving a full rinse on your wash days.
Remember that consistency is a major factor for visible results. You may not realize a darker, stronger, and healthier hair on the first day of application. However, after a few weeks or months, the benefits will start unfolding. Results may start presenting earlier, depending on how consistent you are with your application.
Q&A
Is Rosemary Water Good for Hair?
Yes! The rosemary plant contains powerful compounds that work together to give your hair a conducive environment for growth. Upon consistent usage, you’ll start noticing healthier strands and a less itchy scalp. This regimen will also add a black tinge to your hair over time. However, if you have hormonal, allergic, and genetic issues, consider talking to your physician first.
Pregnant and lactating mothers as well as children are advised to postpone using this powerful water/oil.
How to Store Rosemary Water for Hair?
To keep it fresh, put rosemary water in a bottle, close it, and store it in a fridge. The water or oil will stay fresh for two weeks of refrigeration. To avoid wastage, make the water in small portions that will suffice the two weeks of freshness.
Should I Rinse Out the Rosemary Water After Application?
No! Since the water is safe for regular skin and scalp, you don’t have to rinse it out. Giving the water less contact with your scalp and strands will slow the process such that you don’t see results in good time. So leave it there!
Conclusion
There’s so much to uncover about rosemary leaves and their massive benefits in scalp health, hair health, and skincare. Now that you know how to make rosemary water, you can plant it in your garden and use it as much as you want.
Powerful as it is, you would need to bank on consistency to enjoy these overwhelming results. If you realize that you’re doing too much, just take a day down and alternate days. Just let your routine be very consistent to restore the shine, length, and health you’ve always wanted for your mane.
