Does rosemary water help with hair growth?

What is rosemary water?

Rosemary water is a variety of herbal water made from – you guessed it! – the rosemary plant. Also referred to as hydrosols and hydrolats, herbal waters are common ingredients in skincare products, perfumes, and aromatherapy. You can additionally include them in recipes to infuse food and drink with the flavour and fragrance of the relevant plant.

In order to make rosemary water, you distil rosemary leaves and flowers with either steam or water. This gives you a water-based product imbued with the distinctive, earthy scent and taste of rosemary. From harnessing rosemary water for hair growth to making a concentration-enhancing drink, there are several different ways to use it.

If you think rosemary herbal water sounds similar to rosemary essential oil, you’re right. They share many of the same properties, and bestow many of the same benefits. In fact, rosemary water often contains a small amount of rosemary essential oil in it. This is because both products are the result of distilling herbal matter from the rosemary plant.

However, there are some key differences between the two. For instance, rosemary water is less concentrated than rosemary essential oil. That means you can use it directly on your skin without the need to dilute it in a carrier oil. Moreover, you’re able to be more generous when putting it in recipes. Likewise, the flavour and fragrance of rosemary water is more subtle than that of the essential oil.

It also means that the methods for using rosemary oil and rosemary water for hair growth differ a little. But before we discuss how to use rosemary water for hair growth, let’s look at how it benefits your follicles.

The benefits of rosemary water for hair

We all want our hair to be thick, glossy, and healthy. Consequently, there seems to be a never-ending stream of products and techniques out there claiming to offer exactly that. Many of them are unfortunately overrated. However, both tradition and scientific research back the benefits of rosemary water for hair.

For example, one study found that rosemary was just as effective as minoxidil (Rogaine) at promoting hair growth.(1) On top of which, it resulted in lower instances of scalp itching. Evidence also indicates that rosemary could be helpful for people suffering from alopecia.(2) At this point, it’s important to note that most studies have been on rosemary essential oil rather than rosemary water. However, the two products do contain the same key ingredients and beneficial properties.

There are several reasons why using rosemary water for hair growth can be effective. Firstly, rosemary is rich in polyphenolic compounds such as rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid. These are potent antioxidants that may protect your hair and scalp from harmful oxidative stress caused by free radicals.

In addition, these compounds possess powerful anti-inflammatory properties. This works to increase blood circulation, meaning that your hair follicles get more oxygen and nutrients. In turn, this keeps them strong and healthy – which encourages hair growth. Moreover, as rosemary is naturally antimicrobial, it can further help to improve the health of your scalp and reduce dandruff.

Finally, a study on mice found that rosemary leaf extract was effective against hair loss caused by testosterone.(3) The herb may be able to prevent a by-product of the hormone from attacking hair follicles, which could be useful for those suffering from pattern baldness. However, further research on humans is required to clarify how beneficial rosemary water for hair loss like this is.

How to use rosemary water for hair growth

Now you’ve got a better idea of why it’s effective, let’s discuss how to use rosemary water for hair growth. There are actually a few methods to choose from, all of which are easy to incorporate into your haircare routine. You can stick to just one, or use a mixture of them all depending on what suits your hair and lifestyle.

One popular option is to use rosemary water as a hair rinse. To do so, dilute it with regular water and use this on your hair after shampooing and conditioning as normal. You don’t need to wash rosemary water out, although you can if you prefer a more subtle scent.

Alternatively, you could mix rosemary water into your existing shampoo, conditioner, hair masks, or similar products. A few tablespoons should suffice, but the exact amount will vary a little depending on the size of the bottle. Then simply use the product in the usual way to get the added benefits of rosemary water for hair every time you wash it.

Another method is to spray rosemary water directly onto your scalp, then gently massage it in for about a minute. Again, there’s no need to wash it out afterwards. This technique is doubly beneficial because massaging your scalp helps to boost circulation to the area, thus promoting hair growth. It may additionally work to increase the thickness of your locks by stretching the cells of your follicles.(4)

Whichever method you choose, remember that you shouldn’t expect to see results overnight. Using rosemary water for hair growth takes time, so it’s likely to be several months before you notice a significant difference. But don’t give up, because consistency is key. Plus, the improvement could be well worth the wait!

How often to use rosemary water for hair growth

There are no set rules about how often to use rosemary water for hair growth. However, as mentioned above, being consistent is important. Therefore, we recommend using rosemary water for hair approximately two or three times a week for the best results.

The ideal frequency will also depend on how you’re using it. For example, two or three times a week is perfect if you’re mixing rosemary water into your shampoo. That’s because washing your hair every day can actually damage and dry it out. However, if you’re massaging it directly into your scalp, then you could make that part of your daily self-care routine.

Related reading

• All about herbal water
• Rose water for skin