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How to Make Homemade Rosemary Water for Hair Growth

Unlock the secrets to luscious, vibrant hair with our homemade rosemary water recipe. A few sprigs of fresh rosemary and some water is all you need to say goodbye to bad hair days and hello to natural shine and growth – it’s the DIY hair hack your locks have been craving!

a small glass spray bottle filled with a golden liquid, aka homemade rosemary water.

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Rosemary Water for Hair Growth

Hey there! So, have you ever heard of rosemary water? It might sound like something you’d use in the kitchen, but guess what? It’s actually a fantastic little secret for giving your hair some extra love.

Imagine treating your hair and scalp to a spa day with just a simple, natural ingredient that promotes healthy hair growth – that’s basically what rosemary water is all about. Now, I’m not saying rosemary water is a magical potion that will instantly transform your hair into Rapunzel’s, but it’s got some science-backed perks that make it worth considering.

Think of it as a gentle nudge for your hair to look and feel its best. From potentially boosting hair growth and reducing pesky dandruff to giving your locks a natural shine – rosemary water seems to have a lot going for it.

So, if you’re curious about trying out this herbal goodness and giving your hair a little extra TLC, stick around. I’ll spill the tea (or should I say, the rosemary water?) on what it is, how you can make your own rosemary water which saves you money, and why your hair might just thank you for it.

Get ready to give your hair care routine a herbal twist with this natural remedy! 

Rosemary water, a golden liquid, in a small spray bottle and next to it in a larger squeeze bottle. Sitting on a little basket with fresh sprigs of rosemary on the side.

What is Rosemary Water?

Rosemary water is a natural hair and scalp treatment made by infusing rosemary leaves or sprigs into water. This herbal concoction is renowned for its potential benefits in promoting hair health.

The rosemary plant, with its fragrant, needle-like leaves, is rich in compounds like ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid, and caffeic acid, which are believed to stimulate hair follicles, improve blood circulation to the scalp, and nourish the hair.

When used as a rinse or leave-in treatment, rosemary water can potentially help with issues like hair growth, dandruff, and overall hair vitality. It’s essentially a spa day for your hair, all in the comfort of your own home! 

The back of someones head, showing long shiny red hair.

Benefits of Rosemary Water

Rosemary water has been used for centuries for its potential benefits for hair and scalp health. While scientific research on the effects of rosemary water specifically is somewhat limited, it’s believed to offer several potential benefits:

1. Boost Hair Growth: Rosemary contains compounds like ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid, and caffeic acid that are thought to promote hair growth by increasing blood circulation to the scalp and stimulating hair follicles.

2. Reduced Hair Thinning and Hair Loss: The potential hair growth-promoting properties of rosemary water may help reduce hair thinning and hair loss, especially when these issues are related to poor circulation or weak hair follicles.

3. Reduce Dandruff and Scalp Irritation: Rosemary has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that might help alleviate scalp issues such as dry scalp, dandruff, itchy scalp, and inflammation. It can potentially reduce the growth of microbes that contribute to these problems.

4. Stronger Hair: The antioxidants found in rosemary water could help protect hair from oxidative stress and damage, which might result in stronger and healthier hair strands.

5. Improved Scalp Health: If you want a healthy scalp then you need to take care of it just like any other part of your body but often the scalp gets ignored.  If you ignore it you can end up with clogged hair follicles, seborrheic dermatitis, oily scalp, dry hair which leads to hair breakage, hair thinning, hair loss and more.

Applying rosemary water to the scalp might help balance oil production, which could be beneficial for individuals with oily scalps. It might also improve overall scalp health by reducing the buildup of excess sebum and product residue.

6. Natural Shine and Luster: Regular use of rosemary water can turn dull hair into shiny hair making it look healthier and more vibrant.

7. Aromatherapy Benefits: In addition to its potential effects on hair and scalp health, rosemary water offers aromatherapy benefits due to its pleasant herbal scent. This can have a soothing and invigorating effect on your mood. It can also make you hungry. Haha! Rosemary chicken anyone?

I don’t know about you but I can use a lot of these rosemary water benefits and I bet you can too. So Let’s learn how to make and use the stuff so we can all start enjoying healthier hair today.

Some fresh rosemary sprigs and some dried rosemary laying on a small wooded heart shaped plate

How to Make Rosemary Water

Making rosemary water at home is a relatively simple process. If you can boil water then you can you can make your own rosemary water hair rinse. Here’s a basic method you can follow:

Ingredients:

  • Fresh rosemary sprigs or dried rosemary leaves
  • Water

You want a 1 to 1 ratio for your rosemary water. I cup of water to one sprig of rosemary. You can decide how much to make based on how you use the rosemary water.

I find one cup to be enough but I have pretty thin hair. If you have thick, long hair you might need to make two or even three cups.

While most homemade products require distilled water, tap water is okay to use when making your rosemary water rinse because you’ll be boiling the water before adding the rosemary twigs. Boil water for at least a minute to get rid of any impurities. Of course you can use distilled water if you’d like.

You’ll also need:

  • a small pot
  • a container to hold your DIY Rosemary Water. I use a small glass spray bottle and a simple squeeze bottle. The spray bottle is for spritzing my hair and scalp at night and the squeeze bottle is for the rest of the water and is used as a rinse.

*Just a quick note, I used a small white pot, lovingly referred to as the top ramen pot in our home, to make my rosemary water it left a slightly yellowish ring on the pan. So be aware that the rosemary can dye the pot you use.

Instructions:

1. Gather Rosemary: I like to use fresh, organic rosemary. Grab the amount of springs you need, again 1 sprig per cup of water. If using dried rosemary leaves, about 2 tablespoons should be sufficient for one cup of water.

2. Boil Water: In a pot, bring your cups of water to a boil.

3. Add Rosemary: Once the water is boiling, add the rosemary sprigs or dried rosemary leaves to the pot. Turn off the heat.

4. Steep the Rosemary: Cover the pot with a lid and let the rosemary steep in the hot water for at least 20 to 30 minutes. This allows the beneficial compounds in the rosemary to infuse into the water. Personally, I let the springs sit in the water until the water has cooled.

5. Strain: After steeping, use a fine mesh strainer or a piece of cheesecloth to strain out the rosemary leaves. This will leave you with the rosemary-infused water.

6. Cool: Allow the rosemary water to cool to room temperature before using it on your scalp and hair.

7. Storage: You can store the rosemary water in a clean container, such as a glass bottle or jar, with a lid or a spray bottle depending on your delivery method. Keep it refrigerated if you’re not using it immediately. Rosemary water can stay fresh for a few weeks when refrigerated, so consider making small batches as needed.

How to Use Rosemary Water for Best Results

There are a couple of ways you can use homemade rosemary water. Remember that individual sensitivities can vary, so it’s a good idea to do a patch test before applying rosemary water to your entire scalp and hair, especially if you’re trying it for the first time.

Rosemary Hair Rinse – After shampooing and conditioning your hair, you can use rosemary water as a final rinse. Pour the rosemary water over your scalp and hair, gently massaging it into your scalp. Don’t rinse it out.

Rosemary Water Spray –  You can also use rosemary water as a leave-in treatment. Pour your rosemary tea in a spray bottle. Spritz it on your scalp and hair along your hairline and then massage the DIY rosemary water into the roots of your hair. This will improve blood flow to your scalp. The beneficial properties of the rosemary and massage team up to improve blood circulation which helps promote hair health for all hair types.

I prefer to spray a small amount of rosemary water on as part of my evening routine, massage, and then go to bed. This will ensure I get the maximum benefit while I sleep.

Then I wake up and style my hair as usual.

The rosemary water doesn’t affect the look of my hair at all. In fact, it actually helps my hair stay oil free a little longer. I have greasy hair so getting an extra day of clean hair without a wash is a big bonus in my book.

Tips for using Rosemary Water

Like with most things, the frequency of using rosemary water really depends on your hair’s needs and how it responds. There’s no strict rulebook here, but let’s break it down:

Regular Use: To start off, you could aim for using rosemary water a couple of times a week. This allows your scalp to enjoy its benefits without going overboard. You know, a little “me time” for your hair. But consistency is key. Most people won’t see results until about 6 months in.

Experiment and Listen to Your Hair: Pay attention to how your hair reacts. Is it feeling extra bouncy and happy? Or maybe it’s saying, “Hey, I’m good with once a week, thanks.” Or does a rinse leave your hair feeling too heavy versus a spray in the evening make dull hair shine? Every head of hair is unique, so be ready to adjust your routine based on what feels right.

Sensitive Scalp vs. Hardened Veteran: If you have a sensitive scalp, you might want to go easy and start with less frequent use, like once a week. On the other hand, if your hair and scalp are pretty chill, you might be able to use it a bit more often.

Time for a Break: Just like we all need a break from time to time, your hair might appreciate a break from rosemary water too. You could alternate weeks or take a break every few weeks to keep things balanced.

Allergic Reactions: Some individuals may be sensitive or allergic to rosemary. Before using rosemary water on your scalp and hair, it’s a good idea to perform a patch test on a small area of skin to check for any adverse reactions.

Skin Irritation: In rare cases, rosemary water can cause skin irritation, particularly if it’s applied to broken or sensitive skin. If you experience redness, itching, or discomfort, discontinue use immediately.

Dryness: Rosemary has astringent properties, which means it can help control excess oil on the scalp. However, if used too frequently or in high concentrations, it may lead to dryness or over-drying of the scalp and hair.

Lightening of Hair: Some people have reported that prolonged and frequent use of rosemary water can lead to a gradual lightening of hair color. This effect may be more noticeable on individuals with lighter hair shades. 

Darken Hair: On the other hand women with grey hairs might notice their hair getting darker as the rosemary water dyes the hair over prolonged use.

Potential Combinations: Some people combine rosemary water with other beneficial ingredients like aloe vera gel, tea tree oil, or apple cider vinegar for added benefits.


The key to healthy hair is consistency without going overboard. It’s all about finding that sweet spot where your hair feels its best. And hey, don’t forget that a little self-care goes a long way – whether it’s rosemary-infused or not! 

Pinterest pin for how to make rosemary water with rosemary in water in a pan for the top photo and the finished rosemary water in a small spray bottle for the bottom photo.

So there you have it, folks – the natural, aromatic secret to unlocking your hair’s full potential. With rosemary water, you’re not just nourishing your hair; you’re indulging in a centuries-old tradition of herbal self-care.

Making it at home is a breeze, and the potential benefits for your hair are worth the herbal infusion. Whether you’re aiming for hair growth, tackling dandruff, or simply giving your hair a little extra love, this natural remedy might just become your hair’s new best friend.

So go ahead, brew up some rosemary water magic and let your hair shine like never before! Basically rosemary water is the new rice water. 

Homemade Rosemary Water

Discover the secret to luscious locks with DIY Rosemary Water! Get your herbal game on and learn how to whip up this natural hair growth potion.
Prep Time0 minutes
Active Time5 minutes
Yield: 1 cup
Cost: $3

Equipment

  • 1 small pot
  • 1 container small spray bottle, squeeze bottle, or both

Materials

  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary can use 1-2 tbsp dried
  • 1 cup water

Instructions

  • Bring one cup of water to boil.
  • Add in your fresh sprig of rosemary.
  • Put the lid on the pot and turn off the heat.
  • Set the pan aside to cool for at least 20 minutes.
  • Strain the rosemary water and add it to the containers.
  • Spray regularly around the hairline on dry hair and message into scalp or use as a rinse after shampoo and conditioner.

Notes

Rosemary water should be kept in the fridge and will last about two weeks.
 

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