Does Rosemary Oil Help With Hair Growth?

Your hair changes over time. Many people experience slowed hair growth, hair thinning, or hair loss, especially as they get older. Hair changes can be triggered by many things, including medications, hair care products, stress, and illnesses.  

Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications can help treat hair loss. But they can also cause side effects and can be expensive. Many people are interested in natural remedies that can boost hair health. Rosemary oil is a popular natural alternative for hair growth. But does it really work? And how can you use it to get the best effects? 

Does rosemary oil help with hair growth? 

Rosemary oil comes from the plant Rosmarinus officinalis, which is known for its wonderful smell and its anti-inflammatory properties. Rosemary oil may also increase blood circulation to the scalp. In theory, the combination of increased blood delivery and lowered inflammation may help promote hair growth. 

But there’s not a lot of good evidence that rosemary oil helps with hair loss. 

In one small study, people with hair loss were treated with either rosemary oil or minoxidil (Rogaine). After 6 months, both groups had the same amount of new hair growth. And the group treated with rosemary oil reported less scalp itching, a common side effect of minoxidil treatment. 

This sounds promising. But it’s important to point out that this was a small study. So it’s impossible to say whether everyone who tried rosemary oil would see similar results. 

And everyone in the study had androgenic alopecia, also known as male and female pattern baldness. So it’s not clear if rosemary oil would work for other causes of hair loss or whether it would help prevent hair loss. 

Still, rosemary oil is inexpensive and causes few, if any side effects. So it may be worth trying if you’re looking for a natural way to promote hair growth. You can also use it alongside medications for hair growth. There’s no evidence that rosemary oil can help hair growth medications work better, but it might be worth trying. 

It’s also good to know that this study was done with rosemary oil. Products such as rosemary shampoo, conditioners, or sprays haven’t been studied. They come in a variety of different concentrations depending on the brand. So it’s not clear if these products have any effect on hair growth. 

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How do you use rosemary oil for hair growth?

Rosemary oil is easy to use for hair growth. Before applying rosemary oil, check to see if you need to dilute the oil. Some products can be added directly to the scalp. But pure rosemary oil needs to be diluted before use.

You can dilute rosemary oil with a carrier oil like coconut, almond, or jojoba oil. Mix 3 drops of rosemary oil with 1 tsp of carrier oil. Make more diluted oil if you need more to cover your entire scalp. 

Once you’ve diluted the rosemary oil, follow these steps:

1. Make sure your hair and scalp are dry.

2. Apply a few drops throughout your scalp.

3. Massage the oil into your scalp using your fingertips.

4. Allow the oil to sit for 5 to 10 minutes.

5. Rinse or shampoo hair.

Some people prefer not to rinse the rosemary oil off, and that’s OK, too. In fact, in one study participants who used a hair wrap after rosemary oil application had better results. The hair wrap may have helped the scalp absorb the oil. 

Can you use rosemary oil every day?

You may be able to use rosemary oil every day. And research suggests that rosemary oil works best when used daily. But you want to make sure you don’t have a reaction to your product first. It’s possible to have a reaction to the rosemary oil, carrier oils, or any additional ingredients in your product. 

Any one of these ingredients can cause scalp:

• Redness

• Irritation

• Itching

• Discomfort 

These are signs of scalp inflammation, which can affect hair growth. Scalp inflammation has been linked to hair loss, too. People have reported these symptoms when using rosemary oil hair products, like the Mielle rosemary oil controversy. 

So it’s best to try rosemary oil on a small part of your scalp first to make sure you don’t have a reaction to it. Apply the oil for 3 days and then stop using it. If you don’t notice any side effects within a week, you can start using it on a regular basis. 

But keep in mind, it’s possible to develop a sensitivity to rosemary oil or another ingredient in your product over time. Stop using rosemary oil if you notice any new scalp irritation or redness. 

What should you look for in a rosemary oil product?

Undiluted rosemary oil can be found at grocery stores and retail pharmacies as well as wellness and beauty stores. These stores may also have carrier oils like coconut oil or almond oil. 

Many stores also sell diluted rosemary oil that’s ready for direct use. Online retailers also sell rosemary oil products that you can apply directly to your scalp and don’t need to be diluted.

Look for products that don’t have added fragrances or dyes. Fragrances and dyes can irritate the scalp. 

There are no studies evaluating rosemary oil concentrations for hair growth. It’s not clear what concentration people should use to get the best results. 

Will you lose hair if you stop using rosemary oil?

You shouldn’t see immediate hair loss or increased hair shedding if you stop using rosemary oil. But over time, you’ll notice hair thinning and less hair growth. 

That’s because the rosemary oil is no longer promoting extra hair growth. This is the same reaction you would see if you stopped using any hair growth products, like minoxidil (Rogaine) or finasteride (Propecia).

What are the side effects of rosemary oil for hair growth?

Rosemary oil can cause side effects, including:

• Scalp irritation

• Scalp redness

• Temporary scalp burning

You shouldn’t use rosemary oil if you’re pregnant or nursing. Ingesting rosemary oil can cause contractions, and it’s not clear if using rosemary oil topically can have similar effects. Experts recommend avoiding rosemary oil products if you’re pregnant or nursing until more information is available. 

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Written by:

Jonathan Santana, DO

Jonathan Santana, DO, is a board-certified and fellowship-trained pediatrician, with board certification in primary-care sports medicine. He has been in academic practice for 8 years as an assistant professor in orthopedics.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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