Key takeaways:
Rosemary oil is a natural treatment that may help promote hair growth if used daily.
Rosemary oil can cause mild side effects like scalp irritation, itching, and burning.
Check your product instructions before use. Some rosemary oils can be applied directly to your scalp, while others need to be added to a carrier oil first.
Your hair changes over time. Many people notice slower hair growth, thinning, or hair loss, especially as they get older.
Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications can help treat hair loss. But they can also cause side effects and can be expensive. Because of this, many people look for 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 may help with hair growth. It has anti-inflammatory properties and may also increase blood circulation to your scalp. In theory, the combination of increased blood delivery and lowered inflammation could help promote hair growth.
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But there’s not a lot of good evidence that rosemary oil actually 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. The group treated with rosemary oil reported less scalp itching, a common side effect of minoxidil treatment.
In another small study, participants used either rosemary-lavendar oil, rosemary-castor oil or coconut oil daily for 3 months. The participants who used the rosemary oil products had thicker, longer hair compared with the group that used coconut oil. They also had less hair shedding.
This sounds promising. But it’s important to point out that these were small studies. So, it’s impossible to say whether everyone who tried rosemary oil would see similar results.
Also, all participants had androgenic alopecia, also known as male or female pattern baldness. It’s not clear if rosemary oil would work for other causes of hair loss or help prevent hair loss.
Keep in mind, these studies were done using rosemary oil. Products like rosemary shampoos, conditioners, or sprays haven’t been studied. So it’s not clear whether these products have any effect on hair growth.
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How do you use rosemary oil for hair growth?
Rosemary oil is inexpensive and causes few, if any, side effects. It may be worth trying if you’re looking for a natural way to promote hair growth.
Rosemary oil is also easy to use for hair growth. Before applying it, check to see if you need to dilute the oil. Some products can be applied directly to your 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 your rosemary oil is diluted, follow these steps:
Make sure your hair and scalp are dry.
Apply a few drops throughout your scalp.
Massage the oil into your scalp using your fingertips.
Allow the oil to sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
Rinse or shampoo your hair.
Some people prefer not to rinse the rosemary oil off, and that’s OK. In one study, participants who used a hair wrap after applying rosemary oil had better results. The hair wrap may have helped the scalp absorb the oil.
How often should you use rosemary oil for hair growth??
You may be able to use rosemary oil every day. And research suggests it works best when used daily. But first, you want to make sure you don’t have a reaction to your product.
Rosemary oil, carrier oils, and any additional ingredients in your product can cause scalp inflammation. Scalp inflammation has been linked to hair loss. 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, then stop using it. If you don’t notice any side effects within a week, you can start using it on a regular basis.
Keep in mind, it’s possible to develop sensitivity over time. Stop using rosemary oil if you notice any new scalp irritation or redness.
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
These are signs of scalp inflammation. You should stop using your product if you develop these symptoms. Talk with your healthcare team before trying a new rosemary oil product. They can make sure you haven’t developed a sensitivity.
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.
What should you look for in a rosemary oil product?
Rosemary oil products aren’t regulated by the FDA. Choose a product from a reliable manufacturer that performs safety testing on their products.
You also want to look for products that are fragrance-free, dye-free, and have few additives. You can use undiluted or diluted rosemary oil for hair growth.
Most manufacturers include the concentration of rosemary oil on the label. But 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 may notice hair thinning and slower 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).
Frequently asked questions
Yes, rosemary oil can cause hair loss. Rosemary oil, carrier oils, and other additives can all trigger scalp inflammation. Scalp inflammation can worsen hair loss. People have reported scalp irritation and hair loss when using rosemary oil hair products, like the Mielle rosemary oil controversy.
It’s not clear how long it takes rosemary oil to stimulate hair growth. In the clinical trial reviewed above, participants didn’t see results after 3 months of daily use. But they did see improvements after using rosemary oil for 6 months.
Yes, you can put rosemary oil on damp hair. Towel your hair off first so it isn’t too wet, then massage the oil into your scalp to help it absorb.
Castor oil may help lower inflammation in your scalp, which may improve hair follicle health. But there are no clinical trials showing that it promotes hair growth. There’s some evidence that rosemary oil can promote hair growth.
Yes, rosemary oil can cause hair loss. Rosemary oil, carrier oils, and other additives can all trigger scalp inflammation. Scalp inflammation can worsen hair loss. People have reported scalp irritation and hair loss when using rosemary oil hair products, like the Mielle rosemary oil controversy.
It’s not clear how long it takes rosemary oil to stimulate hair growth. In the clinical trial reviewed above, participants didn’t see results after 3 months of daily use. But they did see improvements after using rosemary oil for 6 months.
Yes, you can put rosemary oil on damp hair. Towel your hair off first so it isn’t too wet, then massage the oil into your scalp to help it absorb.
Castor oil may help lower inflammation in your scalp, which may improve hair follicle health. But there are no clinical trials showing that it promotes hair growth. There’s some evidence that rosemary oil can promote hair growth.
The bottom line
Rosemary oil is a popular essential oil for hair growth. There’s not a lot of evidence that rosemary oil can help with hair growth. But it’s inexpensive and causes few side effects, so it may be worth trying. Make sure to dilute pure rosemary oil with a carrier oil before applying it to your scalp.
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References
Andrade, J. M., et al. (2018). Rosmarinus officinalis L.: An update review of its phytochemistry and biological activity. Future Science OA.
Bassino, E., et al. (2020). Protective role of nutritional plants containing flavonoids in hair follicle disruption: A review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
Browley, J. (2024). The ongoing Mielle Organics controversy, explained. Allure.
Lanzerstorfer, P., et al. (2021). Acute, reproductive, and developmental toxicity of essential oils assessed with alternative in vitro and in vivo systems. Archives of Toxicology.
Al-Mamun, M.A., et al. (2016). Characterization and evaluation of antibacterial and antiproliferative activities of crude protein extracts isolated from the seed of Ricinus communis in Bangladesh. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Ozmen, I., et al. (2015). Efficacy of aromatherapy in the treatment of localized alopecia areata: A double-blind placebo controlled study. Gulhane Medical Journal.
Patel, M.N., et al. (2025). Rosmagain™ as a natural therapeutic for hair regrowth and scalp health: A double-blind, randomized, three-armed, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Cureus.
Panahi, Y., et al. (2015). Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial. Skinmed.
Ufomadu, P. (2023). Complementary and alternative supplements: A review of dermatologic effectiveness for androgenetic alopecia. Proceedings.
