[This article contains information on medicinal herbalism, read our Medical Disclaimer here.]
Minoxidil, the generic form of Rogaine, is the top hair growth treatment recommended by dermatologists (insider.com). But a 2015 study comparing Minoxidil against a topical application of rosemary found that the herb was equally effective at stimulating hair growth and increasing hair thickness.
In the randomized comparative trial, researchers tested the efficacy of rosemary for hair growth vs minoxidil at 2% concentration on androgenic alopecia. Androgenic alopecia, also known as male and female pattern baldness, is the most common cause of hair loss. The study involved 100 participants, where 50 were given the rosemary treatment and 50 the minoxidil treatment. The participants were evaluated at the beginning of the study, at the 3-month mark, and at the 6-month mark.
No significant difference was observed at the 3-month mark for either group, whereas significant hair growth was seen for both groups at the 6-month mark. Those using minoxidil reported an increase in scalp itching compared to the rosemary group.
This study demonstrated that the topical application of rosemary is an effective treatment for male and female pattern baldness. I recommend the use of rosemary for hair growth as the first line of defense, and if the desired results are not seen in 6 months, give Minoxidil a try. Rosemary has significantly fewer side effects than Minoxidil and costs less to use.
How You Can Use Rosemary to Grow Thicker, Longer Hair
Method #1: Rosemary decoction
Pros:
Easy to make and use.
Can use on clean or dirty hair (doesn't require you to wash it out).
Can be used daily.
Cons:
Shorter shelf life
Steps:
Boil a quart of water with ½ cup of dry or fresh rosemary. Take off the heat and let steep until the color is a dark golden shade. Steeping instead of simmering on low heat will protect the compounds from the rosemary.
Allow cooling before applying. Store in the fridge and replace after 3 days.
Pour into a spray bottle and apply to the scalp at night before bed, or in the shower after shampooing.
Method #2: Carrier oil with rosemary essential oil
Pros:
No waiting period to make the final product.
The fatty acids of the oil have added benefits for the scalp and hair.
Has a shelf life of 1 year.
Cons:
Oil must be washed out.
Essential oils do not contain vitamins and minerals from the herb.
Steps:
Pour carrier oil(s) into a sanitized jar.
Add 3 drops of rosemary essential oil for every 1 ounce of carrier oil.
Apply onto the scalp using a dropper, and massage in.
Leave it on for at least 20 minutes. To get the most out of the product, leave it on overnight.
Method #3: Rosemary-infused oil.
Pros:
Oil has added benefits for the scalp and hair.
An herbal infusion contains the vitamins and minerals within the herb.
Shelf life of 1 year
Cons:
Oil must be washed out.
Takes 6 weeks to make the final product.
Steps:
Only use dry herbs- fresh herbs contain water and that can create bacteria growth in the product.
Pour 1 cup of dry rosemary into a 16-ounce sanitized jar, and fill the jar with oil.
Store in a cool dry place and shake the jar twice a day for 6 weeks.
Once the infusion is finished, strain the herb using a cheesecloth.
Apply to the scalp, massage in, and leave for at least 20 minutes. To get the most out of the product, leave it on overnight.
Important: Do not apply an essential oil straight onto the scalp. Essential oils are very potent and must always be diluted with carrier oil when applied to the skin. The formula will not work more effectively with the highly concentrated form of essential oil applied undiluted.
Also, essential oils are oil soluble, and will not disperse evenly in water. So combining a rosemary essential oil with water to apply to the scalp is not the best practice. But, a rosemary extract made with glycerin or alcohol can be diluted in water and applied to the scalp.
Sincerely,
Emilee Wright
A Mercurial Consciousness