Rosemary Water: Hair Growth Alternative or Trendy Speculation?
Medically reviewed by Karina Tolentino, RD
Rosemary, or Rosmarinus officinalis, is a plant that naturally offers anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial health benefits. Recently, it's been anecdotally floated on social media as a main ingredient in a tonic for hair growth known as "rosemary water." While it hasn't been studied scientifically for this purpose, there may be a connection between the rosemary water trend and existing evidence that the plant may help with scalp health and hair growth stimulation.
This article provides an overview on rosemary water and its claims to boost scalp and hair strand health.
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Reasons to Try Rosemary Water on Hair
The current hair hack floating around on social media claims that applying water steeped with rosemary plant leaves to your scalp and strands could come with texture and growth benefits. Here are some scientifically-backed reasons why you might consider trying out this trend.
Some studies have pointed to rosemary essential oil as a natural source for promoting hair growth. Experts theorize that the plant may work by encouraging blood flow to blood vessels in the scalp, reducing inflammation and creating an environment for growth.
For example, at least one study found that applying rosemary oil to the scalp was as effective in increasing hair strand count as using minoxidil (the main ingredient in the hair loss product Rogaine). Other research has also suggested that rosemary could be a promising natural remedy for hair growth in people with androgenetic alopecia, a common form of hair loss. And a separate study found that using rosemary water with
In addition, some participants in the minoxidil study who used rosemary oil were less likely to experience an itchy scalp compared to those who used the Rogaine ingredient. This might be reflective of rosemary's antifungal and antibacterial properties, which could allow it to help treat dryness, itchiness, and dandruff on the scalp.
Takeaway
Keep in mind that existing research has used scientific-grade essential oils for the studies, which is different from mixing up a concoction of rosemary leaves and water at home.
Medicinal Benefits of Rosemary
Rosemary has been used in traditional medicine to help with a variety of health ailments. Its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and other properties have been anecdotally known to help treat pain, inflammation, mood, anxiety, sleep, and other health issues.
Some potential benefits include:
Memory and concentration enhancement
Digestive aid
Cognitive function assistance
Circulation support
Rosemary also contains small amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, folate, calcium, iron, and magnesium, and manganese.
How to Make a Rosemary Water Blend for Your Hair
Rosemary water is created by steeping rosemary leaves into water, similar as you would a tea. The recipe that’s currently being touted across social media includes boiling water and adding rosemary leaves to it. This results in a liquid infused with the plant.
Some videos suggest around five cups of water to five buds of rosemary. Let the mixture boil for 15 minutes, reduce the heat, and let the concoction sit until the water appears to have a pink or red hue to it. From there, you can strain the water so that any rosemary twigs or particles can be removed. Pour it into a container that works from you—and you’ve got your rosemary water to try out.
When you go to actually apply the rosemary water, the techniques found on social media seem to vary a bit. Some users have suggested pouring the mixture over the roots and scalp, while others have found it handy to use a spray bottle and aim it at the scalp and strands as desired. It’s generally intended to be a last step rinse of sorts during your shower routine.
A tip when selecting rosemary to use in your hair experiment: ensure that you're selecting rosemary leaves from a reliable source, as the way that plants and herbs are harvested and processed can make a difference in their efficacy.
Experts warn that using an herbal medicine, botanical, or natural supplements can come with some potential risks. When it comes to using rosemary leaves for rosemary water, keep in mind that there are possibilities of drug interactions, product contamination, and more.
Side Effects: When to Use Rosemary Water With Caution
Rosemary is generally considered to be safe when used in moderation. While rare, large doses of the plant or its extract may be responsible for severe side effects, including:
Vomiting
Muscle spasms
Pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs)
Coma
Miscarriage
Rosemary may also interfere with certain medications, such as:
High blood pressure drugs
Blood-thinning medications
If you're pregnant, check with your healthcare provider before trying out rosemary water to be sure it's safe for you.
Takeaway
While rosemary essential oil is considered by some experts to be a solid choice for potentially treating some minor skin conditions like a dry scalp, it's still possible to experience an allergic reaction or irritation. Seek medical attention as soon as possible if you notice any discomfort, itchiness, or irritation in the area where the rosemary water was applied.
Other Ways to Stimulate Hair Regrowth
There are a variety of causes behind hair loss and thinning hair—and multiple different treatment options that can help.
Depending on the underlying reason for looking into hair growth stimulation, you might consider checking with a healthcare provider about the following potential tactics:
Minoxidil (Rogaine): An over-the-counter (OTC) hair loss treatment for pattern baldness
Prescription medications: Finasteride (Propecia) or spironolactone are oral drugs used for certain types of hair loss
Microneedling: An in-office procedure that involves a controlled injury with tiny microscopic needles to encourage hair growth on the scalp
Laser treatments: Applies light to the scalp to trigger hair regrowth
Hair transplant procedure: Moves hair follicles from one part of the body to the scalp for severe hair loss cases
Some other self-care steps you might take to help support overall hair health include:
A gentle hair care routine that includes using nourishing shampoo and condition and avoiding heated styling tools or tight hairstyles.
A healthful diet with plenty of key nutrients supportive of healthy hair, such as iron, zinc, biotin, niacin, fatty acids, selenium, vitamin D, and amino acids.
Stress reduction techniques like meditation, yoga, breathwork, acupuncture, and visualization to help prevent hair thinning, loss, and damage.
Summary
Rosemary water, a social media trend of steeping rosemary leaves in water, has an anecdotal narrative of boosting hair and scalp health. But this mixture may have some connection to scientific research behind the rosemary plant, which suggests that its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties might help boost scalp circulation and hair growth.
Always check with a healthcare provider before trying out any at-home remedies that aren't fully backed in scientific evidence, as rosemary may have the potential to interact with certain medications, cause irritation, or prompt side effects in some situations.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
