How to make rosemary oil for your hair
If you're looking for a natural and effective way to improve the health of your hair, you're in the right place. Rosemary oil has long been praised for its many benefits, including promoting hair growth, preventing dandruff and nourishing the scalp.
The best part? Anyone can do it! Making your own homemade rosemary oil for your hair is a simple and rewarding process that requires only a few ingredients and some basic kitchen tools.
In this guide, we'll take you through the step-by-step process of creating your very own rosemary oil, allowing you to harness the power of rosemary to achieve healthy, beautiful hair.
What are the benefits of rosemary oil?
Rosemary oil is a natural powerhouse when it comes to promoting hair growth and overall hair health. When used properly, it can work wonders for your hair.
Whether you're looking to stimulate hair growth, improve the health of your hair follicles or soothe an itchy scalp, rosemary oil can be a valuable addition to your hair care routine.
One of the main benefits of rosemary oil is its ability to stimulate hair growth. It contains compounds that increase blood circulation to the scalp, nourishing the hair follicles and encouraging new hair to grow.
It can also help to relieve an itchy scalp and reduce dandruff due to its antimicrobial properties. By massaging rosemary oil into your scalp, you can soothe any irritation and add essential hydration.
How to make rosemary oil for hair
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp of carrier oil (we used coconut oil)
- A dash of olive/castor/jojoba oil (optional, only required if your carrier oil solidifies)
- 1 sprig of rosemary
- Mint leaves (optional)
- 100-200 ml boiling water (depending on pan and bowl size)
Equipment
- A small boiling pan
- A medium-sized glass bowl
- Stirring spoon
- Sieve
- Container
- Jug
Step 1 – Pick the rosemary
To begin making rosemary oil for your hair, you'll need fresh rosemary. There are two ways to obtain it: picking it from your garden or purchasing it from a store, like a supermarket, local market or garden centre.
If you have rosemary plants in your garden, you're in luck. First, look for mature sprigs with sturdy stems and vibrant green leaves. The leaves should have a strong, pleasant aroma.
It's best to harvest in the morning when rosemary essential oils are at their peak. To pick the sprigs, use clean scissors or pruning shears.
Make a clean cut just above a set of leaves, near the base of the plant. Be mindful not to take too much from a single plant, as it needs leaves for growth.
Step 2 – Wash the rosemary
Now you have your rosemary, it’s time to wash it. This removes any dirt, debris or potential pesticides, ensuring that you have clean and safe ingredients for your DIY rosemary oil.
To wash the rosemary, start by holding the sprig under cool running water and gently rub the leaves with your fingers to remove any dirt or residue.
While washing, keep an eye out for any insects that might be hiding in the rosemary and remove them if found. If you're using store-bought rosemary, it may have already been pre-washed, but it's still a good idea to give it a quick rinse to be on the safe side.
Step 3 – Dry the rosemary
Once rinsed, gently pat dry the rosemary sprig using a clean towel or paper towels to remove any excess moisture without causing damage to the leaves.
As oil and water don’t mix, it’s important to ensure your leaves are completely dry before continuing.
Step 4 – Add 3 tablespoons (tbsp) of your carrier oil to a bowl
We used coconut oil as our carrier oil, but feel free to use a carrier oil of your choice, such as jojoba oil, olive oil or castor oil.
Measure 3 tablespoons (tbsp) of coconut oil and add it to your glass bowl. It's best to use pure, organic coconut oil.
Coconut oil is a popular choice as a carrier oil because it moisturises and conditions the hair. It can penetrate the hair shaft, providing deep hydration.
Additionally, coconut oil has antimicrobial properties that can help reduce scalp inflammation and create a healthier scalp environment.
Step 5 – Fill up your pan with water and bring to a boil
Next, boil the kettle and fill up your pan with water. The amount of water you’ll need depends on both the size of the pan and the bowl, but it will likely be around 100-200 ml of water.
Once you’ve filled up your pan, place your bowl on top to check whether the bottom of the bowl is touching the water.
If it isn’t, remove the bowl and bring the water to a boil. If the water is touching the bottom, empty some out to ensure there’s a gap between them.
Step 6 – Add rosemary leaves to the bowl
While waiting for your water to boil, start adding your rosemary leaves to the bowl containing your carrier oil by plucking them from the stem.
Use all of the leaves from the stem, discarding any that are browning. If you have any other herbs to hand, like mint, feel free to add some of those leaves to the mixture.
Step 7 – Place the bowl over the pan
Once the water is boiled, turn it down to a simmer and place the bowl on top of the pan. The steam and heat will gradually melt the carrier oil and fuse it together with the essential oils from the rosemary sprigs.
Step 8 – Add a dash of liquid oil to the mixture (optional, only needed if your carrier oil solidifies)
If you’re using a carrier oil that solidifies when cool, like coconut oil, it’s important to add a small amount of liquid oil (we used olive oil) to the mixture while it’s heating up.
This ensures that when the mixture cools, it remains in liquid form for you to use on your hair. Of course, if you opted for a carrier oil that remains in liquid form when cool, you can skip this step.
Step 9 – Leave on the pan for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally
Leave the bowl on the pan for 15 minutes, stirring the mixture occasionally. You want to make sure that the carrier oil has completely melted.
Ensure that the heat remains on a simmer as you don’t want the mixture to boil over!
Step 10 – Take off the pan and allow to cool
After 15 minutes, ensure that the mixture has melted and turn the heat off. Carefully lift the bowl from the pan and allow the mixture to cool.
The bowl will be very hot, so it’s important to use oven gloves or a towel to protect your hands. Leave the mixture standing for 20 minutes or until the bowl is cool to the touch.
Step 11 – Use a sieve to strain
It’s time to strain the mixture in order to separate the herb remnants from the oil. Grabbing a clean jug and sieve, pour the mixture from the bowl through the sieve and into the jug.
You may wish to use the curved side of a spoon to press down on the leaves to squeeze out any remaining liquid.
Step 12 – Pour the mixture into your container
Now that you have your strained mixture safely in the jug, it’s time to transfer it into your container.
We used a small container with a pipette to make it easier to apply the rosemary oil to the hair and scalp, but you can use whatever you have available, whether it’s a rinsed-out jar or water bottle.
Why buy when you can make a fresh batch of rosemary oil at home? All you’ll need is a few simple ingredients and an hour to spare, and there you have it! Keep the rosemary oil for yourself or give it to friends, it’s up to you!
