Rosemary already makes the perfect partner for potatoes and gin… but what about for your hair? Yep, rosemary water for hair is a thing and we’re as curious as you are.
Just like rice water, the first use of rosemary water dates back centuries. And while we’re already sold on the idea of the smell, it’s the ingredient’s reputation for helping hair growth that’s seen its popularity soar.
We’re always up for anything that could help the strength and shine of our manes, so we did some digging to see what the fuss is about…
The benefits of rosemary water for hair
When you want to remember the benefits of rosemary, think of the letter A: antifungal, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. With the help of these properties, rosemary water can aid in:
Boosting hair growth
Skeptical about this one? So were we, but this natural remedy actually has the data to back it up. In studies using mice, rosemary leaf extract was found to inhibit hormonal changes that can lead to hair loss, helping to increase circulation to hair follicles. Comparisons have also been made between rosemary water and minoxidil, a common ingredient found in hair loss treatments.
Maintaining scalp health
By soothing inflammation, rosemary water can help relieve symptoms of a dry and itchy scalp. Its antibacterial properties also make it very effective at cleansing and rebalancing, a combination that can send dandruff packing.
Promoting shine
Hair that’s thinning or experiencing product build-up can present as dull and lacklustre. So by decreasing hair loss and naturally cleansing the hair, rosemary water can promote a shinier and healthier-looking mane.
How to make rosemary water
The best thing about using rosemary water for hair is that it’s easy to make your own at home. The most popular way to do so is to create a rinse that can be applied as the final step in your hair wash routine. And all you need is water and rosemary – simple!
- Place 5 x cups of water in a medium-sized pot
- Add 5 x sprigs of rosemary
- Bring to the boil for 15 minutes
- Turn the stove off and leave to steep for half an hour
- Strain into a bottle ready for use
Not into DIY? Here are some rosemary hair products to try…
Aveeno Fresh Greens Blend Shampoo
$16.50 (down to $8.25) at Woolworths
Read Aveeno Fresh Greens Blend Shampoo reviews
HASK Tea Tree Oil & Rosemary Hair & Scalp Treatment Mask
$4.99 at Priceline
Read HASK Tea Tree Oil & Rosemary Hair & Scalp Treatment Mask reviews
Weleda Revitalising Hair Tonic
$19.95 at Adore Beauty
Tried it? Leave a Weleda Revitalising Hair Tonic review
Main image credit: @chrisappleton1
Had you heard about rosemary water for hair? Is it something you’d try?
I had heard about rice water but never about rosemary, keen to know if dried rosemary will work same as the fresh sprigs as I have a jar full of dried rosemary in my kitchen cabinet which I would love to experiment with
Haven’t heard of it before.
Yeah, neither
Interesting. My hair is long but very fine. I wish I had double the hair I have.
The same here.
I hadn’t heard about it until today, definitely something I would try.
I’d love to try Rosemary shampoo or a hair mask.
My hair is really fine and lately I have been losing a lot of it .
I’ve never heard of it before but we have lots of Rosemary growing in the garden, it would’nt hurt to give it a try.
Never heard of using rosemary water for hair
Omg these products sound so beautiful – excited to try some – the Aveeno Fresh Greens Blends shampoo sounds amazing!
What lovely looking products. I’ll have a go at making some Rosemary Water too. We used to use it to darken and shine our hair when I was a teenager.
I’ve known about rosemary being good for circulation and scalp. Not bothered making these ‘special’ waters though. Did use in past shampoo and cond with rosemary and other plant extracts that are considered to be good for scalp.
Seems easy enough to DIY
I haven’t heard of this until now. I would like to give this a go. Sounds great.
Interesting read, I’m sure I’ve heard of the benefits of rosemary before. I have some growing in my garden so might have to give it a go!
I love the smell of rosemary, and rosemary water is so easy to make.
Rice water did nothing for my hair but I’m game to give this a try – we have a rosemary.
Never heard of this before and I have an abundance of rosemary in the garden…
I use it all the time
I get oil and just mix it in with my shampoo or mix it in with an oil like coconut or castor.
My hair looks so much better.
Castor plus rosemary is very good too.
I use it pre shampoo though not post like this video
Never heard of this before. Will have to look into this more. Anything for stronger hair.
I have Rosemary growing in my backyard. Hopefully the chicken’s will share it with me.
Will need to try that it sounds very interesting.
Interesting but I don’t particularly care for the scent of rosemary.
I hadn’t head of rosemary water before but I might give making my own a go.
I haven’t heard about rosemary water for hair before but like the sound of the Hask treatment mask as my scalp is sometimes dry. If it treats the scalp and promotes soft, shiny hair too – it definitely worth trying!
Found this very interesting reading about the rosemary water and will give it a try because my is fine and thin. Fingers crossed it will work for me. Thanks Beautyheaven for this write up.
I’ve heard of using rosemary essential oil for hair growth for years. Have been losing so much lately post stress. I just apply a few drops and massage into my scalp before shampooing out. Or you can just add a few drops to your shampoo
I’m definitely going to try this!
Love the smell of rosemary but can’t be bothered brewing the water so I use a couple of rosemary essential oil massaged into my scalp after washing my hair
Sounds easy enough to do, I’ll give it a go.
I’ve never heard it this before!
I’ll have to give this a go as I often have an itchy scalp or I might just try one of the products here
Good healthy looking hair, doesn’t matter how long or short
Damn, I had a whoel rosemary bush for years. Jut before the pandemice I pruned it and it died.
The hair tonic product looks really interesting, thanks
I haven’t heard of this before, unsure if I would ever try it. I am curious to know the results from someone that actually has tried it to see what the effects were like though
Sounds good thanks for the info
Never heard of this. Might have to buy some
I would definitely try this tonic. Rosemary is very good for memory too so imagine having the scent on your hair so your memory is sharp all the time.
I haven’t heard of this before! I know people use boiling rosemary at home for fragrance but never knew i can use the water after for my hair. Im totally going to give this a go
I have plenty of Rosemary so I must try -I have heard it a lot over the years and really easy to do
Very interesting, I had not heard about this before.
I have never heard this before. This is easy to make at home.
Rosemary might be worth a try. Aveeno product looks good. Anything Weleda is great quality.
Years ago, I used to buy a rosemary shampoo that I loved, but they stopped making it. The Weleda tonic sounds interestng.
Nothing I’ve tried has really make any difference to the shininess (or lack of it) for my hair.
Hmm, I wonder if it works. I havent heard of it before.
I havenr heard of this before, be interesting to try
I hadn’t heard of this before.
I’ve need trying thus lately to see if it makes a difference or I’d a just a hype