Rosemary: The Super Herb for Super Hair!
Treat Your Hair & Scalp With Rosemary!
Whether you are male or female, young or old, one thing we all want is a nice head of healthy hair. While the thickness and abundance of your hair is due in large part to genetics, diet, and a healthy lifestyle, there is one savory herb whose oil works wonders for your scalp and tresses. What is this mystery herb? Rosemary, of course!
Rosemary oil has been used for centuries in Spain, Italy, and France to stimulate hair growth and aide in scalp health. Distilled from the leaves of the rosemary plant, this fragrant oil has been purported to stimulate the scalp, eliminate dandruff, repel lice, nourish the hair shaft, and help hair grow longer and stronger.
Recent research has shown that rosemary oil can actually stimulate cell division and help blood vessels to dilate which leads to hair follicle stimulation and the increase of healthy hair growth and prevention of premature hair loss.
The fact that rosemary is also a powerful, botanical antibacterial, it helps to destroy bacteria that can accumulate and clog up your hair follicles and scalp surface. Even when using clarifying shampoos, the fact that our environment and water supply is often full of pollutants, and the styling products we use can contain gunk that is all too often hard to make budge…a scalp treatment with rosemary oil is your coif’s best friend!
While there are several great hair product options that contain rosemary extract or oil, some of the most effective ways to use this herb for your hair and scalp health is to go straight to the source and use rosemary in its purest form.
Rosemary is widely available in fresh, dry, tincture and oil form in any health food store, and all you need to do is decide what type of treatment works best for you.
If you happen to suffer from dry scalp, dandruff, or intermittent itching, then a rosemary oil massage would be the way to go. Find a bran of rosemary oil that you like and add 6-8 drops to a couple of spoonfuls of a carrier oil like olive, coconut, or jojoba. Massage into your scalp for a few minutes and leave in for 30 minutes to an hour (dependent on how much time you have) then wash and dry as usual. For a more intense treatment, you can leave the oil on overnight and wash it out in the morning.
If dry, dull, lifeless hair that grows slowly is your main concern, and you prefer to forego the oil route, you can make a simple hair rinse out of fresh or dried rosemary by boiling some in a pot of water, alternatively, if you are able to find a good brand of rosemary tea you can use that as well. After boiling the rosemary you can let it steep for half and hour and once it has cooled, use it as a post shower rinse making sure to massage it well into your hair and scalp. This will leave your hair soft, manageable, full of shine and with the added benefit of stimulating your scalp and hair growth.
For the guy or gal in a hurry, adding a few drops of rosemary essential oil to your favorite shampoo and conditioner is also a great option. You won’t get the intense treatment as the oil massage or hair rinse, but your hair and scalp will receive some of the powerful antibacterial and cell stimulating benefits of the oil while you are washing your hair.
Since rosemary and rosemary oil are 100% natural, you can use these treatments daily or weekly to really give your hair and scalp the boost that they need to feel great and grow optimally. Healthier, longer, stronger hair is just a little herb away!
