How to Make and Use Rosemary Water in Your Hair

Hoping to give your scalp an all-natural boost? Look no further than rosemary! It’s well-known for its anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties (which can reduce dandruff and increase shine), but recently, rosemary has also shown great promise in promoting hair growth. We’ll show you how to mix up a simple and effective batch of rosemary water, how to apply it to your scalp for hair growth, and fill you in on the other benefits rosemary provides your scalp.

Rosemary Water for Hair Recipe

Boil 2 cups (470 mL) of water on the stove.
Add 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary and let the mixture simmer for 15 minutes.
Remove the pot from heat and let it cool for 30 minutes.
Strain the water into a spray bottle or a mason jar.
Spritz the rosemary water into your hair and work it into your scalp 2-4 times a week to speed up hair growth and cut down on dandruff.

Section 1 of 5:

Making Rosemary Water

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1
Bring a large pot of distilled water to a boil. Pour 2 c (470 mL) of water into a pot, then place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to medium-high. Allow the water to come to a rolling boil.^{[1]
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- Use distilled water if it’s available—it’s free of any unwanted minerals that could end up in your hair. But regular tap water works just fine, too.
- Some people find that using rosemary water darkens their hair slightly. If you have very light-colored hair, consider using twice as much water to create a lighter, more diluted infusion.
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Simmer 3–4 rosemary sprigs for 15-20 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium. Place 3–4 whole, fresh sprigs of rosemary directly into the boiling water, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 15–20 minutes. After about 15 minutes, the water will take on a darker, amber hue. The longer you leave the sprigs in, the stronger your rosemary water will be.
- If you’re using dried rosemary: Add about 1.5 tsp (1.8 g) of dried rosemary to the boiling water. Fresh rosemary is easier to strain out of the water, but both fresh and dried work fine.
- To make a more potent infusion: Boil the rosemary for 5–10 minutes, then remove the pot from the heat and let the rosemary steep in the pot for up to 3 hours.
- Optional: Add a few sprigs of mint or 1 tsp (1 g) of cloves. Peppermint and rosemary smell great together, and mint may help encourage hair growth.^{[2]
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  Research source} Cloves smell great too, and they have antimicrobial effects that may promote scalp health.^{[3]
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Cool and strain the rosemary water into a spray bottle. Take the pot off the heat and let it cool for about 30 minutes. Then, strain the rosemary water into a spray bottle or airtight container and throw out or compost the leftover rosemary. Your rosemary water is ready to use!
- Keep your rosemary water fresh by storing it in the fridge. It should stay good for 1–2 weeks, but toss it sooner if it develops a sour or spoiled smell.^{[4]
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Section 2 of 5:

Using Rosemary Water for Your Hair

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Spritz rosemary water directly onto your scalp hair to promote hair growth. Part your hair down the center and spray the rosemary water directly onto your scalp. (Or, pour 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of the water onto your scalp, if you don’t have a spray bottle.) Then, use your finger to massage the rosemary water all across your head for 2-3 minutes, working your fingers in small circles.^{[5]
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- Pick a consistent time to apply the rosemary water so you don’t forget to do it. For instance, some people prefer spritzing the rosemary water onto their hair while it’s damp, while others prefer using it on dry hair.
- Before you apply the rosemary water to your scalp, do a patch test by dabbing a bit of the water onto your wrist. Wait 2 hours to see if you experience any skin irritation—if you do, don’t apply the rosemary water to your hair.
2
Spray rosemary water onto your hair as a refresher. Some people find that rosemary water helps their hair look shinier and more hydrated. Spritz a few sprays right onto your hair for a refreshing boost throughout the day.^{[6]
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- Experiment to see what works for you. If rosemary water weighs your hair down or makes it feel dry, you might only use it a few times a week. But if you feel like your hair responds well to it, you could use it more often—even daily.
3
Rinse your hair with rosemary water for a more subtle application. If the scent of rosemary water is a little strong for your preference, apply the rosemary water in the shower. After you cleanse your hair, spray or pour the rosemary water directly onto your scalp and massage it in with your fingers. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then rinse it out.^{[7]
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- Use the rosemary water before you shampoo or condition if you’d rather mask the smell.

Section 3 of 5:

How long should you leave rosemary water on your hair?

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Most people leave rosemary water on their hair without rinsing it. Rosemary water is fairly lightweight, and many people find it soothing on their scalp. It’s commonly used as a leave-in treatment, so you don’t usually have to wash it out of your hair.^{[8]
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- However, if you find that your scalp feels itchy, or if the rosemary water makes your hair feel weighed down, rinse it out about 10–15 minutes after applying it.^{[9]
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- Some people prefer applying the rosemary water to their hair before bed, then rinsing it out in the morning.

Section 4 of 5:

How often should you use rosemary water on your hair?

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Use your rosemary water 2-4 times a week. For best results, apply your rosemary water to your scalp at least twice a week. If you like, you can even use it every day. Whatever your schedule, stay consistent! Hair growth is a long process, even when using remedies like rosemary oil—it may take about 6 months to see results.
- To possibly enhance your results, consider using rosemary oil in addition to the rosemary water. Rosemary oil may have a greater concentration of rosemary, and may help moisturize your hair, improving your scalp’s health.^{[10]
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Section 5 of 5:

Benefits of Rosemary for Hair

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Rosemary may speed up hair growth. In a clinical study comparing rosemary oil to minoxidil (or Rogaine), researchers found that, after a period of 6 months, rosemary oil performed just as well as minoxidil to encourage hair growth.^{[11]
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Research source} Rosemary water contains the same compounds as rosemary oil (but in lower concentration), and so rosemary water may also be an effective hair growth agent.
- The hair-growth properties of rosemary are thanks to carsonic acid, which reduces inflammation, provides antioxidants, and rejuvenates damaged scalp tissues and nerves.^{[12]
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Rosemary may combat dandruff. According to clinical herbalist and clean beauty specialist Lorena Barcal, rosemary has anti-inflammatory properties.^{[13]
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Lorena Barcal
Clinical Herbalist & Clean Beauty Specialist

Expert Interview} This could potentially cut down on dandruff.^{[14]
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- What’s more, researchers have found that in a clinical trial, users of rosemary oil experienced less scalp itching than minoxidil (Rogaine) users.^{[15]
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  Research source} While rosemary water has a much lower concentration of rosemary oil, it may still help sooth itching that can lead to dandruff.
- Also, rosemary compounds absorb UV rays, meaning that applying rosemary water to your scalp can help prevent sun damage.^{[16]
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Rosemary may make your hair shinier. Rosemary is known to have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.^{[17]
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Research source} When applied to your hair, it may wash away unwanted microbes and provide valuable antioxidants, which in turn may help your hair look shinier and feel healthier.^{[18]
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- Also, rosemary may have anti-stress properties, which in turn may help to limit premature graying of hair.^{[19]
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Community Q&A

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Question

How long can I keep rosemary water outside?

Jenn Cornelia

Community Answer

It's best to store it in a refrigerator where it will last one to two weeks. Keeping your rosemary water outside will decrease its shelf life by a lot.

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