Hydrate with Flavor: Rosemary Water Recipe for a Healthy Twist

“Rosemary is the new rice water!” “Get shiny, long, and healthy hair with this homemade rosemary water hack.” “I have grown a few inches in my hair with only rosemary water.”

If you’ve been active on TikTok, you might have seen many videos with such captions. The rosemary hair rinse has become a new-big trend on the platform, with many influencers taking up the challenge and posting their results online.

According to them, spraying rosemary water on your scalp before and after shampooing can give you lustrous, smooth hair with a dramatic growth of a few inches. Sounds interesting, right?

But the question is: Is rosemary good for hair health, or is it just another failed TikTok trend to get some views?

Let’s find out everything about rosemary oil and water in this post!

Rosemary Water vs. Rosemary Oil 

Although derived from the same herb, rosemary water and oil differ in composition and use cases. 

The oil is extracted directly from the rosemary plant through distillation or steam and cold pressing, which is why it’s super concentrated. It is used in massage and aromatherapy due to its calming and energizing effects.

Meanwhile, rosemary water is made by boiling fresh leaves, like brewing tea. The resulting rosemary-infused water contains flavonoids and antioxidants, which benefit your skin, hair, and overall health. You can use it as a natural toner, mist, or hair spray, or drink it as a herbal tea — the choice is yours!

If you’re looking for an effective hair-growth remedy, rosemary water, and oil will work wonders. However, it will depend on the scalp and hair type. For instance, if your hair is oily, go for rosemary water, as it won’t make your scalp greasier. Contrastingly, rosemary oil is suitable for dry scalps. 

Does Rosemary Water Improve Hair Health?

Before we get into the practical work, it’s important to learn what science says about the effectiveness of cooking rosemary leaves in water for hair growth. Here is everything we know about this herb till today:

Rosemary May Cause Faster Hair Growth

Many studies have found that rosemary in any form can treat baldness and hair loss in humans. It can even boost hair growth in those with certain autoimmune disorders. 

A 2015 trial found that rosemary essential oil gives the same effects as 2% minoxidil in treating hair loss within six months. Another study found that rosemary leaf extract can promote hair growth in people with androgenetic alopecia — an autoimmune disorder resulting in hair loss.

It’s worth noting that both studies included rosemary essential oil, which is way more concentrated than homemade rosemary water. However, if you have an organic, quality rosemary herb, the water, and the oil can work the same for your hair.

Yet, more research is required to confirm the benefits of rosemary water for hair growth. 

Rosemary Can Improve Hair and Scalp Health

A healthy scalp is the foundation for lustrous, shiny, and smooth hair locks. Many studies have found possible benefits of rosemary water for hair. 

The 2015 trial also found one difference between minoxidil and rosemary essential oil for hair. The former caused discomfort, itching, and irritation on the skin and itchy scalp, but rosemary didn’t. That’s because rosemary has exceptional antibacterial and antifungal properties, which improve many scalp-related issues like dandruff.

However, further research on rosemary water benefits for hair is needed to better understand the connection between both.

Rosemary Can Offer Hair Hydration

It’s hard to imagine this prickly, pine-like herb as hydrating, but rosemary can boost and maintain hydration in hair and skin. While it doesn’t naturally have moisturizing properties, it can acquire them when combined with carrier oils. 

Rosemary water is usually less concentrated, so it may not be ideal for dry hair. However, if you use rosemary oil, you can get an excellent scalp and hair moisturization. After all, that’s what people on TikTok are raving about!

Rosemary Can Give Your Hair the Perfect Shine

No research confirms the shiny effects of rosemary water on hair, but it does give a little glow after application, though the results are temporary. Comparatively, rosemary oil is ideal for hair strands achieving a longer-lasting lustrous sheen.

Whether you opt for rosemary water or essential oil, know that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate essential oils. So, consult a professional before using the herb.

DIY Rosemary Water Recipe: Step-by-Step

If you’re convinced enough to give rosemary water a try, it’s time to get on the actual groundwork. You can prepare the solution in two methods: using fresh, dry rosemary twigs and essential oil.

Method 1: Using Fresh Rosemary Twigs

Gather Items

First, rush to your home garden and pluck some fresh rosemary sprigs. Then, return to your kitchen and find the following items:

• A cooking pot
• A funnel
• Reusable spray bottle

Pour Water into the Pot

The next step is to add the right quantity of water to the pot. Fill the spray bottle with distilled water and pour it into the pot. Then, add about ¼ of water more to the bottle and dump it in the pot. It will yield a full bottle of rosemary water, even after some water evaporates. 

Add Rosemary Sprigs

Add 5 to 7 fresh rosemary twigs to the water and boil on medium flame. You will see the water changing color to a raspberry-like shade. At this point, pick the rosemary sprigs and take the pot off the flame. 

Strain the Rosemary Water Hair Rinse in the Spray Bottle

Once the rosemary water hair rinse is prepared, transfer it to the spray bottle using a funnel. That’s it; you can now use your rosemary water spray on your hair and skin!

Method 2: Using Rosemary Essential Oil

Get Rosemary Essential Oil

Preparing rosemary water via essential oil is quite easy and hassle-free. Rush to your nearest drugstore and buy one from a reputed brand.

Add the Essential Oil to a Spray Bottle

After reaching home, add a few drops of essential oil to the spray bottle.

Dilute the Solution

Finally, add water to the bottle to dilute the concentrated essential oil. Ensure to achieve 1 to 2% of dilution, meaning 6 to 12 drops of the essential oil for every fluid ounce of water. Give the bottle a nice mix, and you’re done!

This rosemary hair rinse moistens your dry scalp while reducing thinning hair side by side. You can store rosemary water in the fridge for up to two weeks.

The Right Way to Use Rosemary Hair Spray

Now that you have prepared rosemary water, it’s time to learn how to put your efforts into use. Rosemary water is good for your hair, skin, mood, and overall health.

Here is the right way to use your DIY rosemary water:

As a Hair Refresher

The best use case of rosemary water is to cool down your scalp after prolonged sun exposure. For that, you’d have to put the bottle in the fridge overnight to get that additional boost of coolness. Then, spray the solution all over your hair after returning home.

As a Rosemary Hair Rinse

While some people love to wet their hair follicles between washes, not everyone enjoys it. A rosemary hair rinse will be ideal if you’re one of those. When shampooing wet hair, apply rosemary water to your scalp and let it dry.

Since the solution is just water, it will neither make your hair greasy nor take longer to dry. 

Include It in Your Hair Care Routine

Whether you try a skincare or hair care remedy, you can’t achieve results without consistency. The same applies to using rosemary water for hair. So, include this magical toner in your routine and spray it on your sore scalp before sleeping.

Since you’re using the rosemary rinse regularly, spray only a little product on your hair instead of soaking your entire scalp. But ensure that the product is spread evenly on your hair, not in patches. 

Is It Possible to Prepare Rosemary Oil at Home?

If you don’t find rosemary water concentrated enough to yield the desired results, you can prepare rosemary oil at home. Here is what you will have to do:

Get a Quality Carrier Oil

First, go to your nearest drugstore and get quality carrier oil with the best fragrance. Of course, it depends on your preferences. Jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, and argan oil are essential oils that complement rosemary oil the best. But you’re free to choose any other type of essential oil. 

Add the Carrier Oil to a Bottle

Next, add the carrier oil to the bottle, filling up to ¾ of the total space. It’s better to opt for a dropper bottle for easy use.

Mix Rosemary Oil with the Carrier Oil

Finally, add a few drops of rosemary oil to the bottle. The best ratio is five drops of rosemary per ounce of carrier oil. This way, your prepared oil won’t be too concentrated but strong enough to give you the benefits of the herb. 

Give the bottle a good shake, and you’re good to go! You can now use this rosemary oil to massage your scalp before washing. Leave it overnight or overnight, and then remove the oil with a good shampoo wash. You can also mix rosemary water with your shampoo to say hello to smooth, silky, and shiny hair!

Some Other Benefits of Rosemary Water

Rosemary is packed with multiple valuable components, making it an all-in-one solution for overall excellent health. Here are some other ways you can use your prepared rosemary water for:

• It improved Gastric Health. Drinking rosemary water or herbal tea can stimulate the production of digestive enzymes, minimizing bloating, gas, and gastrointestinal discomfort. Rosemary tea has been a traditional remedy for upset stomachs and indigestion issues.
• Better Cellular Health. Rosemary is packed with multiple antioxidants, including flavonoids and rosmarinic acid. These chemicals fight against oxidative stress from free radicals, enhancing overall cellular health with minimal chronic disease risks. 
• It enhanced Mental Clarity. For decades, rosemary has been used in aromatherapy due to its mood-enhancing and soothing properties. The herb is also beneficial for stimulating memory and cognitive functions. Thus, you can use rosemary water after a tiring day to relieve stress. 

Before you feel overwhelmed by these benefits of rosemary water, know that they’re not proven scientifically. So, you don’t need to experience the same results from the rosemary water recipe as others. 

Conclusion

Rosemary is an ancient herb with multiple benefits for skin, hair, and overall human health. It’s a readily available herb you can grow in your home garden and make rosemary water anytime. 

Pluck a few twigs, boil them with water in the correct ratio, and you’re ready. You can also make rosemary water from the essential oil. Just dilute it with water and use the rosemary rinse on your scalp for smooth and healthy hair. 

However, if the spray causes skin irritation, stop its use and go to a professional dermatologist as soon as possible.