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Rosemary Oil for Hair Growth Recipe: A DIY Recipe Worth Making
The organic rosemary essential oil I use in this recipe. Pure, steam distilled, and certified organic makes all the difference.
This rosemary oil for hair growth recipe starts in my own garden, where rosemary grows back every year without asking for much.
It is one of the most generous plants I tend.
And it turns out it has been quietly holding one of the most potent natural hair growth tools available.
What I am sharing here is the recipe I actually make myself, with rosemary I grow and harvest, infused gently into coconut oil, boosted with organic rosemary essential oil, and finished with MSM powder for the sulfur your hair has been waiting for.
It is simple, made from real ingredients, and completely yours to make at home.
Why Rosemary Oil for Hair Growth
Rosemary is not just a kitchen herb.
It has genuine research behind it for hair growth that is worth knowing about.
A 2015 clinical trial published in the journal Skinmed compared rosemary essential oil directly to minoxidil, the most commonly used pharmaceutical hair growth product, in 100 participants with androgenic alopecia over six months.
The study explored whether rosemary essential oil could produce results comparable to conventional options, with researchers noting meaningful outcomes in the rosemary group.
With one meaningful difference.
The rosemary group experienced significantly less scalp itching than those using minoxidil.
A more recent double blind randomized clinical trial published in PMC found that rosemary oil significantly improved hair growth rate, thickness, density, and length while reducing hair fall by more than 40 percent compared to coconut oil alone over 90 days.
Rosemary supports hair growth in several ways.
It improves microcirculation to the scalp, helping follicles receive the oxygen and nutrients they need.
It contains compounds with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that support a healthy scalp environment.
And emerging research suggests it may influence DHT activity, the hormone associated with follicle miniaturization and thinning.
Research Note
A 2015 clinical trial published in Skinmed explored rosemary essential oil as a natural alternative to conventional options, with participants in the rosemary group reporting significantly less scalp irritation than the comparison group.
🌿 Rosemary Hair Growth Recipes
Choose your recipe below and follow along
Ingredients
- 1 cup organic virgin coconut oil
- Fresh rosemary, washed and chopped
- 10 to 15 drops organic rosemary essential oil
- ½ teaspoon MSM powder
- Dark glass jar for storage
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
Steps
- Wash and chop fresh rosemary sprigs. If making to use immediately you can use it straight away. If storing the oil for weeks, spread on a clean surface and air dry for 1 to 2 days first to remove moisture that could shorten shelf life.
- Place coconut oil in a small saucepan over the lowest possible heat. Add rosemary pieces and stir to submerge fully in the oil.
- Simmer gently for 20 to 30 minutes. Keep the temperature between 50 and 71 degrees Celsius. The oil will turn a beautiful green as the compounds transfer. Do not let it boil.
- Remove from heat. While still warm add 10 to 15 drops of organic rosemary essential oil and stir gently to incorporate.
- Add half a teaspoon of MSM powder while the oil is still warm. Stir until fully dissolved.
- Allow to cool fully then strain through cheesecloth into a dark glass jar. Store in a cool dark place for up to 3 to 6 months.
Application tip: Section the hair and apply directly to the scalp, not the hair. Massage for 5 to 10 minutes. Leave on for 30 to 60 minutes or overnight in a protective style. Wash out with a gentle sulfate free shampoo.
Ingredients
- 1 cup distilled water
- 10 to 15 drops organic rosemary essential oil
- ½ teaspoon MSM powder
- Small glass spray bottle
Steps
- Warm the distilled water slightly so the MSM powder can dissolve fully. Do not boil, just warm enough to help the powder incorporate.
- Add the MSM powder and stir until the water is completely clear with no visible powder remaining.
- Allow the water to cool completely before adding the essential oil.
- Add 10 to 15 drops of organic rosemary essential oil. Shake well to combine.
- Transfer to a clean glass spray bottle. Shake before each use as the essential oil will naturally separate from the water.
Application tip: Part the hair in sections and spray directly onto the scalp. Massage gently with fingertips. Use every few days between wash days. Use within 2 weeks as there are no preservatives in this formula. Distilled water is important as tap water can interfere with the essential oil.
For educational purposes only. This does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner for personal health concerns. Individual results vary.
What You Need for This Rosemary Oil for Hair Growth Recipe
Fresh rosemary or organic dried rosemary if fresh is not available.
One cup of organic virgin coconut oil.
Organic rosemary essential oil.
MSM powder, starting with half a teaspoon.
A small saucepan or double boiler.
A fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth.
A dark glass jar for storage.
An old towel to place on the floor while you apply.
A Note on Using Fresh RosemaryÂ
If you are growing your own rosemary or getting it fresh from the store, there is one important step before you begin.
If you are making this to use immediately, as many people do, you can skip the air drying step entirely.
The moisture concern only applies if you are storing the oil for weeks or months.
Making a fresh batch to use that same day or within a day or two is a perfectly practical approach and means you get the most vibrant compounds from your freshly harvested rosemary.
Fresh rosemary contains moisture that can cause the infused oil to go rancid more quickly than you want.
After washing and chopping your fresh rosemary sprigs, spread them on a clean dry surface and allow them to air dry for one to two full days before infusing.
This preserves everything you want from the plant while removing the moisture that would shorten the shelf life of your oil.
The result will be a more potent and longer lasting rosemary oil for hair growth recipe.
The Rosemary Oil for Hair Growth Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Rosemary
Wash your fresh rosemary sprigs and pat them dry.
Chop into smaller pieces to increase the surface area and help the oil extract more of the active compounds.
Spread on a clean surface and allow to air dry for one to two days if storing long term or you can skip this if you are using it in the next day or two.
Step 2: Gently Infuse the Oil
Place your coconut oil in a small saucepan over the lowest possible heat.
Add your rosemary pieces and stir gently to submerge them fully in the oil.
Allow to simmer very gently for 20 to 30 minutes.
You are looking for a gentle warmth, not a boil.
If you have a thermometer the oil should stay between 50 and 71 degrees Celsius, around 120 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
As the compounds transfer into the oil you will notice it beginning to take on a beautiful green tint.
That is exactly what you want.
Do not allow it to boil.
Boiling degrades the active compounds in rosemary and defeats the purpose of the whole process.
Step 3: Add the Rosemary Essential Oil
Remove the pan from heat and allow the oil to cool slightly but remain warm.
While still warm add 10 to 15 drops of organic rosemary essential oil per cup of oil.
Stir gently to incorporate.
Adding the essential oil while the infused oil is still warm helps it blend thoroughly and boosts the overall potency of your rosemary oil for hair growth recipe.
The 2015 Skinmed clinical trial used rosemary essential oil specifically, so this step is backed by the same research that showed it comparable to minoxidil.
Step 4: Add MSM Powder
While the oil is still warm but not hot, add half a teaspoon of MSM powder.
Stir well until fully incorporated.
MSM is an organic sulfur compound.
Sulfur is a structural component of keratin, the protein your hair is primarily made of.
Sulfur forms the disulfide bonds that give hair its strength and structure.
Without adequate sulfur those bonds weaken and hair becomes brittle, slow growing, and prone to breakage.
Adding MSM to the warm oil while it can still dissolve ensures even distribution throughout your treatment.
Start with half a teaspoon.
MSM can be drying at higher concentrations applied topically so less is more until you understand how your scalp responds.
Step 5: Strain and Store
Once fully cooled, strain the oil through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean dark glass jar.
Discard the rosemary pieces.
Seal the jar and store in a cool dark place.
Use within three to six months for best potency.
How to Apply Your Rosemary Oil for Hair Growth Recipe
Lay an old towel on the floor where you plan to work so you do not make a mess.
Part your hair down the center from front to back.
Using a dropper or your fingertips, focus the oil directly on the scalp along each part line, where the follicles actually live.
Create a new section about one inch to the side of your first part and apply again along that line.
Many people find that working across the scalp in deliberate sections ensures every follicle gets consistent contact with the treatment, rather than applying haphazardly to the hair itself.
The scalp is where the follicles live.
That is where the rosemary needs to go.
Once all sections are covered, use your fingertips to massage the scalp in small circular motions for five to ten minutes.
The massage matters as much as the oil.
Research has shown that scalp massage alone produces measurable improvements in hair thickness through the mechanical stimulation of follicles and improvement of local circulation.
Leave on for 30 minutes to one hour.
For a deeper overnight treatment, apply in the evening and put your hair up in a protective style like loose braids.
Place an old towel on your pillowcase to protect it.
The following morning, washing out with a gentle sulfate free shampoo completes the treatment beautifully.
Application Tip
The sectioning method matters. Most people apply oil haphazardly and miss large areas of the scalp. Working in deliberate sections ensures every follicle gets consistent contact with the treatment.
Bonus Recipe: Rosemary and MSM Hair Spritzer
This is the lighter daily companion to the rosemary oil for hair growth recipe.
Where the infused oil is a weekly deep treatment, the spritzer is something you can use between wash days to keep the scalp environment nourished and the rosemary working consistently.
What You Need
One cup of distilled water.
Ten to fifteen drops of organic rosemary essential oil.
Half a teaspoon of MSM powder.
A small glass spray bottle.
How to Make It
Warm the distilled water slightly so the MSM powder can dissolve fully.
Do not boil, just warm enough to help the powder incorporate.
Add the MSM powder and stir until the water is completely clear.
Allow to cool completely.
Add the rosemary essential oil and shake well to combine.
Transfer to your glass spray bottle.
Shake before each use as the essential oil will naturally separate from the water between applications.
How to Use It
Part the hair in sections just as you would for the oil treatment.
Spray directly onto the scalp along each part line.
Massage gently with your fingertips for a minute or two.
Use every few days between wash days.
Store in a cool dark place and use within two weeks since there are no preservatives in this formula.
Distilled water is important here because tap water contains minerals and chlorine that can interfere with the rosemary essential oil and potentially irritate the scalp.
Hair Growth Starts From the Inside
A good rosemary oil for hair growth recipe applied topically is a meaningful tool.
But hair growth is deeply connected to what is happening inside the body and this is a piece that most hair growth content completely skips over.
Minoxidil, the pharmaceutical product that rosemary has been compared to in clinical research, works in part by opening potassium channels in hair follicles.
We are not recommending minoxidil.
It comes with documented side effects and is a synthetic intervention.
But the potassium channel mechanism points to something you can support naturally.
Potassium rich foods and adequate electrolyte balance support the cellular environment of the hair follicle.
Foods particularly rich in potassium include coconut water, bananas, yellow squash, avocado, lentils, and leafy greens.
Staying well hydrated with mineral rich water or natural electrolyte drinks also supports the internal environment in which hair growth occurs.
The thyroid is another critical piece.
When thyroid function is suboptimal the body conserves energy and pulls resources from non-essential functions first.
Hair is not a vital organ and it is one of the first places the body reduces investment when resources are scarce.
Exploring the connection between thyroid vitality, stress, and hair resilience is a meaningful part of understanding why some people see better results than others when using a rosemary oil for hair growth recipe consistently.
Why Coconut Oil Is More Than Just a Carrier
Coconut oil is not simply a neutral base in this rosemary oil for hair growth recipe.
It brings its own meaningful contribution to the treatment.
Coconut oil is one of the few oils that can penetrate the hair shaft rather than simply coat it.
This penetration reduces protein loss from the hair fiber and minimizes breakage from within.
It has antimicrobial properties that support a healthy scalp environment.
It is rich in lauric acid which has a documented high affinity for hair proteins.
And it is heat stable, meaning it holds up well during the gentle infusion process without oxidizing or degrading the active compounds you are trying to extract.
FAQ Rosemary Oil For Hair Growth Recipe
What is the best rosemary oil for hair growth recipe?
A simple and effective rosemary oil for hair growth recipe combines fresh or dried rosemary infused in coconut oil over low heat for 20 to 30 minutes, strained and finished with organic rosemary essential oil and MSM powder. The key is gentle heat, quality ingredients, and consistent use over several weeks to notice results.
Can I use fresh rosemary from my garden to make hair oil?
Yes. Fresh rosemary from the garden works beautifully in a rosemary oil for hair growth recipe. If making to use immediately you can use it straight away without any drying time. If storing the oil for weeks, spreading the rosemary on a clean surface to air dry for one to two days first removes excess moisture that could shorten shelf life.
How long do I leave rosemary oil on my hair?
Many people leave the oil on for 30 minutes to one hour as a standard treatment. For a deeper experience, applying in the evening and leaving overnight with hair in a protective style before washing out the next morning is a popular approach in the natural hair community.
What does MSM do in a hair oil recipe?
MSM is an organic sulfur compound. Sulfur forms the disulfide bonds in keratin, the primary protein hair is made of. Adding MSM to a rosemary oil recipe supports the structural foundation of the hair shaft. Starting with half a teaspoon is recommended as MSM can be drying at higher concentrations applied topically.
How often should I use rosemary oil for hair growth recipe?
Most research and community experience suggests two to three times per week for consistent results. The daily rosemary and MSM spritzer can be used between oil treatment days to maintain scalp nourishment without heaviness.
Can I add rosemary essential oil to already infused rosemary oil?
Yes and it is actually recommended. The infused oil extracts compounds from the plant during the simmering process. The essential oil adds a concentrated dose of the volatile compounds most associated with scalp circulation and follicle support. Together they produce a more complete treatment than either alone.
How long does homemade rosemary hair oil last?
Stored in a dark glass jar in a cool dry place, homemade rosemary infused coconut oil lasts three to six months. Adding a few drops of vitamin E oil can extend shelf life slightly by acting as a natural antioxidant.
Does rosemary oil work for all hair types?
Rosemary oil is generally well tolerated across hair types and textures. Those with fine hair may want to apply sparingly to avoid weighing hair down. Those with dry or thick hair may benefit from more generous application. Always do a small patch test before full scalp application if you have a sensitive scalp.
If you enjoyed this article on the best rosemary oil for hair growth recipe, you might enjoy our article on the best non-toxic dry shampoo we have found here.
Research and Sources
Panahi Y, et al. Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial. Skinmed. 2015.
Rosmagain double blind randomized clinical trial. PMC. 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12256010/
Cleveland Clinic. How To Use Rosemary Oil for Hair Growth. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/rosemary-oil-for-hair
Healthline. Rosemary Oil for Hair: Growth, Uses, and Benefits. https://www.healthline.com/health/rosemary-oil-for-hair
Greenway Biotech. DIY Rosemary and MSM Powder Spray to Boost Hair Growth. https://www.greenwaybiotech.com/blogs/instructions-recipes/boost-your-hair-growth-with-diy-rosemary-and-msm-powder-spray
About Author
If something here resonated with you, I invite you to learn more about the philosophy and clinical training behind this work. Visit the About page to understand where this knowledge comes from and why it is different from anything else you will find online.POPULAR POSTS