Rosemary Essential Oil Uses, Benefits for Hair, Skin & Properties

What are the uses, benefits and properties of rosemary essential oil? Rosemary is a very popular essential oil with, many health benefits including hair growth and pain reliever. In this article read more on rosemary essential oil uses, benefits for hair skin and its properties

Uses for Rosemary Essential Oil for Hair Growth/Loss & Scalp Problems

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Uses for Rosemary Essential Oil for Hair Growth/Loss & Scalp Problems
Rosemary Essential Oil Uses for Skin
Rosemary Essential Oil Benefits
Properties of Rosemary Essential oil
Essential Oils Information-Further Reading

Rosemary is an aromatic herb that belongs to the mint family, Lameaceae. It is native to the Mediterranean region. This evergreen plant has grayish green, needle-shaped leaves and produces small, pale blue flowers. Rosemary essential oil is extracted from the flowering tips of the plant through steam distillation. It is one of the most popular aromatherapy oils. It is a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a piercing woody balsamic aroma.

Rosemary-Essential-Oil-Uses-Benefits-for-Hair-Skin-Properties — Rosemary Oil & Plant

It is not clear how rosemary works to stimulate hair growth but application to the scalp is said to cause irritation and improve blood supply to the hair follicles. Here are effective ways on how you can use rosemary oil for healthy longer hair.

Daily shampooing- use 2 to 3 drops in every ounce of shampoo and conditioner
Daily massage- add 2 drops of rosemary to a carrier oil like jojoba oil.
Hot oil treatment twice a week

Is Rosemary Oil Good for Hair Loss or Growth?

Over the years more the health benefits of rosemary have become understood including the ability to stimulate hair growth. Rosemary oil and rosemary teas are widely used for hair care in shampoos and lotions. It stimulates hair follicles making hair grow longer and stronger.

Based on a belief that rosemary slows down premature hair loss and graying of hair, it has over time been used as a remedy for baldness and to curb early signs of male pattern baldness.

Rosemary Essential Oil for Hair Growth

Rosemary has been used for ages in hair care. Among the properties Rosemary oil has for hair care/ growth are tonic, restorative, stimulating, antiseptic and antimicrobial. It is widely used in the Mediterranean countries in rinsing and conditioning hair.

There are many beliefs on how rosemary works to stimulate hair growth. Ann Warwood in her book The complete Book of Essential oils and Aromatherapy says that Rosemary hastens cell division and dilates blood vessels stimulating hair follicles to produce new hair growth.

How to use rosemary oil to stimulate hair growth

To use rosemary oil in hair care, add rosemary oil to shampoos, hair conditioners, rinses, oils and lotions. Rosemary oil can be used in these mediums to wash and condition hair, or rubbed into the scalp on a regular basis to stimulate hair growth. Combine rosemary oil with other beneficial essential oils such as tea tree to treat other scalp problems, or replace with other hair-growth stimulants such as cypress, lemon, geranium or sage essential oils.

Note:

Do not use rosemary in pregnancy
Do not use rosemary if you suffer from epilepsy or high blood pressure
Always dilute rosemary into a carrier base like shampoo, conditioner or other oils before using

Rosemary Essential Oil for Hair Loss

Most of us desire long, healthy and thick hair. But sometimes hair loss comes uncalled for due to age, lifestyle, medical conditions and stress which lead to hair thinning and eventually loss. Hair loss is not just an issue for women. Most men in the late 30’s and even some in the late 20’s suffer from male pattern baldness. Rosemary has been proven effective in treating hair loss by stimulating growth.

Losing 50-100 strands of hair is said to be normal but if you are experiencing more than that you should seek ways to control and re-grow the hair loss. Rosemary is recommended as a treatment in holistic medicine because of the fact that it increases circulation of the scalp.

Rosemary-Oil-for-Hair-Loss — Hair Loss & Rosemary Oil

Treatment for hair loss using Rosemary

Mix together 4 and half teaspoons of jojoba oil in a small bowl with 6 drops of rosemary oil and 4 drops of cedar wood oil. Massage this into your scalp each night for two minutes every night and rinse the next morning.
Mix together 2 tablespoons of rosemary oil and one ounce of Grape seed oil. Massage this into dry hair each day and let stand for three minutes before bathing or showering.

Treat scalp problems– Using rosemary on a regular basis for massaging the scalp nourishes the scalp and removes dandruff helping to relieve dry and flaky scalp. It has been used in combination with tea tree oil and basil to treat scalp problems. Darken and strengthen hair– Rosemary and olive oil both have a way of darkening and strengthening hair using hot oil treatments.

Other Rosemary Essential Oil Uses for Hair

Other than health and skin benefits, Rosemary is known best for hair growth, re-growth and thickness. It is used with other carrier oils such as olive, almond and coconut oils for optimal results. Other hair benefits of rosemary include;

Darken and strengthen hair– Rosemary and olive oil both have a way of darkening and strengthening hair using hot oil treatments.

More Uses…

Treat dandruff + tea tree oil
As a conditioner to make hair soft and manageable
Thicken hair
Herbal shampoo

Rosemary Essential Oil Uses for Skin

The properties of rosemary oil make it very beneficial for skin and skin care. It contains a variety of nutrients, vitamins and anti oxidants making it very effective for all skin types. It is used as an ingredient in cleansers, face masks, toners, soaps and creams.

Rosemary has proven medicinal properties on skin as it has been used in managing skin conditions such as dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema. Its anti inflammatory properties are very helpful in healing burns by reducing swelling and puffiness.

By its regeneration properties, rosemary essential oil rehydrates and tones skin helping remove wrinkles and making skin taut and healthy. It replaces damaged tissue thus reducing the appearance of scars and blemishes.

With its disinfectant and antiseptic properties, rosemary has been used to treat acne and oily skin conditions.

It lightens dark spots and blemishes on the skin. Massage your face with rosemary oil if you are looking to improve on your skin complexion.

Rosemary has an anti aging property as it is rich in anti oxidants. It tightens loose skin making it firmer and elastic. It also increases cell growth to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Rosemary Essential Oil Benefits

What are the benefits of Rosemary oil? You already have the uses of rosemary oil for hair and skin. Keep on reading to learn more on the benefits of this oil.

Health Benefits of Rosemary Essential Oil

Age-related mental decline– Early evidence suggests that taking 750 mg of powdered rosemary leaves in tomato juice might improve memory speed in healthy, older adults. However, taking higher doses (150-6000 mg) seems to make memory worse. There is also early evidence that suggests rosemary aromatherapy can improve the quality but not the speed of memory. (webmd.com)

Stress relieving– evidence on the effects rosemary aromatherapy for anxiety and stress is unclear.

Other than for cooking purposes, the refreshing rich oil has loads of other great health benefits. Here are the health benefits of rosemary oil

Treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Boost the immune system
Sharpen the mind
Treatment of respiratory problems
As a pain reliever (rheumatism and arthritis)
Treat indigestion
Keep the liver healthy
Faster healing of wounds
As a diuretic
Dental health
Treating skin conditons

Caution: Rosemary should not be consumed orally as it can cause severe nausea and vomiting.

Properties of Rosemary Essential oil

What properties of rosemary essential make it useful and beneficial?

This crisp and clean-smelling oil is rich in healthy properties like benefitting phytonutrients, antioxidants and essential acids. It has been used since ancient times as a medicinal and culinary herb by the Greeks and Romans due to its therapeutic properties. It was most commonly used for healing and purification.

Other than for hair, rosemary is said to affect the immune system, respiratory system and nervous system. It is also said to have an effect on the memory and assists in learning. Here are properties of Rosemary you should expect from a quality brand of steam distilled rosemary oil.

Analgesic
Antibacterial
Anticancer
Anticatarrhal
Antifungal
Anti-infectious
Anti-inflammatory
Antioxidant
Expectorant

Remember – Rosemary oil may, at times, cause allergic reactions, so it should only be used if prescribed or after thorough consultation with your medical specialist. Since rosemary oil is volatile in nature, the oil has occasionally caused vomiting and spasms. Therefore, it should never be ingested. It is strongly suggested that rosemary essential oil should not be used by pregnant, breastfeeding, or nursing women. Excessive use of the oil may even lead to miscarriage or a disability in the fetus.

Essential Oils Information-Further Reading

Want more information on essential oils? Follow this links for more interesting further reading on oils