You know those mornings when you catch your reflection and think, okay, time to give my hair some care! Whether it’s dryness or that feeling that your scalp’s not happy, sometimes your hair lets you know it’s time for some love. That’s where my quick rosemary hair oil comes in.
There are other, more nuanced techniques that give you potent infused oil, which you definitely want to know how to make. However, this is the quick way to make an herbal-infused oil and an easy recipe that’s perfect for those moments when you want to treat yourself right away.
Maybe your scalp is feeling itchy or flaky, or you know just how much scalp and hair oiling plays a role in a grand nervous system reset. Whatever the reason, this recipe lets you work with what you’ve got while doing something nourishing for your hair, scalp and entire nervous system.
Why Do I Love Hair Oiling?
There’s a reason this practice has stood the test of time:
- It’s simple, soothing, and it supports both your scalp and your spirit. Whether I use it a couple times a month or only when I feel like it’s needed, it always makes me feel more calm and centered.
- The biggest change I notice is more moisture. Oiling soothes an itchy scalp, helps with flakiness, and brings back softness and shine. It also protects my ends when they feel rough or brittle.
- It’s also so relaxing. Warming the oil and massaging it in feels like a full-body exhale. It gets my circulation going, melts away tension, and helps me feel more grounded.
Featured Ingredient: Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Rosemary has earned its spot as one of the go-to herbs for hair and scalp care. It’s been used for centuries to support a healthy scalp, encourage hair growth, and revive dull or tired strands.
This woody, fragrant herb originally comes from the Mediterranean, where it is known as ros marinus, which in Latin means “dew of the sea.” People have been working with rosemary for everything from cooking to ceremony, but when it comes to hair, it has a long history of use. The leaves contain naturally occurring oils, like camphor and cineole, which give it an invigorating scent and help stimulate circulation.
Better circulation is one reason rosemary is great for hair. More blood flow brings more nutrients to your roots, helping your hair feel stronger and healthier. If your scalp is dry, flaky, or itchy, rosemary’s natural cleansing and antimicrobial properties can also help bring it back into balance.
I love working with rosemary because it feels so uplifting. Its bright, herbal scent creates an invigorating and relaxing experience.
Quick & Easy Rosemary Hair Oil Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp castor oil
- 1/2 cup finely minced fresh or dried rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) leaf (no stems, flowers are fine too)
Instructions
- Set up a double boiler and turn the heat to low. You want the oil to be warm, but never too hot to touch. Gentle heat helps extract the plant's qualities without damaging them.
- Add the finely minced rosemary to the warm oil and stir occasionally for about 20 minutes. Chopping the herb finely is key here, it increases the surface area and allows for better extraction of the plant's volatile oils.
- After 20 minutes, turn off the heat and let the oil sit at room temperature for another hour to continue infusing. Once it's ready, strain out the rosemary and pour the oil into a clean glass jar or a 2-oz dropper bottle for easy use.
- Store your rosemary hair oil in a dark location.
- Oil made with dried rosemary has a shelf life of one year.
- Oil made with fresh rosemary has a shelf life of three months. I don't let it sit around, though. Treat oil made with fresh plants like a food and use it up.
Notes
- Warm a bit of the oil between your palms before applying- it feels amazing on the scalp. You can also use a simple cup warmer to warm your 2-oz bottle before applying the oil. I keep a cup warmer in my self-care area to warm my oils before using them. Simply put a teacup with water on the cup warmer and then put your bottle of oil in the water until it is warm.
- Start with a couple of dropperfuls if you're oiling only your scalp. For more thorough treatments, if you have a dry scalp or a lot of hair, feel free to use up to ¼ cup. Massage it in slowly, making sure to get right down to the roots. You can leave it in for at least 30 minutes before rinsing it out, or wrap your hair in a towel or shower cap and leave it in overnight.
- Use it 1–2 times a month, and give your hair the steady love it deserves.
A Little Goes a Long Way
Whether you’re carving out an evening for self-care or just squeezing in a scalp massage before bed, this rosemary hair oil is a beautiful way to connect with your body and nourish your hair. It doesn’t take much to start seeing the benefits—and once you make it a regular part of your routine, your scalp and nervous system will thank you!
If you enjoyed making this recipe, come join me in my Handcrafted Healing Herbal Oils course. I created this course to help both beginners and experienced herbalists feel confident in their oil-making process. You’ll learn how to make more potent, extra-strength herbal oils you can use in salves, body butters, and all kinds of body care. It’s the perfect next step after a simple project like this easy Rosemary Hair Oil.
You May Also Like:
I would love to hear from you. Do you have hair oil? What have you noticed? Does hair and scalp oiling play a role in your de-stressing routines?
