Make your own easy rosemary water for hair care, or rosemary hair wash, with just two ingredients. Rosemary is great for hair health and this is a more environmentally friendly option than using a lot of essential oils. Since it's not as potent as an essential oil, you can use a rosemary rinse every day if you'd like.
For more natural hair care, try making your own herb-infused apple cider vinegar hair rinse or herbal oil for masks.

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Ingredients
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Rosemary: this can be dried or fresh (amounts are noted in the recipe card).
- Distilled water: you can try tap water, but I much prefer distilled water for this recipe to really give the hair an opportunity to rest a bit from the minerals and other additions that are in city water. If you're rinsing it out anyway, you can probably use tap water and it won't make a difference, but note that it might spoil more quickly.
How to Make Rosemary Water
Step 1: mix the rosemary and water in a pot and bring to a simmer.
Step 2: simmer over low heat for about half an hour, then strain and cool before use.
Top Tips
- Think about frequency: you can use rosemary water a few times a week or as desired. Some people prefer to use it as a leave-in treatment, while others rinse it out.
- Test on a small area: before applying rosemary water to your entire scalp, it's a good idea to do a patch test to ensure you don't have any adverse reactions.
- Be consistent: consistency is key. You may not see immediate results, so be patient and use it regularly for a period before expecting noticeable changes.
How to Use a Rosemary Rinse
After washing your hair as usual, apply the rinse to your scalp and hair by pouring or spraying it on. For the most noticeable benefits, it should be left in for at least half an hour. Much like an apple cider vinegar hair rinse, you can choose to leave the rosemary water in your hair, or rinse it out after applying.
If you'd like to leave it in, you can use a spray bottle like I do rather than doing a pour. I find it's much simpler to simply do a leave-in rinse as it's not practical to sit around for half an hour in a towel before getting back in the shower.
Remember that individual responses to natural remedies can vary, and it's always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional or dermatologist if you have specific concerns about your hair or scalp health.
How to Store
Storage: rosemary water can be kept in a sealed container in the fridge for 7-10 days. Remember to use a clean container (run it through a dishwasher or sterilize in the oven if it's heat-safe).
Freezing: if you have too much, it can be frozen in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before use.
FAQ
Is rosemary good for hair growth?
A study showed that rosemary oil was as beneficial for hair growth for individuals with alopecia as a hair loss medication and resulted in a healthier scalp with less itching and dandruff. Scientific research in the field is limited but there is significant historical precedent and modern herbalists have been utilizing rosemary water for decades.
How long should I leave rosemary water in my hair?
If you plan on rinsing it out, leave it in for at least half an hour. You can also leave it in – so pour or spray it onto your hair and dry as usual without rinsing again.
Can rosemary water go bad?
Definitely, and it should be stored properly to prevent bacteria growth. Keep it in the fridge or even in the freezer to prevent spoilage.
If you make this Rosemary Hair Rinse or any other vegan DIY recipes on Wholehearted Eats, please take a moment to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It’s such a help to others who want to try the recipe. For more WHE, follow along on Instagram or subscribe for new posts via email.
Rosemary Water for Hair
Equipment
- Cooking pot
- Small spray bottle optional
Ingredients
- 2 cups distilled water
- ¼ cup dried rosemary or approximately 12 large sprigs of fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Add the water to a pot and bring to a boil. Once the water is boiling, add the rosemary leaves to the pot.2 cups distilled water, ¼ cup dried rosemary
- Reduce the heat to low and let the rosemary simmer for 20-30 minutes. This allows the beneficial compounds to be released into the water.
- Allow the rosemary water to cool, and then strain out the rosemary leaves. You can use a fine sieve or cheesecloth.
- Transfer the rosemary water to a container or spray bottle.
- After shampooing, you can use the rosemary water as a final rinse. You can also spray it onto your hair and scalp, ensuring even coverage.
- You can choose to leave the rosemary water in your hair or rinse it out with cool water after application.
I'm looking forward to trying this. My hair has thinned out and I'm so ready to help it grow back.
Can you use rosemary essential oils in the same way?
Hi Charity, there are a lot of guides available on using rosemary essential oil for hair and I would recommend looking at one of those. I prefer not to use the essential oils as rosemary water is a more environmentally-friendly option.
thanks for sharing this information. I am 63 years of age. I started loosing my hair when I was 46 years old. with perseverance, after so many years I began to regrow my hair. with the help of Rosemary, flaxseed fenugreek rice water and onions and garlic, my hair loss story changed. at different times I use rice water to boil the rosemary leaves, mix with my hair conditioner and I'm good to go.
I noticed my hair is thinning, and I started using rosemary water now six months and has worked. Thanks for the rosemary recipe, have also helped my friends.
Can I leave it in my hair overnight after spraying? How many times in a week can I use it.?
All the q's are answered in the top tips section 🙂
I m struggling with hair fall, will definitely try it
excellent results...thank you
really is it working
How long before you noticed results?
Hair growth can be influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, nutrition, stress, and hormones——but on average, most studies agree that it takes about 6 months.
Does it take six months to start growing again or completely grow out?
It will vary from person to person, but studies show on average peoples hair feels thicker in about 6 months.
Thank you so much for the recipe, there is a huge difference in my hair.
Thank you so much for the Rosemary recipe, because I'm struggling with hair loss.