Never Have You Ever tried a rosemary tea rinse? There are a few strands of thought on this do-it-yourself mixture to promote hair growth, reduce hair loss and shedding.
In an Allure.com article, Nicola Dall’Asen interviewed some experts for their takes. Here are a few excerpts:
For context, we’re not talking about a brand-made hair product you can buy on a shelf; we’re talking about a simple homemade remedy of rosemary leaves (which you can buy in the produce section of most grocery stores) steeped in hot water for a few hours. The reddish liquid is then strained; from there, most folks funnel it into a spray bottle they can spritz on their scalp regularly.
When asked point-blank if this stuff actually makes hair grow any faster or thicker than usual, Mona Gohara, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Connecticut, couldn’t deliver a firm yes or no — and with good reason. Her TL;DR: rosemary tea isn’t directly proven to make hair grow, but there is a tiny morsel of evidence that suggests it might lend a helping hand in the process.
“Rosemary oil eliminates dirt, strengthens follicles, provides moisture to the scalp, and minimizes breakage.”
Gohara cites a study on rosemary oil — different from rosemary tea but consisting of the same key ingredient, it should be noted. Cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson calls out the same study when asked about rosemary’s effect on hair. The study compared the effect of rosemary oil to that of Rogaine (2 percent minoxidil) on 100 subjects. “The same amount of hair growth was noted in both groups over six months,” Gohara summarizes.
If you ask cosmetic chemist Ginger King the same question, she’ll give you a confident stamp of approval and cite similar effects — but only for rosemary oil, not tea. “It works as an antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and most importantly, microcirculation enhancer,” she explains. “An antioxidant is a must for all hair-care to preserve integrity; microcirculation will help to reenergize the scalp for better growth.”
Additionally, King states that rosemary oil’s antimicrobial powers improve scalp health and reduce dandruff — plus, those anti-inflammatory properties help reduce irritation and, therefore, itching and scratching.
Simply put: there’s mounting evidence that rosemary oil can support (but not cause) hair growth — tea, not so much, but that mostly comes down to a lack of research.
There isn’t a whole ton of risk to putting any kind of rosemary concoction on your scalp at the end of the day, just be sure to take any skin conditions you have into account because, as Robinson points out, rosemary can be irritating at times to sensitive skin.
Long story short: Tea might not be proven to be good for the hair, but it hasn’t been proven to be bad, either. Oil, on the other hand, is a much safer bet.
Read the entire article here.
Michelle Blackwood, RN, the voice, content creator, and photographer behind Healthier Steps, shares her take on rosemary tea rinse. Here are a few excerpts:
Rosemary tea is a vitamin, iron, and calcium-rich herbal drink. The plant is frequently used in culinary preparations and in the production of essential oils. Because rosemary is a medicinal grass, it is a very popular garden plant. You can boil the tea directly from rosemary leaves in your garden.
Rosemary is a widely available and widely used herb. It is green in color with fine, needle-like leaves and a strong, pungent aroma. When it comes to hair, it appears to be all-purpose.
Not only can rosemary tea promote new hair development by improving blood circulation, but it also stimulates the roots of current hairs, making them longer and healthier. As a result, your hair will become stronger, more lustrous, and healthier.
This results in less hair breakage as well!
Additionally, drinking rosemary tea benefits our general health and well-being by managing our blood sugar levels, which results in increased hair growth.
Additionally, this leads to an increased amount of oxygenation that flows through your veins, which promotes scalp health.
Rosemary may be used as a basic hair rinse by just heating some water with rosemary and allowing it to steep for 5-10 minutes.
Use this hair rinse once or twice a week as needed. It is critical to remember that once you have rinsed with Rosemary tea, you do not need to rinse it out of your hair.
Simply rinse and exit. Rinsing your hair with Rosemary tea helps to revitalize it and adds a lovely sheen.
Read Michelle’s article here.
If you’re willing to give a “sprig” about trying a homemade remedy, here’s your rosemary tea rinse recipe.
1. Boil water and add your fresh rosemary sprigs (at least two).
2. Allow it to steep for 15-30 minutes, and then use a strainer to sift away the leaves.
3. Allow the rosemary-infused water to cool before using.
DO NOT RINSE OUT!
Would you ever try a rosemary tea rinse? Before you run out to the grocery store for the next BOGO on herbs, #AskKarlinesSalon about the products we recommend to treat, condition, and care for your hair.