Essential oils are often thought of when you need help sleeping, balancing emotions or boosting your immune system. Did you know they can also be beneficial to your hair and scalp? Recently, I’ve had many people reach out asking about essential oils to prevent hair loss and essential oils to help with hair regrowth.
Study on Hair Regrowth
A study that I learned about from the book, “What the Bible Says, Oils & Spices Revealed” by Erica McNeal highlights a study done on essential oils that help with alopecia. Alopecia is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks hair follicles often resulting in hair loss. You can search “Alopecia and Cedarwood” on two websites to read more about this study (pubmed.gov and NCBI).
Study Results on Hair Regrowth
Summarizing the study, 44% of patients saw significant improvement when massaging a mixture of thyme, rosemary, lavender and cedarwood essential oils diluted with a carrier oil into their scalp every day, while only 15% saw improvement with a carrier oil alone. The conclusion was that treament with essential oils was significantly more effective for alopecia than using only a carrier oil.
Hair Regrowth Essential Oil Recipe
There are many reasons people experience hair loss, and it’s great to know there is a natural remedy that is inexpensive, has no side effects and can easily be tried at home. I have made this remedy for several people including those with alopecia, and those experiencing balding with age. I mixed 20 drops each of Cedarwood, Lavender, Rosemary and Thyme in a large rollerball and filled with FCO (fractionated coconut oil). I also made a spray in a glass bottle with 10 drops of each oil, a tablespoon of witch hazel and filled with water. The oil can be rolled directly on the scalp where you wish to regrow hair. The spray can be sprayed on the scalp, and is helpful for those who tend to have oily hair.
Hot Oil Hair Treatment
Lavender and rosemary essential oil are known to promote healthy, strong hair. This hot oil treatment can help with thicker, healthier, shinier hair when used once a week.
Bring 2 cups water to a boil. Reduce heat and add 1 tablespoon avocado oil, 2 tablespoons coconut oil, and 1 teaspoon olive oil and heat on low stirring often for 5 minutes. Pour mixture into a ceramic bowl and add 5 drops each of lavender and rosemary essential oil. Dip you fingertips into the oil mixture and gently massage from scap to tips of hair. Wrap hair in a towel and leave on for 30 minutes.
Curly Hair Mermaid Spray
This recipe is great for beachy waves and curly hair (and also for dry, summer hair). In a 4 oz. glass spray bottle combine 10 drops each of Cedarwood, Lavender and Rosemary essential oils with 1 oz of witch hazel and fill with water. You can also add a pinch of salt for extra curls. Shake before each use and spray on damp hair before styling, or to revitalize curls on dry hair.
Dandruff Essential Oil Helpers
If you suffer from an occasional dry scalp try adding a few drops of thyme and tea tree essential oil to your shampoo or conditioner. It may be easiest to add to your palm before applying to your scalp. If you have dandruff make a blend of 15 drops each of Cedarwood, Lavender and Lemon essential oils in a glass bottle and top with a carrier oil such as almond, jojoba oil or moringa oil (some theorize that moringa oil can be most helpful). Massage into your scalp and leave on overnight, or at least 30 minutes.
Oily Hair Essential Oil Helpers
If you have oily hair or an oily scalp, essential oils can help. Some of the best-known oils for oily hair include Cedarwood, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon, Roman Chamomile and Rosemary essential oils. It may seem counterintuitive to add oil to reduce oily hair, but these oils can help with an oily scalp, yet won’t leave your hair looking greasy. To make a blend for convenient use, try combining 10 drops of 3 of the above referenced oils in a glass jar and top with a carrier oil such as avocado, jojoba, almond or argan oil. Massage the oil into your scalp and leave in, then style as usual.
We also love to feel and look our best, and our hair is a big part of looking our best. I hope you find these essential oil hair helper recipes helpful! If you want to get started using these oils to help with hair regrowth you can grab them here.
Hugs & Health – Michelle