The Top 7 Essential Oils for Stronger, Healthier Hair

Hair is often considered a crowning glory for everyone, whether men or women. It is a symbol of beauty, health, and youthfulness. But, the harsh chemicals in shampoos, conditioners, and hair styling products and environmental pollution and stress can make your hair dull, lifeless, and prone to damage.

If you're searching for a natural way to promote hair growth and maintain scalp health, essential oils can be your go-to option. Essential oils are extremely concentrated extracts of plants that have numerous health benefits, including enhancing hair growth, preventing hair loss, and promoting scalp health. Due to their efficacy and minimal risk of side effects, essential oils have been utilized for centuries in the alternative, Eastern, and homeopathic medicine.

Keep reading to learn the top 7 essential oils for hair growth and scalp health that you should add to your hair care routine.

1.    Rosemary Essential Oil

It is distilled from the rosemary plant leaves, which is native to the Mediterranean region. It has a refreshing aroma and is known for its stimulating and invigorating properties. Rosemary oil is an excellent choice for promoting hair growth and improving scalp health due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. It helps to unclog hair follicles, nourish the scalp, and increase blood circulation, which promotes hair growth and prevents hair loss. One study found that rosemary oil stimulated hair growth as effectively as the popular minoxidil treatment but with less adverse effects like an itchy scalp¹.

For using rosemary oil for hair growth, mix several drops of essential oil with a carrier oil like coconut, olive, or jojoba oil. Massage the mixture onto your scalp for a few minutes and leave it on for at least 10 minutes before washing it off with a mild shampoo. Repeat this once or twice a week for the best results.

2.    Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil is derived from the flowers of the lavender plant native to the Mediterranean region. It has a sweet, floral aroma and is known for its calming and soothing properties. Lavender oil is an excellent choice for promoting hair growth and improving scalp health due to its antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Lavender essential oil helps to soothe the scalp, reduce dandruff, and promote hair growth. Recognizing that lavender oil has properties that promote cell development and reduce stress, researchers in one animal study discovered that this oil promoted faster hair growth in mice².

To use lavender oil for hair growth, mix several drops of essential oil with a carrier oil like coconut, olive, or jojoba oil. Massage the mixture onto your scalp and hair, and leave it on for at least 10 minutes before washing it off with a mild shampoo. Repeat this once or twice a week for the best results.

3.    Peppermint Essential Oil

The leaves of the peppermint plant, native to Europe and Asia, are used to extract peppermint essential oil. It has a refreshing, minty aroma and is known for its cooling and soothing properties. Peppermint oil is an excellent choice for promoting hair growth and improving scalp health due to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. It improves scalp blood circulation, reduces dermatitis, and stimulates hair growth. When tested on mice, peppermint oil was found to stimulate hair growth in terms of both the quantity and depth of follicles³.

For using peppermint oil for hair growth, mix two drops of peppermint essential oil with a carrier oil like coconut, olive, or jojoba oil. Massage the mixture onto your scalp and hair, and leave it on for at least 5 minutes before washing it off with a mild shampoo and conditioner. Repeat this once or twice a week for the best results.

4.    Cedarwood Essential Oil

Cedarwood essential oil is extracted from the cedar tree's wood, native to the Himalayas and Mediterranean region. It has a warm, woody aroma and is known for its calming and grounding properties. Cedarwood oil is an excellent choice for promoting hair growth and improving scalp health due to its antifungal, antiseptic, and astringent properties. It helps to balance the scalp's oil production, reduces dandruff, and prevents hair loss. Cedarwood extract was found to prevent hair loss in those with alopecia areata, and it worked best when combined with lavender and rosemary⁴.

To use cedarwood oil for hair growth, mix a few drops of essential oil with coconut, olive, or jojoba oil. Massage the mixture onto your scalp and hair, and leave it on for at least 10 minutes before washing it off with a mild shampoo. Repeat this once or twice a week for the best results.

5.    Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea tree oil is distilled from tea tree leaves, which is native to Australia. It has a fresh, medicinal aroma and is known for its antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Tea tree oil is an excellent choice for promoting hair growth and improving scalp health due to its ability to unclog hair follicles, reduce dandruff, and soothe scalp irritation.

A study revealed that a combination of tea tree oil and minoxidil was more effective at promoting hair growth than minoxidil alone⁵. According to a 2015 review, tea tree is frequently found in anti-dandruff treatments⁶.

For using tea tree oil, mix three drops of tea tree essential oil with coconut, olive, or jojoba oil. Massage the mixture onto your scalp and hair, and leave it on for at least 15 minutes before washing it off with a mild shampoo. Repeat this once or twice a week for the best results.

Also, you can add 10 drops of tea tree essential oil to your daily shampoo or conditioner.

6.    Thyme Essential Oil

The leaves of the thyme plant are distilled to make thyme essential oil. It has a warm, herbal aroma and is known for its antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Thyme oil contains high levels of thymol, which has been revealed to be effective against a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi. Thyme essential oil is excellent for promoting hair growth and improving scalp health. It aids in increasing blood flow to the scalp, stimulating hair follicles and positively affecting hair growth. Thyme oil also helps to soothe an itchy or irritated scalp and can help to prevent dandruff. Similarly to cedarwood oil, thyme oil has been found to be effective in treating alopecia areata⁷.

For using thyme essential oil for hair growth, mix two drops of thyme oil with coconut, olive, or jojoba oil. Massage the mixture onto your scalp and hair, and leave it on for at least 10 minutes before washing it off with a mild shampoo. Repeat this once or twice a week for the best results.

7.    Clary Sage Essential Oil

It is extracted from the flowers and leaves of the clary sage plant. It has a sweet, herbaceous aroma and is known for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and hormone-balancing properties. Clary sage oil is an excellent choice for promoting hair growth and improving scalp health due to its ability to regulate sebum production.

Sebum is the oil generated by sebaceous glands in the scalp. When sebum production is imbalanced, it can lead to a variety of scalp issues, including dandruff, oily or dry scalp, and hair loss. Clary sage oil helps to regulate sebum production, which can promote healthy hair growth and prevent scalp issues⁸.

For using clary sage essential oil for hair growth, mix three drops of clary sage oil with coconut, olive, or jojoba oil. Massage the mixture onto your scalp and hair, and leave it on for at least 10 minutes before washing it off with a mild shampoo. Repeat this once or twice a week for the best results.

 

Tips for Using Essential Oils for Hair Growth and Scalp Health

 

• Always dilute essential oils with carrier oil before applying them to your scalp and hair. Essential oils are highly concentrated, and applying them directly to the scalp can cause irritation and allergic reactions.

 

• Test the essential oil mixture on a small area of your skin before applying it to your scalp and hair. This will help you determine if you are allergic to any of the ingredients.

 

• Use a mild shampoo to wash off the essential oil mixture from your hair. Avoid hot water, which can strip your hair of its natural oils.

 

• Use essential oils once or twice a week for best results. Overuse of essential oils can cause dryness and damage to your hair.

 

• Choose high-quality essential oils that are free of synthetic fragrances and additives. Look for pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils that are extracted through steam distillation or cold-pressing. You can use Harmony's Essential Oils to improve your hair growth and scalp health, as these are pure and natural. In addition, Harmony's Essential Oils are also a steam distilled and free from additives or fragrances.

The Bottom Line

Essential oils are a natural and efficient way to promote hair growth and maintain scalp health. Rosemary, lavender, peppermint, cedarwood, tea tree, thyme, and clary sage essential oils are among the top choices for promoting hair growth and improving scalp health. Each of these oils has unique properties that help to stimulate hair growth, reduce dandruff, and soothe scalp irritation. When using essential oils to promote hair growth and a healthy scalp, diluting them with a carrier oil is essential. By incorporating essential oils into your hair care routine, you can naturally achieve healthy, shiny, and beautiful hair.