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In a dropper bottle or small bowl, pour in a half cup of your carrier oil of choice.
If using coconut oil, use fractionated coconut oil or gently warm it until melted.
Add the essential oils to the carrier oil and mix well.
Store the oil in a dark dropper bottle or glass jar away from sunlight.
To use, section your hair and apply a few drops of the oil onto the scalp, massaging it in.
Let the oil sit for 2-5 hours before washing your hair.
Essential Oils for Your Hair
There is some evidence that certain essential oils can promote hair growth, especially when combined with standard therapy.
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil may help with hair growth in people with alopecia (a condition leading to hair loss). In one study, 44% of participants who used lavender oil combined with thyme, rosemary, lavender, and cedarwood oils saw improvement in their hair loss due to one type of alopecia compared to 15% of the control group.2
In another study, 75% of participants who used lavender combined with thyme, rosemary, cedarwood, and evening primrose oils experienced improved hair growth compared to 30% in the placebo (fake treatment) group.2
Peppermint Essential Oil
Little to no human studies support peppermint oil for hair growth. However, a study on mice found that peppermint essential oil produced thick, long hair after four weeks of topical application.3 Researchers believe it holds promise as an alternative treatment for hair loss in humans.
Rosemary Essential Oil
Studies show that rosemary oil for hair may be beneficial for multiple reasons. Rosemary has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Research shows rosemary essential oil improves circulation around the hair follicle in alopecia.4
Compared to a 2% minoxidil concentration found in brand-name Rogaine, rosemary performed as well as the standard treatment but with less scalp irritation.5
Cedarwood Essential Oil
Cedarwood has antibacterial properties and anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.6 There is very little research on the impact of cedarwood essential oil on hair health. However, some evidence suggests combining with other oils, including lavender, may improve hair loss.2
Lemongrass Essential Oil
Lemongrass essential oil may help with dandruff. Researchers found that a hair tonic containing lemongrass essential oil effectively reduced dandruff.7 It was significantly reduced at a week and even more at two weeks. All formulations (5%, 10%, and 15%) were effective, but the most effective seemed to be the 10%.
11 Best Natural Oils for Better Hair Health
Thyme Essential Oil
Thyme essential oil is another promising oil for treating dandruff. It has known anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties.8 In one study, thyme demonstrated anti-dandruff activity by stopping microbial growth associated with dandruff formation.9
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree oil is a common ingredient in hair care products, including shampoos. Research shows it may help with dandruff. A study found that 5% tea tree oil effectively reduced dandruff. Among participants, the tea tree oil group showed a 41% improvement compared to 11% in the placebo group.10
There is evidence that tea tree oil may be beneficial for treating head lice. An older study found that 2% tea tree oil effectively killed head lice after 30 minutes and louse eggs after five days.11
Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil
Research has found that ylang-ylang essential oil may help with scalp psoriasis. This plant oil has known antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, which makes it a good candidate for treating psoriasis.12 While studies have found promising results, more research is needed to evaluate long-term safety and efficacy.
Chamomile Oil
Chamomile oil's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may be beneficial for treating scalp eczema. An animal study involving rats found that when chamomile was delivered in a topical gel carrier, the duration of skin healing decreased twofold compared to chamomile oil applied without the carrier gel.13
What Oils Are Good for Skin? Types and Benefits
Geranium Oil
Research shows that geranium oil demonstrated hair growth in in vitro (performed in a lab dish or test tube) and in vivo (performed on living organisms) studies. Researchers say this is due to its ability to regulate growth factors and cellular response.14