How to Prepare Rosemary for Hair

Last Updated: August 25, 2020

Although rosemary is most often used as a spice to season foods such as poultry, sausage, soups and stews, it is also valued as an effective hair treatment that may slow the progress of premature hair loss by stimulating the hair follicles. In addition, rosemary may relieve dandruff and dry, itchy scalp. Even if your hair is perfectly normal, rosemary leaves it soft and shiny. Although you can purchase commercial hair products containing rosemary, you can also prepare your own rosemary hair treatments at home.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Rosemary Preparation

1
Rinse fresh rosemary with cool water. Shake to remove excess water, and then place the rosemary between paper towels to dry.
2
Hold 4 to 6 stems of rosemary upside-down by the stems. Gather the rosemary into a bunch.

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3
Strip off the weaker, lower leaves with your fingernails. Leave the upper leaves, which are more pungent.
4
Place the rosemary in a paper sack with the stems extending through the open end of the bag. Gather the bag around the stems, then secure the bag and stems with a string or rubber band.
5
Hang the rosemary in a warm, dry room for at least 2 weeks, or until the leaves are dry and brittle.
6
Pull the leaves from the stems. Discard the stems and place the dry leaves in a resealable plastic bag or airtight container.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Rosemary Tea

1
Brew a basic rosemary tea for use in a variety of hair treatments.
- Place approximately 1 qt. of bottled or distilled water in a large non-aluminum saucepan. Bring the water to a full boil.
- Stir 1 or 2 large handfuls of dried rosemary leaves into a quart of boiling water.
- Turn off the stove burner. Allow the rosemary to steep in the water for at least 6 hours.
- Pour the brew into a dark-colored glass jar. Store the jar in your refrigerator and add the brew to hair treatments as needed.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Hair Treatments

1
Use rosemary tea to make basic rosemary shampoo. Mix 1/4 cup of tea with 1 cup of liquid castile soap.
- Add a few drops of camphor oil immediately before you shampoo if you have dandruff.
- Squeeze in a small amount of lemon juice for oily hair. A few drops of lavender essential oil creates a soothing fragrance.
2
Add 1/2 cup of warm water to 1/2 cup of rosemary tea to make refreshing rosemary hair rinse.
- Pour the liquid slowly through your hair immediately after you shampoo, and then rinse your hair with warm water.
3
Add 2 to 3 drops of camphor oil to a cup of rosemary tea, then use the mixture as a tonic for dandruff or itchy scalp.
- Dip a cotton ball into the tonic, and then dab the tonic onto your scalp.
- Put on a plastic shower cap and leave the tonic on your scalp for 30 minutes, and then rinse.