Essential Oils for Hair Growth | Do They Work?

I am sure you have already heard about the great therapeutic value of essential oils. Fortunately, you can find over 100 varieties of essential oils (EO) obtained from various organic and plant sources. Most of these oils have some benefits or others for giving us healthy hair skin, or healing infectious diseases.

If you are facing hair issues, you would love to learn about the best essential oils for hair growth, conditioning, moisturizing, reversing gray hairs, and preventing hair loss and dandruff.

Thick, lustrous, and long hair is important to personal appearance and beauty. Many eyeballs turn towards you when you have beautiful long or short hair with a smoother and shiny texture. Beautiful hair also boosts your self-confidence and vitality.

Most hair issues, especially poor hair growth, and excessive hair fall, can be treated with a suitable essential oil or a blend.

Benefits of Oil For Hair and Scalp

Some think using oil on hair and scalp is unnecessary since our scalp already has sebum glands. The biological oil ‘sebum’ in the skin tissues keeps the skin hydrated and provides a protective cover on the hair strands.

Indeed, sebum is meant to give nourishment and protection to skin and hair. However, sebum alone is not enough to keep the skin and hair healthy as it gets depleted through exposure to heat, dust, and external pollutants. Hormonal disorders and diseases can also hinder the production of sebum. Because of this, our scalp turns dry, itchy, and flaky, making our hair curly.

So, using natural oils like essential oils is the best solution for hair growth and preventing excessive hair fall.

study by the International Journal of Trichology strongly affirms that “Oils play an important role in protecting hair from damage.”

randomized trial of aromatherapy with essential oils proved to be a successful treatment for alopecia areata.

Regular usage of good essential oils diluted in carrier oils can help keep the scalp and hair healthy, provided you do not suffer from ant-alopecia-causing diseases.

A research article by the University Of Maryland Medical Center says that ‘massaging the scalp with a combination of several essential oils, including lavender, rosemary, thyme, and cedarwood, improved hair growth.’

Essential oils are essences of plants that are typically obtained by distillation and have the characteristic fragrance of the plant. Over a hundred varieties of essential oils are obtained from different plant sources with numerous therapeutics and industrial usages.

Many of these essential oils contain specific medicinal properties and nutrients that become remedies for premature graying, alopecia, hair growth, dandruff, and infections on the scalp.

You will find that most natural remedies for hair and scalp-related issues have essential oils as necessary components besides other herbal extracts and carrier oils.

15 Best Essential Oils for Hair Growth

Different EOs provide varied benefits in scalp and hair treatments. When one is good for preventing hair fall, another may be good for fighting dandruff. You must choose the right essential oil or oil blends according to your hair care needs.

This article has selected the 15 best essential oils for hair growth and scalp treatments.

1. Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary oil is the most popular essential oil for hair growth and conditioning.

One of the 2015 studies, which did a randomized comparative trial between Rosemary oil vs. Minoxidil 2%, found evidence concerning the efficacy of rosemary oil in treating androgenetic alopecia.

Massaging rosemary oil on the scalp and hair can help increase blood circulation and the flow of growth nutrients into the hair follicles. It is well known for preventing the premature graying of hair.

By the way, rinsing your hair with Rosemary leaves simmered water is useful for delaying the graying of hair and giving the hair shining shades.

Directions:

  1. Add ten drops of Rosemary oil in 3Tsp of coconut or Jojoba oil.
  2. Massage this oil mixture on the scalp and hair; heating the oil mixture before the application is desirable. You can wash the hair after 30 minutes of applying it.
  3. Repeat the treatment daily or every other day.

2. Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil is widely used in several natural remedies for treating various diseases. It contains medicinal properties which are anti-inflammatory, soothing and regenerative, detoxing, and reducing stress.

Some preliminary results studies have shown that lavender oil, combined with oils from other herbs, can help with hair loss.

One of the major reasons for premature graying and hair loss is said to be continuous stress and anxiety that torments the person mentally and physically and leads to hormonal reactions.

Massaging the lavender oil on the scalp soothes the nerves and diffuses tension and stress. This stimulates the hair follicles’ moisture and clears the clogged pores on scalp tissues. It improves the blood circulation to the hair follicles, which helps increase hair growth and lowers the chances of premature graying. Lavender oil is also a powerful natural remedy for dandruff and other infections on the scalp because of its antifungal and antibacterial properties.

Directions: Dilute the Lavender oil in olive or coconut oil and massage it on the scalp and hair; you can rinse the hair after 30 minutes. Aromatherapy with lavender oil soothes the nerves and relieves tension, which is beneficial for hair growth.

3. Thyme Essential Oil

Thyme essential oil helps increase the blood flow into scalp tissues and stimulates the follicles. Thyme oil works best for hair when used as an ingredient in the essential oil blend for hair treatment. You will find that most natural remedies for hair loss usually have this oil as an ingredient.

It is useful for fighting dandruff and infections on the scalp because of the potential antimicrobial properties present in this oil.

Directions: Add two drops of thyme oil in 5 drops of lavender oil and 2 Tbsp coconut or olive oil to make an oil blend. Massage the scalp and hair with this oil blend; you can rinse the hair after 30 minutes.

4. Carrot Seed Essential Oil

Carrot seed essential oil is a ‘natural tonic for hair and skin.’ It contains essential nutrients required for the nourishment of hair. This oil also possesses detoxifying and hormone-regulating properties that can be beneficial for preventing premature alopecia.

This oil’s right amount of carotene and antioxidants protects the scalp, skin, and hair.

Directions: You can massage the Carrot root essential oil directly on the scalp or dilute it in jojoba/coconut oil.

5. Cedarwood Essential Oil

Cedarwood essential oil is an excellent natural remedy for treating dandruff and infection on the scalp. It prevents hair loss caused by microbial attacks because of its antimicrobial properties.

One of the long-term experimental studies has reported the effectiveness of this oil in reversing alopecia areata.

It helps to maintain moisture balance on hair and skin by balancing the oil secretion of the sebaceous glands. Massaging the scalp with cedarwood essential oil helps stimulate the hair follicles which helps in the thicker growth of hair.

Directions: Add three drops of cedarwood oil in 2 Tbsp of coconut oil and massage this oil blend on the scalp and hair; wash the hair only after 30 minutes of applying the oil.

6. Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea tree essential oil is a natural antibiotic for treating most skin and hair problems. This oil is known for its powerful antimicrobial properties present in it.

Perhaps it is the No.1 natural remedy for getting rid of dandruff that can cause hair loss. It is beneficial for moisturizing the scalp and hair and prevents infection and itching on the scalp.

Directions: For hair growth, mix three drops of tea tree oil with 2 Tbsp coconut or almond oil and thoroughly massage the oil mixture on the scalp. For dandruff, removal adds a few drops of TTO in shampoo/conditioner to be used for rinsing the hair. Warning: Never use TTO directly on skin or hair without diluting in a carrier oil.

7. Almond Essential Oil

Almond oil is a popularly used hair oil. It contains nutrients needed for the healthy nourishment of hair.

This oil helps to moisturize the scalp and hair and prevents split ends, and breakage of hair.

Directions:

  1. Take the required amount of almonds for applying on the hair and scalp, and slightly warm it up before massaging it on the hair and scalp.
  2. Rinse the hair only after 30 minutes of applying.
  3. Repeat this treatment daily for the best hair growth results.

8. Patchouli Essential Oil

Patchouli oil is akin to lavender oil when it comes to the several therapeutic uses associated with this oil. This oil obtained from the flowers and leaves of Pogostemon cablin is characterized by a strong, musky smell and spicy taste.

This oil contains a rich amount of anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, making it beneficial for treating infections on the scalp and skin that can cause hair loss.

It works well to treat eczema, dandruff, and dermatitis, which cause hair fall if they occur on the scalp.

Directions:

  1. Mix three drops of patchouli oil and 5 drops of Rosemary oil to create an oil blend.
  2. Apply this oil blend on the scalp and hair; rinse the hair only after 30 minutes of using it on the scalp.
  3. Use lemon or lavender oil rinse if you want to mask the smell of patchouli.

9. Clary Sage Essential Oil

Clary sage essential oil extracted from Salvia sclarea is widely used in aromatherapy to cure various diseases. The phytoestrogen content in this oil aids in hair growth and reverses premature hair loss.

It helps produce and maintain natural oil in the scalp responsible for the healthy growth of hair. The antifungal properties of this oil are useful for preventing and healing infections on the scalp and skin that might cause hair fall.

It moisturizes and rejuvenates the dry scalp and hair to make the hair healthy and strong.

Directions: Mix ten drops of Clary Sage oil with 1-2 Tbsp of coconut or jojoba oil and massage this oil blend on the scalp and hair; do not wash the hair for 30 minutes after applying the oils.

10. Cypress Essential Oil

Cypress essential oil is a widely used ingredient in most natural hair formulas. This oil is known for its efficiency in increasing capillary strength and increasing blood circulation to the hair follicles.

While this oil contributes to hair growth, it also balances the oil content on the scalp skin. This oil works best for hair when blended with lavender, rosemary, or sage essential oils.

Directions: Like other essential oils for hair, this must also be diluted in a carrier oil before applying it. You can add a few drops of Cypress oil to your hair conditioner while rinsing the hair.

11. Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Ylang Ylang oil obtained from the flowers of the Cananga odorata tree is effective for treating hair and skincare issues. It is widely used in aromatherapy for treating various diseases.

Studies have verified the relaxing effect of ylang-ylang oil on humans after transdermal absorption. Aromatherapy with Ylang Ylang essential oil relieves stress and anxiety that might cause alopecia in some people.

It is beneficial for the healthy growth of hair as this oil helps to balance the production of sebum oil in the scalp skin tissues.

Excessive scalp and hair dryness lead to premature hair loss, hair split ends and breakage, and premature graying. This oil naturally moisturizes the scalp and hair by helping in the balanced production of sebum—the antifungal properties in Ylang Ylang oil help to expel fungal infections and head lice.

Directions: Mix five drops of Ylang Ylang oil in 2 Tbsp Coconut or Castor oil and massage this oil mixture on hair and scalp.

12. Bergamot Essential Oil

Bergamot essential oil is used as an ingredient in many natural hair formulas. The human scalp and hair’s sebum oil has a pH balance between 4.5 and 5.5. This natural hair acidity prevents fungi and bacteria in the hair and scalp and keeps the cuticle closed and healthy.

Bergamot oil is rich in pH-balancing properties, and thus, it is good to mix a few drops of Bergamot oil in your hair conditioner for rinsing the hair.

However, this oil is prone to photosensitivity which may result in adverse effects on hair if exposed to direct sunlight for a long time.

Directions: Add a few drops of Bergamot oil in coconut or jojoba oil and apply this oil mixture to the scalp and hair. You can also add a few drops of this oil to your hair conditioner while rinsing the hair.

13. Lemon Essential Oil

Lemon essential oil is a citrus-flavored oil extract from lemon rinds. This oil is mostly used in hair care to remove dryness on the scalp and hair.

This oil’s antiseptic and antimicrobial elements are useful in fighting dandruff, scalp acne, psoriasis, and fungal infections that might cause hair loss.

It clears the pores on the scalp and removes the clogging of excess oil in the skin tissues on the scalp.

Directions: Mix a few drops of lemon oil in 2 Tbsp jojoba or coconut oil and apply this oil mixture on the scalp and hair. Rinse the hair with cold water after an hour or two.

14. Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint essential oil contains excellent antimicrobial properties that can easily remove microbial infections on hair and scalp.

According to a research report published by the Journal of Toxicological Research, “PEO induces a rapid anagen stage and could be used as a practical agent for hair growth without change of body weight gain and food efficiency.”

When this oil is massaged on the scalp, it produces a natural cooling and soothing effect on the scalp. It helps stimulate the hair follicles and relieves stress and anxiety.

Peppermint oil moisturizes the scalp and opens up the clogged pores on the scalp skin.

Direction:

  1. Add a few drops of peppermint oil to 2 Tbsp warm coconut oil.
  2. Massage this oil mixture on the scalp and hair.
  3. Wash the scalp and hair after 30 minutes with organic conditioners.

Warning: Peppermint oil can be harsh on the skin; you should do a small patch test before applying it for the first time.

15. Chamomile Essential Oil

Chamomile essential oil (especially the yellow-colored Roman Chamomile) is known for the calming and relaxing experience it produces. Its anti-inflammatory properties are beneficial for healing infections and itch on the scalp that causes hair loss.

The yellow-colored Roman Chamomile oil is good for conditioning and cleansing hair and scalp. Adding a few drops of Chamomile essential oil to your hair conditioner helps to make the hair soft and shiny.

Directions: Add a few drops of Chamomile essential oil in 2 Tbsp of Jojoba oil and massage this oil mixture on your hair and scalp. For hair conditioning, add a few drops of this oil to the conditioner you will use for rinsing the hair.

Precautions and Side Effects

Here are a few tips on how to use essential oil for hair and a few causations on the possible side effects of using essential oils on hair:

  • Most Essential oils are highly concentrated from powerful ingredients that can cause skin irritation and allergy, so use them only after diluting them in a suitable carrier oil for hair;
  • Some of the essential oils are not safe for the very delicate skin of babies and infants;
  • CoconutJojobaCastorOlive, Or Almond are the best carrier oils beneficial for hair growth and protection; choose any of these oils for diluting the EOs;
  • If you have an oily scalp, use floral water, vinegar, or alcohol for diluting essential oils;
  • Essential Oils are not stand-alone remedies for hair loss; they only contribute to the overall growth of hair. Healthy diets, prevention of scalp infections, proper hair care, relieving stress, and managing hormonal balances are necessary for the healthy growth of hair;
  • Make sure that essential oil does not get into your eyes and ears while using it on hair;
  • Using a blend of different essential and carrier oils is more effective for the total care of hair and scalp;
  • Do not use old and contaminated essential oils.
  • In case of allergy or irritations, stop the use of essential oils; some of them are not meant for sensitive skin;
  • Essential oils for hair growth work only when they are regularly used.

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