Using natural ingredients and herbs for hair care has been a longstanding tradition. Several natural ingredients have been used as oils, scrubs, shampoos, and conditioning agents to maintain healthy hair and scalp. One such herb that has garnered much attention is rosemary. Rosemary for hair care dates back many years and the powerful herb has stood the test of time. Let us explore how rosemary can benefit our hair and scalp. Happy reading to you!
Origins of Rosemary
The term “rosemary” originates from the Latin phrase ‘ros marinus‘, meaning “dew of the sea”! Rosemary is truly an ancient herb. But just how ancient?
Well, it held significant importance for the Egyptians and gained popularity among the Romans and Greeks around 500 BC. During those times, rosemary was utilized to address heart-related issues, enhance memory and focus, alleviate joint pain, headaches, and more. Rosemary contains Vitamins A, B6, and C, thiamin, magnesium, dietary fiber, folate, calcium, iron, and manganese. It aids in enhancing blood circulation to the brain, enhances memory, reduces inflammation, and fortifies the immune system.
What Makes Rosemary the Right Herb for Hair?
Our hair is a protein filament that grows from follicles in the skin. However, factors like fungal or bacterial scalp infections, stress, diet, dandruff, heat, hair coloring, and chemical treatments are contributing to an increase in hair fall and other hair concerns.
Rosemary oil and rosemary leaf extracts are commonly used to help support hair growth and prevent hair loss. The primary reasons why modern-day experts suggest using the herb is due to its potential properties:
- Antioxidant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antifungal
- Antibacterial
- Vasodilation (improving blood flow)
However, its ability to improve blood circulation, support tissue regeneration, and restore nerve endings is primarily attributed to its ability to support healthy hair and scalp.
Research-Based Evidence on Rosemary
Several modern-day studies suggest that rosemary oil and leaf extract can stimulate hair growth in healthy scalps, manage hair loss, and help in cases of androgenetic alopecia.1,2,3
- Improve blood circulation: A vital way in which rosemary leaf extracts potentially stimulate hair growth is by improving blood circulation to the scalp. It has been observed that rosemary could possibly stimulate the cells (endothelial cells) that line the blood vessels, thereby improving blood circulation and movement of platelets. This property was also believed to have a positive impact on hair loss.
- Restore nerve endings: Another way in which rosemary leaf extracts can potentially counter poor hair growth is by accelerating tissue regeneration and restoring damaged nerve endings around the follicles due to their carnosic acid content. Thus, a topical application of rosemary can help stimulate healthy hair growth and keep the scalp in prime condition.
- Stress and hair loss: Hair loss is characterized by partial or total hair loss and stress has long been implicated as one of the causal factors. Research suggests that rosemary has the potential to deal with stress and may help manage it. Inhaling rosemary oil helps relax by decreasing the pulse rates and lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Thus, rosemary may help reduce stress which might help manage hair loss associated with stress.
There are many ways in which rosemary may be included in our daily routine to seek its benefits. However, topical application of rosemary extracts and leaves seems to offer better results.
Read More: 100 Ayurvedic Beauty Tips: Skincare, Haircare, Diet
How Does Rosemary Boost Hair Growth?
When applied to the scalp, rosemary can help increase circulation and movement of vital nutrients to the hair follicle. This stimulation of the follicles can help boost the health of the existing hair and promote the growth of new fibers. With its natural astringent properties, rosemary is ideal for managing oily skin and hair, keeping them fresh without causing dryness. In addition to this, the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of rosemary can help maintain a healthy scalp for optimal hair growth. Furthermore, rosemary oil application can help strengthen the hair shaft making it less prone to damage and breakage. So, try massaging your scalp with rosemary extract or using rosemary-infused shampoos!
Other Benefits Associated with Rosemary
Some other significant benefits associated with rosemary oil, dried leaves, and leave extracts are as follows:
- Cognitive benefits: Rosemary is a powerful herb that exhibits multiple properties due to its chemical constituents. Multiple studies have highlighted that consuming rosemary may benefit the cognitive health of a person and enhance their performance. This may include the ability to treat or prevent dementia, cognitive function among elders, memory enhancement, etc. The antioxidant property of rosemary is associated with reducing cell damage caused by free radicals and due to this potential property, it can act as a cognitive enhancer.4,5,6
- Pain relief: Rosemary is also associated with neuropathic pain relief and is often used as a mild pain reliever. Studies suggest that aromatherapy acupressure, including herbal options like rosemary, may offer additional benefits for managing pain. However, it is best used under medical or Ayurvedic supervision.7, 8
- Digestive health: The potential of the application of rosemary oil is seen in managing gas formation in the gastrointestinal tract. The carminative property of rosemary oil has been studied by experts and is believed to help in the expulsion of excessive gas from the tract thereby relieving flatulence. As far as digestive health is concerned, it can help with conditions like diarrhea, indigestion, etc.9, 10, 11, 12
Apart from these, several other potential benefits of rosemary are being explored and studied by experts which include the ability to help improve liver and digestive health, cardiovascular condition, menstrual health, manage food poisoning, etc.
Rosemary Oil for Skin
Renowned for its astringent properties and abundance of antioxidants, rosemary is an excellent natural remedy for oily skin. Its oil helps cleanse and refresh the skin, promoting a smoother and healthier appearance. In addition to minimizing acne scars, rosemary oil also aids in evening out skin tone, reducing discoloration, and leaving the complexion looking bright and balanced. Whether you’re battling oily skin, wrinkles, acne, or thinning hair, rosemary can do wonders! Modern research says that, unlike harsh products that can dry out your skin and make things worse, rosemary gently removes excess oil, keeping pimples at bay and leaving the skin feeling fresh. Packed with antioxidants, rosemary oil is excellent for firming the skin and minimizing the appearance of fine lines. Its cell-regenerating properties help diminish scars, spots, and sun damage while also combating acne and blemishes for a clearer, more youthful complexion.
Read More: 5 Effortless Skincare Tips To Manage Persistently Dry Skin
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