DIY Rosemary Water for Hair Growth 🌿
- Cheryl Martinez
- Apr 6
- 6 min read
Let’s talk about something I don’t think we talk about enough as vegans — hair health.
When I first transitioned to a fully plant-based lifestyle, my skin was glowing, my digestion improved, and I felt amazing… but a few months in, I started noticing more hair in the shower drain than I was used to. And I panicked a little. Jump to Recipe👇
It turns out this is actually pretty common among new vegans. Our bodies go through a transition phase while adjusting to a new nutrient profile, and sometimes that can show up as temporary hair thinning or shedding. If you’ve experienced it too — you are NOT alone, and there’s so much we can do to support our hair naturally while we get our nutrition dialed in.
If you're looking for a deeper dive on this topic, I wrote a full post all about hair loss and hair health for new vegans. It covers essential nutrients, supplements, and plant-based tips to support your hair from the inside out. If you're feeling like your diet may have affected your hair health, definitely check it out!
One of the best (and easiest) natural hair growth remedies I’ve found is homemade rosemary water. It’s totally vegan, clean, and made with just a few ingredients you might already have in your kitchen. And let me tell you… this stuff is magic for your scalp.
This blog post may contain affiliate links so I can share my favorite products and earn a small commission at no cost to you!
Why Rosemary Works for Hair Growth
Rosemary isn’t just a fragrant herb for roasted potatoes — it’s also been used for centuries in natural medicine for its ability to:
Stimulate circulation to the scalp, which promotes new hair growth
Strengthen hair follicles
Help reduce shedding and breakage
Soothe irritated, itchy scalps
And even help with dandruff and dryness
One of the active compounds in rosemary, called carnosic acid, has been shown to repair nerve damage and improve blood flow to the scalp — which is huge for hair regrowth.
I like to think of rosemary as a gentle but powerful wake-up call for sleepy hair follicles.
How Much Rosemary to Use
For a single batch:
Use 2–3 sprigs of fresh rosemary that are about 4–6 inches long
Or use 2 tablespoons dried rosemary, which is just as effective!
Don’t worry about being super exact — herbal infusions are flexible. Just avoid using wilted or slimy sprigs, and aim for vibrant, fragrant greens.
Rosemary Water Recipe for Hair Growth 🌿
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes (boil + steep)
Yield: About 12 oz (fills one standard spray bottle)
Shelf life: 7–10 days refrigerated
Ingredients:
2–3 fresh rosemary sprigs (or 2 tablespoons dried rosemary)
2 cups filtered water
Optional: 1–2 drops rosemary essential oil
Optional: 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (for pH balancing and added scalp support)
Instructions:
Boil the water. In a small pot, bring 2 cups of filtered water to a gentle boil.
Add the rosemary. Remove from heat, add the rosemary sprigs, and cover with a lid.
Steep. Let it steep for 10–15 minutes, or until the water turns a light amber color and smells like a forest spa. This gives the rosemary time to infuse its beneficial oils into the water.
Strain. Remove the rosemary sprigs and let the mixture cool completely.
Optional boosters. Add 1–2 drops of rosemary essential oil and/or 1 tsp apple cider vinegar if you want to enhance the benefits. Stir well.
Bottle it up. Pour into your spray bottle(s). Store in the fridge and use within 7–10 days. (You can also freeze extras in ice cube trays!)
How Much Should You Spray? (And Where?)
When it comes to applying your rosemary hair growth spray, here’s how I do it:
Use 8–10 sprays each time, directly onto your scalp, not the lengths of your hair
Focus on thinner or more delicate areas, like around the temples, forehead, and crown
Part your hair in a few places to get access to your scalp underneath, then gently massage it in with your fingertips
I love using this spray before bed, letting it soak in overnight — no rinse needed!
The Best Spray Bottles to Use
Whenever possible, I recommend using glass spray bottles over plastic for a few key reasons:
Glass won’t leach chemicals into your herbal mixture (especially when essential oils are added)
It’s more eco-friendly and reusable
It holds up better in the fridge or freezer
Amber or cobalt blue glass helps protect the infusion from light, which keeps it fresh longer
That said, if you’re just starting out and only have a clean plastic spray bottle, that’s totally fine — just make sure it’s BPA-free and not previously used for cleaning products.
Here are my go-to picks:
16 oz amber glass spray bottle for your main batch
4 oz travel-size bottles for sharing or keeping in your gym bag
This recipe makes about 12 oz of rosemary spray, which fits perfectly in a standard 12 oz glass spray bottle. If you don’t have a 12 oz bottle, you can also split it between two 6 oz bottles or three 4 oz bottles.
Want to make a bigger batch to gift to friends or family?
You can double the recipe using:
4 cups of filtered water
4–6 rosemary sprigs (or 4 tablespoons dried rosemary)
The same steeping instructions. This will give you roughly 24 oz of rosemary spray, enough to fill six 4 oz mini glass bottles or save and reuse empty bottles around your house — so cute for gifts!
Why Add Rosemary Essential Oil
You’ll see it listed as an optional ingredient in the recipe, and here’s why: rosemary essential oil is potent. It takes a massive amount of rosemary leaves — like pounds of plant material — to produce just one tiny bottle of essential oil. That means it’s packed with concentrated plant compounds that go way beyond what we can extract from tea or infusion.
If you choose to add essential oil to your spray, make sure you're getting a 100% pure, therapeutic-grade rosemary essential oil (ideally steam-distilled, and from a reputable brand). Avoid anything that says “fragrance” or “perfume” — those can contain synthetic additives that may do more harm than good for your scalp. And always, always dilute it properly — I recommend just 1–2 drops per batch of this spray.
FAQs About Rosemary Hair Growth
Q: Can I use rosemary that has started to turn brown?
If only a few leaves are brown, just pick them off and use the healthy green sprigs. But if most of the sprig looks wilted, discolored, or has an off smell, it's best to compost it and use fresher rosemary for the best results.
Q: Do I have to use filtered water?
I highly recommend it! Even though NYC tap water is famously good, filtered water is gentler on your hair and scalp and helps extend the shelf life of your spray by reducing the risk of bacteria or chlorine-related irritation.
Q: What’s the point of adding rosemary essential oil?
Rosemary essential oil is like a concentrated boost of everything the fresh herb does. It stimulates blood flow to the scalp and encourages new growth. But it’s very strong, so always dilute it properly. I keep it optional for those with sensitive skin or who prefer a more minimal formula.
Q: Can I use this every day?
You can, but I usually stick to 2–3 times a week so my scalp doesn’t get overwhelmed. Think of it like watering a plant — more isn't always better!
Q: What if I see no change?
Hair growth takes time, especially when it’s connected to nutritional shifts or stress. Stick with it for at least 4–6 weeks. Meanwhile, make sure you’re eating a variety of plant-based proteins, B vitamins, omega-3s, and iron-rich foods — all of which support healthy hair. (P.S. Don’t forget to read my full post on this here if you want a deeper dive into hair health on a vegan diet!)
Q: Could age or genetics be a factor?
Absolutely. I never want to put all the blame on diet alone. Hair thinning can be part of the natural aging process, especially for women. Hormonal changes, genetics, stress, and yes — age — can all play a role in how our hair looks and feels. That’s why it’s so important to support your body from the inside and the outside, and to give yourself grace while you're figuring it out.
Q: Can I use dried rosemary instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Use about 2 tablespoons of dried rosemary, and follow the same steps. It’s just as effective — and sometimes even more convenient.
Q: How should I store it?
Keep it in the fridge in a glass spray bottle if possible. Use within 7–10 days, or freeze leftovers to keep it fresh longer.
Let’s Talk Hair Health
Have you experienced any hair shedding or thinning since going vegan or just as you've gotten older? Have you tried rosemary water for hair growth before — or maybe a DIY hair recipe of your own? I’d love to hear what’s worked for you and if you gave this rosemary potion a try! Did you tweak it? Add your own spin? Let me know in the comments so we can keep learning and growing (literally!) together.
And if you found this post helpful, share it with a fellow VIP—Veginner in Progress, who could use some hair love! 💇♀️
If you enjoyed this blog post, please pay it forward or check out my shop. Use code VEGINNER5 for $5 CASH on me! Proceeds support animal sanctuaries. 🐮🐥🐷 xo, Cheryl
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