Rosemary for hair, rosemary oil for hair – how to use, what properties do they have and what effects do they have?

When looking for natural ways to improve the condition of hair, it is impossible not to pay attention to rosemary – an herb with many care and health-promoting benefits. Rosemary has an extremely rich composition, thanks to which it has played an important role in human activity since ancient times. It has good antiseptic and detoxifying properties, supports immunity and has a beneficial effect on the digestive system. It is also the secret to healthy, beautiful, strong hair. Rosemary oil, rosemary infusions and rosemary extracts are raw materials that should be of interest to those who want to eliminate scalp imperfections and comprehensively improve the appearance of their hairstyle. Learn the secrets of rosemary and see how to use it in hair care!

Rosemary – what is this plant? A unique herb native to the Mediterranean basin

Rosemary(Rosmarinus officinalis) is a plant with green-gray, needle-like leaves and an intense, distinctive fragrance that has been used for centuries in both European and Asian medicine. In addition to being a valued herb that fights many ailments, it is also an unusual culinary addition, without which many dishes, such as French and Italian dishes, could not do without. However, rosemary is also a natural treasure when it comes to skin and hair care.

Rosemary is an evergreen shrub of the light family (Lamiaceae) with roots in Mediterranean countries. It is found in Italy, France, Turkey, Tunisia, Portugal, Spain and Cyprus, among others. It was cultivated as early as ancient Rome and Greece, today large plantations of rosemary can be found in France, Spain, Morocco, Mexico, the United States, among others.

In its wild state, rosemary grows primarily on rocky mountain slopes and in coastal areas. The plant prefers sunny sites and well-drained, loose, light soil.

Rosemary is a perennial plant with a strongly developed root system. Its older shoots are woody, and the young ones are vivid green in color. Narrow needle-like leaves grow on the shoots. They are dark green or grayish in color. They are very aromatic, and their scent is a peculiar combination of resinous and herbal chords.

Rosemary flowers are small and are purple, blue, pink or white in color. Their fragrance strongly attracts bees. Because of the showy and unusual appearance of its leaves and flowers, rosemary is often used as a decorative plant. It decorates gardens, and in miniature varieties it also appears in homes.

Rosemary is a spice, medicinal and cosmetic plant. Its uses are wide and varied. As for the culinary world, rosemary is an integral part of Mediterranean cuisine. Its intense aroma and slightly spicy, bitter, resinous flavor are assets that make it a perfect match for meat, fish, vegetable and potato dishes, as well as herbal marinades and sauces.

In medicine, rosemary has been present since ancient times. It was often used in folk medicine for, among other things, its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and digestive stimulating properties. In cosmetics, rosemary oil, obtained by steam distillation of leaves and flowers, is of particular importance. It is valued for, among other things, its effect on stimulating hair growth, soothing skin problems and improving blood circulation in the skin.

Rosemary – composition. A panorama of terpenes, organic acids and other valuable substances

Rosemary, this Mediterranean shrub with an unremarkable appearance and aroma, is extremely rich in biologically active compounds. Among them, the essential oil and its numerous components, including monoterpenes, diterpenes and triterpenes, play a special role. Rosemary also contains large amounts of rosmarinic acid, thanks to which the herb has such a beneficial effect on the condition of hair and skin.

Rosemary’s most important active ingredients:

• Terpenes (eucalyptol, carnosol, camphor, camphene, borneol, pinene, geraniol, karwakrol, cineol, eugenol) – have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, support the health of the scalpof the head, cleanse the skin, improve blood circulation, counteract infections, inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi, and stimulate hair growth.

• Phenolic acids, including rosmarinic acid – ingredients that make rosemary extremely valuable in hair and skin care. Rosmarinic acid stimulates tissue regeneration, soothes irritation, fights microorganisms. It has antioxidant properties. It protects hair and scalp from free radicals, which can lead to cellular damage and aging of skin and hair.

• Flavonoids (luteolin, diosmetin, apigenin, genkvanin) – exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, protective and vascular strengthening properties.

• Carnosic acid – has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant effects, reduces the risk of infections, supports the fight against dandruff and inflammation of the scalp.

• Phytosterols – have protective, moisturizing, soothing and revitalizing properties for the skin, help normalize sebum production, strengthen hair follicles. They also support the circulatory system and normalize cholesterol levels.

• Tannins – have antibacterial, cleansing and astringent properties, inhibit excessive greasiness of hair.

Rosemary – properties and uses in natural medicine

Rosemary has a rich tradition in natural medicine. Rosemary infusions have been used for digestive problems, headaches, colds and infections, among other things. The main medicinal raw material is rosemary leaf. From the flowers and leaves, rosemary oil is extracted, which is also a valued ingredient in phytotherapy. Rosemary oil is used in massages and poultices to reduce pains of various origins, relax the body and improve blood circulation.

The most important health-promoting properties of rosemary:

• Improving memory and concentration – rosemary is one of the most valuable plants for improving brain function. It stimulates neuronal activity, improves thought processes, brightens the mind and increases the ability to remember information.

• Supporting the digestive system and biliary tract – stimulates digestive processes, improves intestinal motility, stimulates the secretion of gastric juice.o³ stomach, counteracts intestinal spasms, relieves stomach discomfort, flatulence, intestinal gas, indigestion, nausea. It also has a cholagogic effect and fights complaints from the bile ducts.

• Anti-inflammation – rosemary contains a rich array of substances with anti-inflammatory effects, such as carnosic acid, carnosol, rosmarinic acid and eucalyptol. It reduces the activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines, making it effective against a variety of inflammatory ailments, such as urinary tract infections, arthritis, respiratory infections, skin infections.

• Strengthening the immune system – rosemary and rosemary oil modulate the activity of the immune system and improve the body’s defense responses in contact with pathogens. They have antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal properties. They also exhibit antioxidant activity, thus protecting cells from free radical damage.

• Reducing stress and fatigue – the aroma of rosemary is known for its relaxing andde-stressing properties. Aromatherapy with rosemary oil is a remedy for stress, mental and physical fatigue, mood swings, irritability, anxiety and high nervous tension.

• Reducing therisk of diseases of civilization – rosemary slows down the aging process and helps counteract diseases of civilization, including neurodegenerative diseases, heart disease, diabetes. It helps regulate blood cholesterol levels, also increases insulin secretion while reducing blood glucose levels, helps stabilize blood pressure. It owes its valuable properties to its high content of antioxidant compounds.

Cosmetic properties of rosemary. Rosemary in skin care

Rosemary is an irreplaceable source of beneficial bio-substances that penetrate deep into the skin, nourishing and restoring it. It stimulates circulation in the skin, taking care of its better oxygenation and nourishment.

It neutralizes harmful free radicals and inhibits the aging process of skin cells. Its valuable properties also include regulating the sebaceous glands, making it a very valuable resource for seborrhea problems.

Cosmetics containing rosemary extracts or rosemary oil show antiseptic and antibacterial effects, while reducing irritation and swelling. Since rosemary effectively cleanses and detoxifies the skin and inhibits the growth of microorganisms, while having a soothing effect on the skin, it is recommended for acne-prone and blackhead-prone skin.

Rosemary will also be appreciated by those who observe signs of aging on their face, such as wrinkles, loss of firmness, unhealthy skin tone. The herb effectively improves blood supply to the skin, slightly lightens hyperpigmentation, improves skin tone and elasticity, moisturizes, nourishes and exhibits regenerative properties.

Rosemary for hair – properties and effects

More and more is being said about the phenomenal effect of rosemary on hair. This herb has such a composition of active ingredients that it is able to cope with a variety of hair problems. On the one hand, it stimulates blood circulation in the scalp, taking care of the intensive supply of oxygen and nutrients to the hair roots and follicles, and on the other hand, it takes care of the hair in a multifaceted way along its entire length.

Properties of rosemary that place it among the top herbs useful in improving the condition of hair and scalp:

• stimulation of microcirculation in the scalp,
• quick and effective cleansing of the scalp of impurities,
• reducing sebaceous gland activity, reducing seborrhea,
• strengthening hair structure,
• nourishing and moisturizing the scalp and hair,
• protecting cells from damage, counteracting aging of the scalp and hair,
• alleviating inflammation of the scalp,
• supporting the treatment of androgenetic alopecia,
• combating bacteria and fungi responsible for scalp infections,
• imparting shine and a healthy appearance to the hair,
• supporting the regeneration of skin cells.

Rosemary for gray hair

Rosemary should be paid attention to by those who want to mask gray hair with the help of natural ingredients, as well as those who want to inhibit the process of graying hair. This herb stimulates blood circulation within the hair structures, nourishes the roots and activates melanocytes, the cells responsible for hair pigmentation.

Thanks to these actions, it reduces the visibility of gray hair, while preventing the loss of natural hair color and the formation of new gray hair. Rosemary is also a rich source of antioxidants that inhibit the aging process of hair.

To cover up gray hair and inhibit the graying process, we can use rosemary rinses or rubs, or rosemary oil hair treatments.

Rosemary for hair loss

Rosemary is one of the best herbs for reducing hair loss. The herb strengthens and fortifies hair follicles and improves the functioning of follicles. It counteracts the shortening of the hair’s life cycle and premature hair loss. The antioxidants, antibacterial and antifungal components present in it combat conditions of the hair and scalp, which also reduces hair loss.

Rosemary is abundant in substances that improve blood circulation in the scalp, which helps deliver nutrients to the hair follicles.

Moreover, rosemary oil can block the production of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is one of the factors leading to androgenetic alopecia in men. Thanks to these properties, regular application of rosemary or rosemary oil to the scalp (e.g. in the form of rubs) can help strengthen hair, prevent hair loss and improve its overall condition.

Rosemary for hair growth

Rosemary is effective in accelerating and stimulating hair growth, which is why it is increasingly catching the eye of those aiming to quickly grow a lush hairstyle. The substances contained in rosemary, such as eucalyptol, rosmarinic acid, carnosic acid and carnosol, play an important role in stimulating hair follicles. They improve blood circulation in the scalp, thus increasing the transport of nutrients to the hair follicles, which in turn makes hair grow faster and stronger.

Regularly rubbing rosemary concoctions into the scalp will result in faster growing hair, thicker hair, healthier looking hair and more disciplined strands.

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Rosemary for dandruff

Rosemary moisturizes the scalp, prevents dryness of the skin, prevents the growth of fungi, regulates the sebaceous glands, inhibits oiliness, cleanses the skin and hair. With these properties, it can be a valuable alternative to ready-made cosmetics and anti-dandruff pharmaceuticals.

How to use rosemary for hair and scalp – best ways, recipes

When creating homemade hair cosmetics with rosemary, it is worth betting on rubs or rinses.

Rinses condition hair, improve its appearance, add shine, improve color, but also have a strengthening and revitalizing effect on the hair structure. The rubs “nourish” the hair from the inside, strengthening and promoting reconstruction.

Another way to care for hair with rosemary is to oil the hair with rosemary oil (due to its high intensity, it should be diluted with another oil). Such treatments have a nourishing, moisturizing and regenerative effect. They cause the hair scales to close and smooth the hair along its length. They also add shine and bounce to the hair.

Why are rubs one of the best ways to improve the condition of the scalp, strengthen hair and stimulate hair growth? Because they contain a high concentration of active ingredients, which are rubbed directly into the skin. This allows them to reach the hair matrix, which is where hair growth and development begins.

Thanks to systematic rubbing in, more hair is created in the roots. What’s more, the hair is more solidly anchored, stronger, healthier, and the scalp functions better, is free of microorganisms and healthier.

Homemade rosemary rub

Pour 250 ml of boiling water over 3 tablespoons of dried rosemary. We brew under a cover for about 20 minutes. Strain the infusion, cool and pour into an atomizer bottle. Store in the refrigerator for a maximum of 7 days. After each hair wash, spray the infusion into the scalp and on the hair. Lightly massage into the scalp. Do not rinse.

A simple rinse of rosemary infusion

Pour 200 ml of boiling water over 2 tablespoons of rosemary leaves. After 15 minutes, strain and pour the liquid into a large bowl. We add some warm water, so that we can freely immerse the whole hair in it. After shampooing, we soak our hair in the rinse for 3-4 minutes. Do not rinse.

How to use rosemary oil on hair?

Combine 3-4 drops of rosemary oil with 1 tablespoon of another oil (such as argan, jojoba, olive oil). Distribute on the hair and scalp. Massage the scalp gently for a while. After 15-20 minutes, rinse hair profusely with water.

Nourishing homemade rosemary oil

We will prepare rosemary oil by blending a handful of rosemary sprigs, then putting the slurry into a jar and pouring a glass of olive oil. We can also use dried rosemary leaves (1.5 cups of leaves per 1 cup of olive oil). We place the vessel with the oil for a month in a dark and dry place. After this time we strain it. The specific is ready for use.