Essential oils for hair can be used to stimulate growth and nourish your hair. Must have got antibacterial and antifungal properties which can help treat skin infections such as dandruff. They can aid in strengthening, thickening, and improving the texture and appearance of your hair.
Essential oils will not only benefit your hair, but they can also enhance your health by reducing stress, balancing hormones, as well as fight skin infections.
These oils are cost-effective and natural with minimal side effects; hence you will not be exposing your body and your home to dangerous chemicals.
Here are the 10 best essential oils for Hair growth.
1.Rosemary.
Rosemary is my favorite essential oil for hair growth. Not only does it smell great but it helps to thicken and speed up growth.
In a 2015 study, researchers proved that the topical application of rosemary oil on the scalp was useful for treating hair loss and preventing baldness just like minoxidil a conventional hair growth treatment.
Apart from preventing hair loss, rosemary oil can help reduce the greying of hair. It also helps to prevent drying and scaling of the scalp which causes dandruff and itching. It can minimize hair breakage and add shine to your hair.
Mix 4 drops of rosemary essential oil to 1 tablespoon olive oil or castor oil, and massage on your scalp. Leave on your hair for 2-4 hours or leave overnight and shampoo your hair. You can as well add rosemary to your shampoo to boost growth and reduce dandruff.
2.Lavender
This essential oil is an excellent essential oil for stimulating hair growth. It has antibacterial as well as antifungal properties which makes it great for treating dandruff, reducing itching, and thickening hair.
Lavender has also been useful for treating and preventing head lice when mixed with tea tree essential oil. Follow good hygiene standards and apply them topically on your scalp as well as the skin to prevent the insects from breeding on your hair.
Lavender is excellent for people with oily hair as it helps to reduce and balance sebum production on the scalp.
For head lice, combine 10 drops of lavender with 5 tea tree essential oil and apply on your scalp and hair. Tuck your hair in a shower cap and leave for 1-2 hours then shampoo and dry your hair. Add these oils to your regular shampoo too.
Read more: 20 incredible uses and Benefits of Lavender Oil
3.Eucalyptus essential oil for hair growth
This oil is excellent for strengthening and nourishing your hair strands. Eucalyptus is known for promoting blood flow on the scalp stimulates the hair follicles which enhances growth.
It has antifungal and antiseptic properties which makes it vital for cleaning and preventing any buildup of germs in the hair follicles. Therefore it can stop and treat dandruff, as well as reduce itching on the scalp.
Add ten drops of eucalyptus, and five drops of lavender to 1 tablespoon coconut oil and massage on your scalp. Let it stay for 2 hours then shampoo.
4.Peppermint
Peppermint is great for stimulating hair growth. It can promote blood flow on the scalp which helps to provide nutrients and shine to your hair. It also protects hair from breakage or drying.
One study shows that topical application of peppermint essential oil can promote the rapid growth of hair follicles on rat skin. It also increased the thickness of hair after only four weeks of its application without causing any side effects.
Peppermint oil also has antimicrobial and antiseptic properties which makes it great for clarifying the scalp and preventing itching and dandruff.
Peppermint has a calming and tranquilizing effect which helps to improve your moods, relieve stress and depression-conditions which can impact your hair growth negatively.
Add a few drops to your hair shampoo and or conditioner and use each time you wash your hair.
5.Carrot seed oil
Carrot seed oil is packed with high levels of antioxidants and has a delightful smell. It can stimulate blood circulation around the hair follicles and promote growth. When applied on the scalp and hair, making it soft and shiny.
Carrot oil also works well at strengthening the hair root, preventing breakage and split ends by keeping moisture in the shaft. It is excellent for doing hot oil hair treatment, especially when applied on dry hair.
Put 4 drops to ½ cup olive oil, heat, and massage on your scalp. Let your hair stay under a shower cap for at least 2 hours or even overnight then shampoo and dry your hair. Your hair will feel soft and moisturized.
6.Clary sage
This oil great for strengthening and moisturizing dry, brittle hair that is prone to breakage. It also helps to stop split ends and balance sebum production on the scalp. It also helps to promote blood circulation on the scalp which promotes hair growth.
Clary sage has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties which help to prevent germs and inflammation on the scalp which can cause irritations.
Add 4 drops to your shampoo or conditioner and use it whenever you wash your hair. You can also add it to a carrier oil and apply it on your scalp and hair twice a week.
7.Tea tree essential oil for hair growth.
This oil is useful for promoting blood circulation around the hair follicles which can stimulate growth when applied on the scalp.
Tea tree also contains antibacterial and antifungal properties which help to unclog the skin pores and, treat any skin or fungal infections that can prevent hair growth.
Combine 10 drops of tea tree oil in your shampoo or conditioner and use it to wash your hair to treat and prevent dandruff. You can also add it to your hair oil.
Read more:30 Amazing uses of essential oils
8.cedarwood
Cedarwood has a pleasant woody smell from cedar wood tree. It is great for stimulating hair follicles and enhancing blood flow to the scalp which promotes hair growth.
Cedarwood oil also has antifungal properties that help to treat fungal infections and dandruff on the scalp. It helps to nourish and make your hair look shiny and healthier.
Add 10-15 drops to your shampoo to promote hair growth. You can also mix it with pure castor oil and coconut oil for your hot oil hair treatment. Massage on the scalp, cover with a shower cap, and wash off after 2-4 hours.
Mix it with your hair oil and apply on your scalp at least twice a week.
9.ylang ylang
This oil is excellent for dry hair. It stimulates the production of sebum on the scalp which helps to moisturize the hair and prevent breakage. Ylang-ylang helps to minimize breakage and reduce split ends from damaging the hair and makes it look healthier.
It has antibacterial in addition to anti-inflammatory properties which help to prevent bacteria and skin infections which can contribute to hair loss.
Warm 4 tablespoon coconut oil, 2 tablespoons sweet almond oil and 4 tablespoon castor oil then add 10 drops of ylang-ylang oil and 8 drops of eucalyptus or lavender essential oil and combine well.
Rub the oil mixture on your scalp and hair and leave covered with a shower cap for 3-4 hours and shampoo then dry.
10.Lemon essential oil
Lemon oil helps to stimulate and strengthen the hair follicles. It also promotes blood flow on the scalp which increases hair growth.
It has antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties which help to reduce itching and dandruff from the scalp. Besides it also cleans and unclogs the skin pores to prevent the accumulation of dirt and bacteria which can cause infections.
Lemon oil can also prevent drying and split ends from the hair by making it moisturized and frizz-free. It also helps to add extra shine to your hair.
Add lemon essential oil to your hot oil hair treatment to and massage, then wash off with shampoo. You can as well add it to your shampoo or conditioner to boost growth and reduce dandruff.
Practical ways to use essential oils for hair growth
1. Add these essential oils for hair growth to your shampoo or conditioner.
Combine the essential oil(s) with your shampoo or conditioner and use the mixture to wash or condition your hair. You can also place a few drops of essential oils to your leave-in conditioners for extra shine.
2.Hot oil treatment.
Mix the essential oil (s) of your choice with two or three hot carrier oils then massage on your hair and scalp.
Tuck your hair with a shower cap or a plastic wrap and let it stay for 2-4 hours. Shampoo your hair and condition your hair. Do this treatment once a week to enhance growth.
3. Add essential oils for hair growth to your hair oil.
You can add a pour a few drops of your favorite essential oils to your carrier hair oil to make them healthier.
Apply the oils twice or thrice a week to prevent to moisturize and condition your hair. Please do not combine so many oils; they may become ineffective and can also make your hair too oily.
Recipes
For dry hair
½ cup Coconut oil
½ cup Sweet almond
10-15 drops ylang-ylang oil
or
½ cup Jojoba oil /Argan oil
10 drops Rosemary/ clary sage
½ cup Olive oil
For oily hair
½ cup Coconut oil
15 drops Cedarwood oil
¼ cup olive oil
Or
½ cup of coconut oil
15 drops tea tree oil
Olive oil /avocado oil
3.Hair Rinse
You can add a few drops of any essential oil of your choice to your final rinse water to help retain moisture and add shine to your hair.
How to use essential oils safely.
Essential oils have very minimal side effects and are cost-effective to use. Make sure you read the instructions before using them to avoid any accidents or reactions.
If you are going to use them on your skin, make sure to dilute them with a carrier oil and remember to do a skin test on a small area on your palms. In case you experience any adverse reaction or irritation, rinse it off and do not use the oil.
In case, the oil comes into contact with your eyes, rinse it off in clean running water.
