Essential Oils for Hair Growth
Do essential oils stimulate hair growth? Yes! This 1998 study shows how a mixture of jojoba and essential oils were used to stimulate new hair growth in 44% of patients with alopecia areata. This natural hair growth treatment worked for men and women. I’m going to share how to make the same essential oil infused recipe used in this study to help you regrow your hair.
The Recipe: Essential Oils for Hair Growth
This recipe uses the exact same ingredients in the study mentioned above. Hopefully by using these essential oils for hair growth you will see the hair growth just like the patients in this study!
- 1.5 TBS Jojoba Oil
- 2 drops Cedarwood
- 2 drops Thyme
- 3 drops Lavender
- 3 drops Rosemary
- Combine ingredients in a glass jar.
- Mix everything together with a spoon or your finger.
- Take 5-10 minutes to thoroughly massage oils into scalp. Enjoy this process! A thorough massage increases circulation to the hair follicle.
ProTip: Add these essential oils to your shampoo and conditioner for extra hair growth stimulation!
Discover the 5 Essential Habits for Hair Growth
Essential Oil Application Process
Once you combine your essential oils for hair growth, lovingly apply the mixture to your scalp. Dip your fingertips into the oil mixture and massage the oil into your scalp using this scalp massage method. Do whatever feels good here. I’ve found I like to grab a fistful of hair and gently tug once the oil has been evenly distributed.
Once you have applied the mixture over your entire scalp, let the oils soak in for at least 20 minutes. This is a good time to find something inspirational to read, take deep belly breaths, strut your stuff around the house, do whatever makes you feel vibrant. I usually plan the essential oils for hair growth treatment on the same day I intend to wash my hair with my hair growth shampoo – but you can also leave the treatment in over night for deep penetrating moisture. If your scalp could talk, it would say “yes, please and thank you!”
Protect Your PJ’s!
Just a word of caution… I know you know, but I gotta say it; oil and clothing don’t mix. (Why am I always re-learning this?) Choose a ‘special’ set of clothing for your oil treatments, one that you don’t mind staining with grease. Unless you know you’re ridiculously careful, in which case, wear an evening gown, I trust you completely. 
Stress and the Immune System
Treating the scalp directly has been shown to improve hair growth, but in true holistic fashion, I encourage you to look beneath the surface for the root cause for hair loss. This study looked specifically at alopecia areata, an inflammation driven, immune response that attacks the hair follicle.
Studies have found that psychological stress contributes to alopecia areata and can limit hair growth. Whether you’re facing a wild animal or worried about hair loss, your body responds to the perceived threat by activating the sympathetic nervous system, releasing adrenaline and cortisol- two chemicals linked to increased inflammation in the scalp.
In addition to topical treatments like the essential oil recipe above, reducing and releasing stress are excellent ways to support hair growth holistically!
>> Did you try this recipe? How did it feel? Let me know in the comment section below!
11 thoughts on “Essential Oils for Hair Growth”
I have a scalp oil that consistent of golden jojoba seed oil, almond dead oil, distilled peperrmint leaf essential oil and rosemary. Is this oil sufficient for stimulation and growth. I have PCOS hairloss/hormonal.
Hi Nia! Yes. Clinical tests have shown that rosemary essential oil stimulates hair growth. The study I cite evaluates patients with Alopecia Areata (an auto-immune response which is exacerbated by stress). Addressing emotional stress is a HUGE factor in healing from hair loss of all kinds, especially PCOS. I hypothesize that study participants were soothed by the aromatic qualities and potentially the touch of the clinician. The oil treatment will hydrate and protect your hair from the root up while the essential oils stimulate vital blood flow and give you an invitation to relax and breathe deeply. (FYI: the study utilized a blend of thyme, rosemary, lavender, and cedar wood in a mixture of jojoba and grapeseed oil)
All the best to you!
-Cassy
I had a very small heavy plastic spray bottle that I used. I think it once contained eye glass cleaner. Anyway, I used it to apply the oil to really cover all of my scalp, then used my finger tips to really massage in well. This technique seemed to work very well. I just did it a couple days ago, and it felt great!
That’s so great to hear! Scalp massage helps stimulate blood flow while giving you a chance to breathe deeply and release stress. Way to go girl!! <3/ Cassy
How long before seeing results? How many times per week? Do you put whole amount on everytime?
Hello Laura!
Yes, you should use the entire amount every time. Massage the oils into your scalp for a minimum of 2 minutes, then wrap a warm towel around your head to aid absorption of the oils. Patients in the study were advised to use this technique every night for 7 months. Overall, 44% of patients with alopecia areata showed improvement!
I also recommend taking a close look at your protein intake. Your body builds hair from the protein you eat so if you aren’t getting enough protein, hair growth will be limited. Check out this protein calculator to get a general idea of what your body needs: http://www.calculator.net/protein-calculator.html (Aim for the upper half of the recommended range!)
How often should this treatment be used?
The patients in this study were advised to use the oil treatment every night for seven months. Overall, 44% of patients with alopecia areata showed improvement! There multiple ways his therapy can contribute to hair growth, from nourishing the shaft and soothing the nervous system. The carrier oil (jojoba in this case) can strengthen and restore dry and damaged hair, which slows hair loss at scalp level. The time spent massaging the treatment into your scalp helps to increase blood flow to your hair follicles. Hair growth depends on health blood flow! Stimulating blood flow at the scalp delivers the necessary nutrients for hair growth. Additionally, the essential oils included in this blend are known to calm the nervous system. Entering a calm and relaxed state facilitates hair growth by turning off the fight/flight response. You can learn more about the relationship between chronic stress and hair loss here: https://growbackgirl.com/hair-growth-vitamins-best-multivitamin-for-hair-loss/
Every night for 7 months is a little too intense for me 🙂 I don’t have alopecia areata, but I do have very thin, fine hair. Do you know of a modified schedule that will still be effective for me? Thank you!
Great question Amy!
I’m so glad you brought this up, there are many other women in your exact situation. It’s important to keep your routine simple and manageable, because getting worked-up and overwhelmed will only perpetuate hair loss. I used your question as the prompt for my latest blog post, check it out here: https://growbackgirl.com/thick-hair-magic-top-5-thin-to-thick-hair-tricks/
Many blessings in 2019!
Thank you Liza!
I’m so glad this is helpful 🙂