The latest TikTok fashion featuring a range of essential oils such as rosemary as a hair-healthy hack claims that applying plant extracts on the hair strands and scalp produces the growth of your hair shine. The video-sharing platform is advertising the benefits of a plant-based recipe to increase hair growth in rosemary water.
#rosemarywater has racked up 609.8 million views. Rosemary Water has garnered 609.8 million views, with the individual videos racking up millions of views each. Most videos show models displaying their beautiful long, healthy locks and apologizing for their hair’s health with a simple recipe of boiling rosemary leaves and water.
“Rosemary water is the new rice water,” @audreyvictoria (2.3M followers) declares in a 10-second video in which she smothers her hair with a homemade slush. “I used rosemary water on my hair for seven days, and the results were shocking,” @beautybypriscila (21.5K followers) declares in a post with 2.2 million views. She claims her hair has grown “half an inch” in one week.
In one video that has been viewed more than 17 million times, the hair influencer @jonathankmonroe (2.3M followers) claims that rubbing rosemary-infused water “haircicles” (rosemary water poured into a silicone mold and then frozen) in the hair “can reduce hair loss and boost hair growth” and enhance shine. “Make sure you hit your scalp to improve follicle circulation for maximum growth,” he says.
An additional user, @katyaniomi (195.8K followers), insists that there’s even research-based evidence to support rosemary water to promote hair growth. “A study has shown that this is comparable to 2 percent minoxidil,” she states in the video, which has been viewed more than 3 million times. “Minoxidil is one of the only things scientifically proven for hair growth and the stop of hair loss.”
However, just because it’s trending in TikTok does not mean rosemary water is a complete solution for boosting hair growth and shine. In the past, we’ve seen trends in hair care like this get a lot of attention on social media, but without scientific proof and long-term studies to verify its effectiveness for all types of hair or conditions that cause hair loss. So making use of TikTok for advice on hair care rather than seeking advice from a dermatologist who is board certified isn’t recommended.
With this warning in mind, continue reading to learn how to use rosemary-infused water, the research behind its claims, and whether it could benefit your routine for hair care.
What Is Rosemary Water?
The process of creating rosemary water involves the incubation of rosemary plants in water. The result is in an infused liquid, the explanation of Michelle F. Henry, MD, a dermatologist board-certified in New York City and clinical instructor in dermatology classes at Weill Cornell Medical College.
In her video, Niomi provides a recipe for making rosemary water. She says she adds 5 cups of water and five buds of rosemary (1 bud for each 1 cup water) to a pot on medium-high heat. “Once the water is boiling, you will leave it for 15 minutes.” After that, switch off the heating and let the mixture remain inside the pot for about 25 minutes until it has a “pinkish-reddish hue.” Then, strain the product into a bottle, taking out all rosemary stems. It can then be stored in a refrigerator and used within one to two weeks.
For how to apply it, It is said that certain TikTokers recommend spraying it on the hair and then saturating it with the scalp and hair roots, and others suggest spraying it onto. “Use as a last step rinse in shower hair-care routine,” advises Niomi.
What Experts Are Saying About Rosemary Water for Hair Health
Is rosemary water the magic remedy TikTokers claim? Here’s what experts have told us.
Rosemary Water May Promote Hair Growth
There has been some research that supports rosemary’s ability to increase hair growth. This is in addition to the study published in 2015, which Niomi was referring to, which showed rosemary oil was just as effective as minoxidil 2 percent after six months. The results of a smaller study released in 2013 proved the rosemary leaf extract’s capacity to encourage hair growth for those suffering from androgenetic hair loss.
In contrast, Michelle Ornstein who is an esthetician, and director Enessa Skincare, an esthetician and the founder of Enessa Skincare in Los Angeles, clarifies that there is a significant distinction in the power of essential oils or extracts utilized in the studies as well as DIY water.
“The process of making an essential oil is to use professional, sterile equipment at controlled temperatures to achieve effective results, as opposed to boiling a plant that has the nutrients cooked out of it with high temperatures and evaporation under conditions that are not uniform,” Ornstein clarifies.
For essential oils, the method of removing the highly concentrated oils from plants is steam distillation. This is carried out without causing overheating or the appearance of a “burned” oil. “The result of distilling this essential oil hydrolat, or hydrosol. It is less concentrated and a water-based product that offers many of the same advantages as the essential oil; however, it is smaller and less concentrated,” she states.
In addition, the efficacy of rosemary oil or water depends upon its ingredients’ purity, Ornstein adds. “In other words, they must be organic or wildcrafted and from reliable sources,” she explains.
But, even looking at the advantages of rosemary’s more potent essential oil Dr. Henry maintains that more research is required to establish a definitive link. The available studies are early and need to indicate long-term, classic advantages. There aren’t any existing studies specifically evaluating rosemary water for hair health.
It’s also important to know that essential oils aren’t controlled in any way by The U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Always seek a certified aromatherapist or integrative professional before applying any essential oil or extract-based products, even if they are homemade for your hair or the body.
Rosemary Water May Improve Scalp Health
Healthy hair typically begins by having a clean scalp, and rosemary oil might provide some benefits.
Participants in the study 2015 who used rosemary oils were more likely to have scalp itching than the minoxidil group. Ornstein says rosemary oil has been recognized to be rich in antifungal and antibacterial properties and could be beneficial in fighting hair dandruff and other scalp issues.
Henry states that the research studies that specifically focus on the effects of rosemary oil on the health of the scalp are less extensive and, again, concentrate on rosemary oil rather than the water from rosemary. Researching and knowing the possible connection between rosemary water and your scalp’s health is necessary.
Rosemary Water May Hydrate the Hair
According to Henry, the author, no evidence supports the idea that the water from rosemary hydrates hair. “Rosemary itself doesn’t have inherent hydrating properties,” she claims. But, “when used with carrier oils or hair products, it may contribute to overall hair and scalp moisturization.”
Research on rosemary water is not available; however, it is necessary to back the claims of TikTokers claim.
Rosemary Water Makes Hair Shiny
While rosemary oil could temporarily give shine to hair after application, Henry isn’t convinced that rosemary oil can improve hair shine in the long term. There is no evidence to support it. “It may enhance the hair’s appearance by adding a lustrous sheen, but the effect is temporary and can vary based on individual hair characteristics,” she says.
Who Might Want to Try (and Avoid) the Rosemary Water Trend?
Hair that is healthy for most people and has no scalp issues can add rosemary water to their hair-care routine. Regarding adverse negative effects, rosemary oils are generally considered safe for topical treatment.
But, Henry notes that some people may suffer from sensitivities or allergies to it. Itching and irritation can be the result of using oils of rosemary on the scalp of certain people. Speaking with a licensed aromatherapist, integrative physician, or dermatologist before making any new changes is essential. Additionally, “conducting a patch test before applying rosemary oil or water to the entire scalp or hair is advisable,” Henry says. Henry.
Furthermore, frequent usage or excessive concentrations of essential oils, like rosemary oil, can cause skin irritations and allergies.
People with particular hair or scalp problems should exercise caution. “It’s always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional or a dermatologist before trying any new product or treatment, particularly if there are underlying scalp conditions or sensitivities,” Henry says.
In addition, anyone taking supplements to treat hair loss or who is currently treating for hair loss using medications does not attempt rosemary oil or rosemary water because specific contraindications could occur.
The Bottom Line on the Rosemary Water for Hair Health
In conclusion, even though rosemary oil may be linked with several benefits related to hair, scientific evidence to support its efficacy needs more proof from a scientific study of rosemary water’s effects on hair health.
Henry claims that rosemary water could be beneficial anecdotally on hair health, scalp growth, and the appearance of hair. “However, individual results may vary, and it’s important to consider personal hair characteristics and potential allergies, and seek professional advice before trying any new hair-care trend,” she says.