Meet Rosemary
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus, formerly Rosmarinus officinalis) is an aromatic evergreen native to the Mediterranean.
It's also exactly the kind of plant I find fascinating.
Rosemary is hardy. It thrives in sunshine and relatively dry conditions. Its narrow, leathery leaves are well suited to conserving moisture.
Maybe that's part of why I feel so drawn to it.
At OCASA, I'm constantly inspired by plants that know how to live in demanding environments.
But rosemary's story goes far beyond resilience.
For generations, rosemary has appeared in traditional preparations for the hair and scalp. Today, modern researchers are beginning to investigate some of those traditional uses more closely.
What Does the Research Actually Say About Rosemary and Hair?
Rosemary isn't a miracle cure for hair loss.
But there is some interesting human research.
A frequently cited 2015 randomized comparative trial followed 100 people with androgenetic alopecia for six months. Participants were assigned either rosemary oil or 2% minoxidil.
At three months, neither group showed a significant change in hair count. At six months, both groups showed a significant increase from baseline, and researchers found no statistically significant difference in hair count between the two groups.
That doesn't mean we can simply say “rosemary works exactly like Rogaine.”
It was one relatively small study involving a particular form of hair loss, and much more research is needed.
What it does tell us is that rosemary is more than an internet hair-care trend. There is enough evidence behind this traditional herb to make continued research genuinely interesting.
And I find that intersection—traditional herbal knowledge meeting modern research—fascinating.
Rosemary Isn't the Only Herb in My Hair Ritual
Rosemary may be the star of this story, but our Botanical Hair Oil brings several herbs together.
Three in particular have long histories in herbal hair and scalp preparations:
Rosemary
Rosemary has traditionally been used in hair and scalp preparations, and preliminary human research has explored its potential role in supporting hair growth.
Peppermint
Peppermint brings that unmistakable cooling, invigorating feeling to a scalp ritual.
A frequently referenced 2014 study found promising hair-growth effects from peppermint essential oil—but this research was performed in mice, not humans.
That's an important distinction.
Animal research can help scientists identify interesting areas for future study, but it doesn't mean we can promise the same outcome in people.
Lavender
Lavender also has a long history in traditional hair and scalp preparations.
Research involving lavender and hair growth is still limited. Some animal research and small human studies involving blends of essential oils have produced interesting results, but again, I prefer to treat that research as promising rather than proof that lavender alone grows hair.
This is how I prefer to approach herbalism.
The Ancient Ritual of Hair Oiling
Hair oiling certainly isn't something social media invented.
Oil-based hair and scalp rituals have deep cultural roots, particularly in India, and oils have been used across cultures for generations to condition the hair and scalp.
A 2022 review in the International Journal of Trichology discusses the longstanding use of hair oils and notes that their most established role is as emollients—helping condition, soften and improve the feel and appearance of hair.
Different botanical oils also behave differently on the hair.
This is one reason I didn't want our hair oil to simply be “rosemary in a bottle.”
I wanted to build an actual botanical oil ritual.
What's Inside Our Rosemary-Infused Hair Oil?
Our formula brings together seven botanical oils and eight herbs.
The oil base includes:
- Jojoba
- Baobab
- Castor
- Marula
- Argan
- Moringa
- Pumpkin seed
Into those oils, we bring a botanical blend including:
- Rosemary
- Peppermint
- Lavender
- Horsetail
- Marshmallow root
- Neem
- Nettle
- Hops
Rather than thinking of the formula as a miracle “hair growth oil,” I think of it as something much more grounded:
A deeply nourishing herbal ritual for the scalp, roots and hair.
I especially love it for dry scalps and dull, thirsty-looking hair.
Hair Elixir or Hair Oil: What's the Difference?
This is probably the question I get most often.
Both rituals feature rosemary, but I use them differently.
Rosemary Hair Elixir
This is my lightweight scalp ritual.
I mist it directly onto my scalp about 2–3 times per week and massage it in. It doesn't leave my hair feeling coated in oil, so it's easy for me to incorporate into normal life.
This is also the formula I was consistently testing during the period when I noticed the change in my own hair.
Rosemary-Infused Hair Oil
This is my deeper pre-shampoo ritual.
I massage a small amount into the scalp and work it through the hair, leave it on for approximately 20–30 minutes, then shampoo.
I reach for this when my scalp and hair need more nourishment—especially living in a dry climate.
Sometimes I'll use both throughout the week.
Don't Forget the Scalp Massage
One part of my routine that I don't want to overlook is the massage itself.
Whenever I apply my Rosemary Hair Elixir, I spend several minutes massaging my scalp.
Part of this is practical it helps me distribute the product across my scalp instead of simply spraying it onto my hair.
But it's also become part of the ritual.
Five quiet minutes.
Rosemary.
Scalp massage.
No rushing.
There is even some preliminary research exploring whether standardized scalp massage may influence hair thickness, although evidence remains limited. I don't think you need a scientific reason to enjoy the ritual, though.
Sometimes caring for ourselves can simply feel good.
References
Panahi, Y., Taghizadeh, M., Marzony, E.T., & Sahebkar, A. (2015). Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: A randomized comparative trial. Skinmed, 13(1), 15–21.
Mysore, V., & Arghya, A. (2022). Hair oils: Indigenous knowledge revisited. International Journal of Trichology, 14(3), 84–90.
Oh, J.Y., Park, M.A., & Kim, Y.C. (2014). Peppermint oil promotes hair growth without toxic signs. Toxicology Research, 30(4), 297–304.
Lee, B.H., Lee, J.S., & Kim, Y.C. (2016). Hair growth-promoting effects of lavender oil in C57BL/6 mice. Toxicology Research, 32(2), 103–108.