The Best Essential Oils for Hair Growth

Natural Therapies and Healing
The Best Essential Oils for Hair Growth
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Essential Oils and Healthy Hair

Essential oils for hair growth — how can concentrated plant extractions benefit your hair and encourage growth? Essential oils contain the active phytochemicals of the flower petals, seeds, roots, leaves, bark, or any other part of the plant the volatile oils are extracted from through distillation, expression, or other methods. Some of these natural oils, such as lavender and rosemary, are particularly beneficial for encouraging healthy hair and new growth. They can be used as a natural therapy for slowing baldness, preventing thinning, or simply improving the health, beauty, and shine of your hair.

While there are many causes for hair loss, some of them uncontrollable, factors such as dandruff, excess sebum (the natural oil produced by skin cells), the presence of bacteria of fungus, and poor circulation can also contribute to thinning hair. A nutrient and protein-rich diet should be the foundation for hair growth, but essential oil treatments have much to offer as well.

Oils for the Scalp

The first primary way that essential oils are beneficial is through addressing the scalp. There are several plant essences which are ideal for treating the skin. They help to balance overly dry or oily skin, to address any inflammation, and to cleanse the scalp and hair follicles of any unwanted microbes. The following essential oils are useful for normalizing and nourishing:

  • Jasmine oil benefits both dry and greasy skin, it is also ideal for cases of sensitive skin

  • Lavender oil is good for inflammation, for normalizing skin tone, and for destroying bacteria and fungus around hair follicles

    lavender

  • Clary sage cools inflammation and balances the production of sebum

  • Sandalwood is ideal for dry, itchy scalp as it moisturizes; with astringent properties this oil also tones oily skin, as an antiseptic it cleanses

Oils for Stimulating Circulation

By stimulating blood flow to the scalp essential oils can stimulate new growth. Poor circulation can in fact be a contributing factor to thinning hair. The following oils are useful for increasing circulation to encourage hair growth:

  • Rosemary oil enhances circulation, improves shine, and acts as an antiseptic
  • Peppermint oil is also stimulating and it has a cooling effect on itching and inflammation
  • Basil oil increases blood circulation as well

All of these oils are beneficial, but it is important to keep in mind that they can be irritating to sensitive skin. Always dilute in a carrier substance such as olive or jojoba oil.

How to Use

One of the best ways to use essential oils for hair growth is to massage them into the hair and scalp, thus boosting circulation even more. Add five to six drops of essential oils to four ounces of olive, jojoba, almond, or avocado oil. Massage into the scalp and leave on for fifteen minutes.

essential oils hair growth

Rinse and wash hair. Try three drops each of clary sage and rosemary, blend sandalwood with basil or lavender with peppermint.

Another method for using aromatherapy oils is to make a hair rinse. Use ten drops of essential oils for two cups of water. Rinse your hair after washing and conditioning. Adding the oils directly to your shampoo or conditioner is also beneficial. Use a natural, unscented product — twelve drops for one sixteen ounce bottle.

These essential oils are safe for general use but always talk to a doctor before using aromatherapy if pregnant. Never apply directly to the skin as essential oils are highly concentrated and they can cause irritation. Rosemary essential oil should not be used for those who have epilepsy and should be used sparingly in cases of respiratory problems.

References

Balch, Phyllis, CNC. “Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Edition.” (The Penguin Group, 2006).

Page, Linda. “Healthy Healing: A Guide to Self-Healing for Everyone, 11th Edition” (Traditional Wisdom, 2003).

Esoteric Oils https://www.essentialoils.co.za/essential-oils/clary-sage.htm

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