How to Make Rosemary Oil (For Scalp Health + More)
If I had to pick one herb that earns its keep a hundred times over, rosemary would be near the top of the list. It’s hardy, smells amazing, and can be used in everything from roasted potatoes to homemade cleaning sprays. Today I’m sharing one of my favorite ways to use it: infused rosemary oil.
This oil is especially great for your scalp (hello, hair growth support!), but it’s also one of those multipurpose things that’s good to have around.
Why Rosemary for Hair and Skin?
Rosemary is known for improving circulation, which is one of the reasons it’s so often used in hair care products. When applied to the scalp, it may help:
- Stimulate hair growth
- Strengthen hair at the root
- Reduce dandruff or dryness
- Add shine when used consistently
It also has natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a nice addition to your DIY apothecary cabinet and can aid in making an herbal decongestant salve!
How to Make Rosemary Oil
You can use fresh or dried rosemary—just make sure you’re following proper technique if using fresh (more on that below).
You’ll need:
- Dried rosemary (or very well wilted fresh rosemary. Mine is “fresh” and had been dried for about a week but was not completely dried). Wilted simply means letting it sit for a few hours to let as much water evaporate as possible.
- A carrier oil (like olive oil, jojoba, or fractionated coconut oil)
- Clean glass jar with a lid
- Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer
Choosing Your Carrier Oil
- For Hair Growth + Scalp Balance: Try jojoba oil—it’s lightweight, absorbs easily, and mimics your skin’s natural oils.
- For Dry, Frizzy, or Curly Hair: Go with olive oil or sweet almond oil—they’re rich, nourishing, and help smooth strands.
- For Deep Conditioning or Damaged Hair: Use coconut oil—it penetrates the hair shaft and helps prevent protein loss.
- For Lightweight, Everyday Use: Choose sunflower oil—it’s gentle, full of vitamin E, and won’t weigh hair down.
Option 1: Slow Infusion (No Heat)
This method takes a couple of weeks, but it’s my favorite for preserving the delicate compounds in rosemary.
Instructions:
- Fill your jar halfway with rosemary. Strip it from the stem if you need to to fit it in your jar.
- Pour oil over the herbs until completely covered by at least an inch.
- Stir to remove air bubbles, then seal the jar.
- Place in a cool, dark place for 2–4 weeks, shaking every few days.
- Strain and store in a clean bottle. Label and date it!
Option 2: Quick Heat Method
Need it faster? This is a great method if you’re short on time or just want to make a small batch.
Instructions:
- Combine herbs and oil in a saucepan using a low ratio—about 1/2 cup rosemary to 1 cup oil.
- Heat on low (really low!) for 30–60 minutes, never letting it boil. Stir occasionally.
- Once the oil smells strongly of rosemary and is slightly darker, remove from heat.
- Strain and bottle.
Important: If using fresh rosemary, you must first wilt it for 1–2 days to reduce moisture content. Fresh herbs can cause spoilage if there’s any residual water.
How to Use Your Rosemary Oil
Here are a few practical ways to use your new rosemary oil:
Storage Tips
Store your finished rosemary oil in a cool, dark place. If you used dried herbs and kept moisture out, it should last 6–12 months. I like using amber glass bottles for longevity.
If anything smells “off” or you notice cloudiness, discard it. Trust your nose.
Pin it for Later!
Rosemary oil is one of those simple little things that can make a big difference in how you care for yourself. It’s easy to make, smells amazing, and adds that home apothecary magic to your routine.
Have extra rosemary? Make it into Rosemary Salt!
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Let me know if you try this—and especially if you use it on your scalp! You can tag me over on Instagram @brittanylgibson or leave a comment below.
About the Author
Brittany Gibson is a modern suburban homesteader and the founder of The Homestead Challenge. She empowers women to adopt a simpler, more self-sufficient lifestyle, feeling confident to grow, create, and thrive on their own terms with joy and balance.
Read more about my transformation and join me in building our lives from scratch.
How to Make Rosemary Oil
Equipment
- 1 Fine Mesh Strainer
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup rosemary
- 1 cup oil olive, jojoba, almond, etc…
Instructions
- Fill your jar halfway with rosemary. Strip it from the stem if you need to to fit it in your jar.
- Pour oil over the herbs until completely covered by at least an inch.
- Stir to remove air bubbles, then seal the jar.
- Place in a cool, dark place for 2–4 weeks, shaking every few days.
- Strain and store in a clean bottle. Label and date it!
Hi Brittany just want to know if i can also use the dried rosemary in spice bottles to make the rosemary oil.
Hello! You can certainly try it out! A lot of the time, those rosemary jars are a tad older, so you might need more to get the same amount of rosemary oil extract. If you are purchasing dried, I would prefer to order from a company like Frontier Co-op, Starwest Botanicals, Mountain Rose Herbs, or someone local!
Would organic Black Castor Oil work? It is an oil that is superior for the hair. That must be kept in a dark brown glass bottle.
Absolutely! I have pretty oily, fine hair so I think it would be a bit TOO moisturizing for my hair. For dry hair, I think that would be an excellent option!
Honestly one of my favorite easy DIYs for hair health!
Hello! I have been letting mine sit for about 5-6 weeks now, and I went to strain it today, and it’s not really green. I thought the oil (I mixed jojoba and sesame) would be darker at this point. Should I continue to let it sit for another week and just go with whatever it turns out to be, or should I do the quick cook method now? Thank you!
Hello! Mine is only slightly green- not bright! It should be good to go, but you can try to mash the rosemary a bit more. Using a heating method at this point cannot hurt, but isn’t necessary if you feel like the oil is aromatic. If you do heat it now, you could use it immediately as a hot oil treatment to better permeate the scalp.
Hello. I am going to try this but have a question. Waste not want not- can I use the rosemary that I strain out from the oil in bread. I love rosemary olive oil bread and this way it could serve two purposes.
thank you
Jeanne