How to make it
- 1Warm the coconut oil gently if solid
If your coconut oil is solid, place the measuring cup in a bowl of warm water until it melts. Do not microwave or heat directly — you want body-temperature warmth, not hot oil.
- 2Combine carrier oils
Pour coconut oil, castor oil, and amla oil into a glass bottle. The ratios matter: coconut oil for deep conditioning; castor oil for thickness and scalp stimulation; amla oil for its Ayurvedic strengthening properties.
- 3Add essential oils
Add rosemary and peppermint essential oils. Both have evidence supporting scalp circulation and hair growth stimulation — rosemary in particular has been shown in studies to perform comparably to minoxidil for hair density.
- 4Cap and roll gently to combine
Cap the bottle and roll between your palms for 30 seconds to combine all the oils. Do not shake — this introduces air bubbles.
- 5Apply warm for best results
Before application, warm the bottle in a bowl of warm water for 5 minutes. Apply to scalp section by section, massaging with fingertips for 5–10 minutes. Leave for at least 1 hour (or overnight) before shampooing out.
A 2023 study comparing rosemary essential oil to 2% minoxidil found comparable results in hair density after 6 months. The mechanism is thought to be improved scalp microcirculation — rosemary increases blood flow to the scalp, which brings more nutrients to hair follicles. Use consistently for at least 3 months to see results, and always dilute in a carrier oil — never apply essential oils neat to the scalp.
Key ingredient benefits
- Add 1 tbsp bhringraj oil for the most traditionally powerful Ayurvedic hair strengthening blend
- Add 1 tbsp neem oil (strong smell) for a dandruff-targeting, antifungal scalp treatment
- Infuse the coconut oil with dried curry leaves overnight before making for extra Ayurvedic benefit
- Add 5 drops of cedarwood oil for extra scalp stimulation alongside the rosemary
- Use sesame oil (til oil) instead of coconut oil in winter — it is warming and deeper conditioning