DIY Bedtime Herbal Hair-Growth Spray
Apart from a well-balanced diet, there are numerous herbal compounds that can help your hair grow.
Most plants contain anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial compounds which soothe and cleanse the scalp. This means you can use any plant in this remedy and it will do some amount of good, but there are a few specific mechanisms to consider when treating your hair, which include:
- A pH of 3.7 to 5.5 is ideal for hair treatment since this is also the pH range of your scalp and hair follicle. This is why I am using apple cider vinegar in today’s remedy.
- Increasing blood circulation delivers more nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicle.
- Decreasing dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a specific testosterone derivative that can be a common factor in both male pattern baldness and hair loss in women.
- Sebum produced from your scalp can block pores if there’s too much; whereas it can cause dry, brittle hair if there’s too little.
Beneficial Plants for Hair Growth
You can find a substantial list of herbs that have been proven to be beneficial for hair growth here, but this list of nearly 60 plants includes ones from all over the world that may not necessarily be easily accessible, so I have cherry-picked a few of the more common plants to use as an herbal hair-growth spray.
Of course, you could easily brew all of the plants listed below into a tea, and allow it to cool, strain, and use that as a hair treatment, but the plants listed below actually perform better in alcohol or vinegar. Today I have chosen apple cider vinegar (ACV) instead of alcohol since there are numerous proven benefits of ACV for your hair (and yes, as long as it is sufficiently diluted, you can leave ACV in your hair overnight).
Plants Suitable for Vinegar-Based Extraction
Below is a list of plants that you can infuse in ACV (or alcohol) as the first stage in preparing your herbal hair-growth spray:
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) essential oil was found to be superior to minoxidil and with fewer side effects. After 4 weeks, it thickened the skin, boosted growth enzymes and the number, depth, and length of hair follicles had increased. Menthol also increases blood circulation and skin penetration. While the essential oil diluted to 3% was the most potent, you can also infuse fresh or dried peppermint leaves into vinegar, which is what today’s recipe will use.
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) increased the number of hair follicles after 6 months of daily usage, which was equivalent to minoxidil. It regulates sebum production and increases blood circulation.
Olive (Olea europaea) leaves and immature drupes contain oleuropein which increase the life-span of your hair follicles.
Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) was the strongest DHT inhibitor and hair growth stimulator out of 17 plants tested.
Thuja, cypress, and cedars from the Cupressaceae family have strong alkaloids which are DHT inhibitors and extend the life span of hair follicles. Thuja was also found to decrease the production of sebum.
Green tea (Camellia sinensis) leaves are high in a certain type of catechin which also restricts the production of DHT.
DIY Bedtime Herbal Hair-Growth Spray
Ingredients
Note: the amounts below are only a suggestion. As long as you have 1-part herb to 5-parts ACV then you can’t go wrong.
- 8 oz (50 g) of fresh and/or dried herbs from the list above
- 8 oz (250 ml) of apple cider vinegar (ACV)
- ½ cup of water
Method
The first stage involves making an ACV extract which will take at least a week to prepare.
- Place fresh or dry plant matter into a jar with a plastic lid and weigh how much plant matter you have.
- Pour 5 times the amount of ACV into the jar and be sure to submerge all of your herbs (I used a sunflower or fig leaf and a small glass jar to weigh down the herbs which I replace every second day).
- Screw on the lid and place in the fridge, shaking it every day for at least a week (2 weeks is better since I’m only chopping them roughly).
- Strain away the herbs and your vinegar extract is almost ready. In this concentrated form, it can be stored for a year in the fridge as long as everything has been sterilized first.
Application
ApplicationYour ACV extract must be diluted before use. Simply combine half a cup of water with 1 teaspoon of the ACV extract into a spray bottle and spray your hair and scalp liberally (halve this amount for short hair). In these proportions (4% dilution), I tested the pH to be between 4.7 to 4.8.
Allow your hair to dry and you’re ready for bed. Don’t worry, within 30 minutes the smell of ACV will dissipate. Rinse off in the morning.
This treatment can be done daily or weekly.
In this diluted form, the spray should ideally be used within 3 – 4 days and stored in the fridge.
Conclusion
Making a DIY herbal hair-growth spray can be as simple as brewing a cup of herbal tea, but if you are looking for something with a bit more potency, then try this ACV extract instead, or if you find the smell of ACV too strong, then try high proof alcohol – just be sure to dilute your extract before applying.
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The hair on my head is thick and strong, but my eyebrows are disappearing. Would this work better on them than castor oil?
Hello Beth. I began use Hemp Seed Oil on my eyebrows (straight oil, no dilution) every night. This is the first time I am seeing actual growth of them. Castor Oil did not work for me.
Thanks! I just bought a bottle last week.
Is there a recipe that uses essential oils for this spray. And if so do you have it.
I think if you mix this in with eggwhites it would even be better, as the egg white has protein and collegen that assists and even with a but of Aloe vera as it reflects the sun’s damaging UV.
Hello Monica,
Thank you so much for sharing this idea with us!
Many people believe that applying egg whites directly to your hair is a low-cost way to improve its appearance and promote hair growth.
Aloe Vera repairs hair strands and it may also aid in hair growth.
Many blessings and good health!
Licensed 38 years Cosmetologist… food(eggs) in this case , does not have the correct MW( molecular weight) too penetrate into the hair shaft. Therefore sits on top of the cuticle doing nothing
I have severe anaphylaxis to many medications and foods. I want to know the ingredients in the supplement called Folifort and I am a disabled widow on a very tight budget. I have trouble just buying food. Is there a discount for someone like me?
A quick web search will tell you what you need to know…here’s a link to the products ingredients you’re speaking of off amazon. Just scroll down and you will see them: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09GW9CW3Z/ref=c
Hello Nita,
Thank you for your comment! I’m sorry to hear this.
An email has been sent to you with more information.
Many blessings and good health!
Can you use essential oils to make this for hair? I’m thinking …shake it well and then apply. The oils would be so much easier.
Try it and see if it works out for you. That’s what I always say.
Con you use this extract on male’s hair
Hello Hue,
Yes, it can be used by both men and women.
Many blessings and good health!
I am new here, and I have no idea what ACV is please explain?
Shelagh~~~ ACV is Apple Cider Vinegar. It is better then white vinegar for many things. It has what is called the Mother in it which is part of all the goodness. Please looks this up to find more benefits. This may sound counter intuitive, but it can also be used for acid reflux, and yes I took it for 2 weeks every night before bed and my reflux has not returned (research on this also before doing). If your new to this stuff your in for a whole new wonderful world. Enjoy your journey 🙂
Hello could I use Mojito leaves instead of peppermint leaves to make the hair growth spray? Thank you!
Hello Teena,
Thank you for your interest in the recipe! Yes, you can use Mojito Mint leaves instead.
Many blessings and good health!
Thank you so much and I also wanted to know if I can use frozen mojito leaves?
Can you use this on a dog. I have an older dog with skin and hair issues and looking for a way to give her relief. Vet has offered many RX to help scratching and loss of hair…. allergy meds. Some relief from scratching but still poor-quality hair and losing hair. Just do not know what is good for dogs as I am learning this herbal world. Thanks in advance.
You mentioned rinsing hair in the morning, but I wondered if there was a need to rinse at all? Thank you
Hello, I don’t wash my hair everyday so could I leave it on my scalp and still use if daily?
I Didn’t have a lot of apples. But I had pears. So I have been making pear vinegar. Do you think that will work in-stead of apple vinegar? Hope so .
vinegar?
Yes. I use pineapple vinegar. Banana peel vinegar is what I’ll be using next. I prefer pineapple/blueberry vinegar as my daily go to. If it’s edible… you can turn it into vinegar with a mother. 🙂
Thank you for this recipe. However, I have a question before I can try this. Do these instructions, “Pour 5 times the amount of ACV” into the jar, mean the ACV should weigh 5 times as much as the plant ingredients weigh?
I look forward to trying this.
Do you need to use 8 oz of each herb? Can you use just 1 of these herbs?
Hi Lee,
Thank you so much for your comment.
You can make a Rosemary elixir for hair growth if the option of more herbs is not viable.
A rosemary elixir can be beneficial for promoting healthy hair and scalp. Rosemary is believed to have properties that may help improve hair growth and strengthen hair follicles. Here’s a simple recipe for a rosemary elixir for hair:
Ingredients:
Fresh or dried rosemary leaves (about 1/2 cup)
High-proof alcohol (such as vodka)
Glass jar with a tight-fitting lid
Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer
Optional: Essential oils for scent (e.g., lavender, cedarwood)
Instructions:
Prepare the Rosemary: If using fresh rosemary, rinse the leaves gently to remove any dirt. If using dried rosemary, no further preparation is needed.
Chop or Crush the Rosemary: If using fresh rosemary, chop the leaves to increase the surface area for extraction. If using dried rosemary, you can slightly crush the leaves.
Combine Rosemary and Alcohol: Place the chopped or crushed rosemary leaves in a glass jar. Pour enough high-proof alcohol (vodka) over the rosemary to fully cover the leaves. Ensure that the plant material is fully submerged.
Optional: Add Essential Oils: If desired, you can add a few drops of essential oils known for their hair-supporting properties, such as lavender or cedarwood. However, essential oils should be used sparingly.
Seal the Jar: Close the jar tightly with its lid to prevent air from entering. This helps preserve the mixture and prevent contamination.
Infuse the Mixture: Place the sealed jar in a cool, dark place. Allow the rosemary to infuse in the alcohol for about 2 to 4 weeks. Shake the jar gently every few days to aid in the extraction process.
Strain the Elixir: After the infusion period, strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove the solid plant material. Squeeze the plant material to extract as much liquid as possible.
Bottle the Elixir: Transfer the strained rosemary elixir into dark glass bottles. Make sure to label the bottles with the date and contents.
To use the rosemary elixir for hair, you can:
Add a few drops of the elixir to your regular shampoo or conditioner.
Apply a small amount of the elixir directly to your scalp and gently massage.
Dilute the elixir with water and use it as a hair rinse after shampooing. Leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing.
We wish you the best of health!
Hello, what is “high proof alcohol”? Would it be 80 proof cheap vodka like you mention in other recipes? Thanks for your reply.
Hi Terri,
Thank you so much for your message!
“High proof alcohol” refers to a type of alcoholic beverage that has a high alcohol content, typically expressed as a percentage of alcohol by volume (ABV). The term “proof” is used to measure the alcohol content, and it is typically double the ABV. For example, 80 proof alcohol would be 40% ABV.
Yes, you are correct in your understanding that 80 proof vodka, which is typically 40% ABV, would be considered a type of high proof alcohol. Vodka is often used in various recipes and applications, including herbal tinctures, extracts, and homemade remedies, due to its relatively neutral flavor and high alcohol content, which helps extract and preserve the active compounds from herbs and other ingredients.
When creating herbal tinctures or extracts, high proof alcohol is commonly used to extract the medicinal properties of herbs and plants. The alcohol acts as a solvent, extracting the beneficial compounds from the plant material. The high alcohol content also helps to preserve the extract over time.
Keep in mind that the choice of alcohol may depend on the specific purpose of the tincture or extract. Some recipes may call for higher proof alcohol, such as Everclear (which can be 190 proof or higher), while others might use vodka or other spirits. It’s important to follow the specific instructions provided in the recipe you’re using to ensure you’re achieving the desired results.
We wish you the best of health!