Cedarwood essential oil has become a popular natural remedy for hair growth. It’s typically combined with three other aromatics, along with a carrier oil, and massaged into the scalp.
There are anecdotal reports that cedarwood essential oil can help with baldness and thinning hair. Now, there’s actually some science behind this practice.
One study published in the medical journal JAMA Dermatology found that a mixture of four esssential oils – cedar, lavender, rosemary and thyme – led to hair growth in a significant number of patients. These strong aromatics were added to a carrier oil before being applied to the scalp. The authors concluded that “the results show aromatherapy to be a safe and effective treatment for alopecia areata.”
Cedarwood Oil for Hair Growth
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The term “aromatherapy” conjures up images of sniffing and inhaling essential oils. This is one way to use them. However, you can also use them for massage. That’s how you’d want to use them to potentially stimulate new hair growth.
Please understand that I’m not a doctor. I can’t give medical advice or promise that any product, recipe or natural remedy will help with hair loss. All I can do is share my own story of using aromatic extracts, including cedarwood essential oil.
Cedarwood Oil for Hair Loss
One of my favorite aromatics is cedarwood essential oil. I always have this in my collection. I use it often. It’s a good natural sleep aid. Lately, after experiencing some stress, I noticed that my hair was thinning. It’s just a little, and I don’t think anyone else can see it. This has happened periodically throughout my adult life. When the stress ceased, my hair always grew back. But, this time, I’m being proactive. If you don’t own cedarwood essential oil, here is one of the brands I recommend.
I’m using cedarwood oil on my head. I’m also using a special brand of herbal shampoo designed for thinning hair. As far as I’m concerned, the more the better, in terms of natural hair remedies.
Cedarwood Essential Oil for Hair Growth
Anyway, it’s really easy to make your own hair support blend with essential oils. The most common recipe, based on the Jama Dermatology Study, involves cedarwood essential oil, along with three other aromatics, plus carrier oils.
The study group used grapeseed and jojoba oils. Some hair growth was reported in a control group that used just jojoba oil on their scalp. So it’s possible this carrier has therapeutic benefits as well.
If you use cedarwood essential oil on your hair, make sure to not apply it directly to your scalp. Essential oils can never be put on your body without a carrier oil. Carries act as buffers, to protect your skin from the strength of the essential oil. A good ratio would be 2 drops of cedarwood essential oil to 1 teaspoon of carrier oil.
An even better idea is to mix cedarwood essential oil with other kinds of essential oils. it’s believed that this creates a more effective synergy.
Cedarwood Oil for Hair
Here’s how I mixed up my DIY hair blend, with cedarwood essential oil. I used rosehip seed oil as a carrier. However, after reading the study again, I think I’ll use grapeseed oil, which I already have on hand. I might even order some jojoba oil too. So, here’s the recipe.
Essential Oils for Hair Growth Recipe
1 ounce of carrier oil (Jojoba oil is available here.)
3 drops of cedarwood essential oil (It’s available here)
3 drops of lavender essential oil (It’s available here)
3 drops of rosemary essential oil (It’s available here)
3 drops of thyme essential oil (It’s available here)
Cedarwood Oil for Hair Loss
I mixed the above ingredients and applied to my head. I left this mixture in for a few hours, before I showered. (I work at home, so it’s okay to have really oily hair, when no one sees it.) Later, I can rinse it out with Pura d’Or hair loss shampoo. This shampoo contains herbs that naturally block a hormone known as DHT. This is the same hormone that’s responsible for hair loss in both women and in men.
The brand of essential oils I recommended in this article are sold by Edens Garden. This is one of my favorite aromatherapy companies. I totally trust that the oils it sells are 100 percent pure and contain no fillers, additives or adulterants. Lavender essential oil is very popular, and you might already own it. If you need any of the other three aromatics to make this hair support recipe, they’re available online.
For More Information
Essential Oil Dermatology Study
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils.
Iron defficiency can also cause hair loss. My hair was thinning in my late 20s and it turned out i needed iron. I like the recipe anyway and i will try this oil recipe on someone i know.
Hi R. Portillo, I’m so glad to hear you found a solution to your problem. Thanks for reading and thanks for sharing.
Organic Palace Queen , How long did it take to see results?
Thank you:)
Maritza, probably about three months until I felt my hair was going to be okay. I now use essential oils a couple of times a week and I still use Pura d’Or shampoo and conditioner. Plus I pay attention to my stress level. I hope this helps.
Is this OK to use on color treated hair?
Hi Gail, I don’t know about chemically color treated hair because I only use natural henna on my own hair. Essential oils don’t see to bother the henna. Instead, if it were me, and I was worried about the color, I’d use Pura d’Or, a popular hair loss shampoo.
How often should I use the oil combo and shampoo on my hair? I am desperately trying to regrow my hair after chemo and substantial weight loss. I also take s biotin supplement every day.
Beth, when I was worried about hair loss I used it each time before I washed my hair. Because of the oily carrier oil, this was the only practical way to do this. You definitely need a carrier oil when using essential oils on your skin. I also use Pura d’Or hair loss shammpoo regularly, even though the thinning period seems to be over. I do this for maintenance and because I don’t want to use a shampoo with a lot of chemicals. Thanks so much for reading.
I mix those 4 oils with Witch Hazel into a 1oz spray bottle and I spritz it on my scalp each morn. (Shake well first) I am seeing regrowth! I have Hashimoto’s so hair loss is a constant battle.
Hi Donna, thanks so much for sharing. This sounds like a good alternative to putting oil on your head, as long as you spray lightly. Thanks also for reading my blog.
Do you leave the witch hazel spray as a leave in?
Yes! It’s not oily at all, so there is not an issue with it weighing down my hair.
Awesome article. I learned from a fellow consultant to put a drop of cedarwood on the big toe before bed. I’ve been doing it for a month or so and noticed a big difference! I will give your recipe a try!
Hi Jennie, Cedarwood essential oil is definitely one of my favorite sleep remedies. I also use essential oils for massage, after I mix them with a carrier oil. Thanks so much for reading.
How can you tell if your hair is breaking or if the short hair is actually regrowth?
Susan, I don’t know the answer to that. My own hair began to thin. I didn’t see short hairs, either from breaking off or from regrowth. I wish I had more information.
Thanks for sharing this recipe. I’ve been battling with this issue myself because of stress. Fortunately, I’ve found that adding a few drops of rosemary, peppermint, and lavender in 2 oz of jojoba has made a difference in the thickness and re-growth of my hair. I’d use a scalp massager and leave it in for a couple of hours before washing hair. I’ll try adding a couple of drops of cedar wood next time!
I’m so happy to hear you’ve seen good results with this mixture. The study I cited called for cedarwood oil. But I suspect a lot of essential oils are good for your hair. Thanks so much for your feedback and for reading my blog.
CAN YOU USE THE CEDARWOOD OIL BY ITSELF ON YOUR HAIR???
No, make sure to mix it first with a carrier oil before putting it on your skin. I updated this post so the information about carriers is available in two places.
I’m a newcomer to EO, how many drops of cedarwood to how many drops or tsp would I need to apply to my scalp for hairloss and regrowth and how long do I leave in hair before rinsing out?
Thank you!
Marie, I’m not a professional aromatherapist so I’m just repeating standard dilution ratios of 1 percent for your head or face. This would be 2 drops of essential oil to 2 teaspoons of carrier oil. If it were me I’d leave it on my scalp for about 10 minutes.