I’ve written quite a few natural hair care articles over the years. Recipes like nourishing conditioner and herbal hair treatments for healthier hair. However, healthy hair starts with scalp health. This hair growth oil helps nourish the scalp and is great for anyone dealing with hair loss and breakage.

I originally wrote this recipe for men who may notice thinning hair with age. However, plenty of women are also looking for hair products to address hair health. Over styling, tight hairstyles (like tight braids), heat styling tools, thyroid problems, androgenetic alopecia, and pregnancy can all contribute to hair loss.

Over half of women experience hair loss at some point. You may not even have thinning hair but want to grow longer hair.

I started experimenting with natural ways to encourage hair regrowth for myself after a pregnancy. I realized that this hair growth oil would be just as effective on men who want to avoid hair loss. No matter who you are if you notice your hair isn’t as abundant as it used to be the good news is that there are natural options.

Encourage Healthy Hair Growth

As with everything else, the foundation of healthy hair is a healthy diet. Nutrients like biotin and collagen help all hair types stay healthy and strong. Experts recommend focusing on B vitamins, vitamin C (for collagen production), Omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins D and A.

And if you’re iron deficient that can play a role too. Iron is necessary for healthy blood flow to the hair follicles. I try to get as many nutrients as I can from whole foods, but supplements can help fill in the gaps. When we’re getting enough nutrition it can help reduce hair breakage, receding hairlines, and split ends too.

Hydration and minerals are also really important. If you notice dry hair, frizz, or dry scalp you may need to drink more water. You can read my recipe for a hydrating mineral drink here.

Oil Treatment for Hair Growth

If your locs need some extra TLC then a natural scalp treatment can do the trick. There are a variety of natural oils that encourage quick and easy hair growth. Some popular options include almond oil, argan oil, coconut oil, and jojoba oil. For those with alopecia, vitamin E can help reduce oxidative damage to the scalp and encourage hair growth.

While there are lots of options, in this recipe, I use:

• Castor oil – Used for detox in remedies like castor oil packs. I’ve also used it to thicken/lengthen my hair and eyelashes. Not only does it help with hair loss but it majorly boosts hair growth. My hair grew 1.5 inches in a month after using it twice a week!
• Black Seed Oil – Black seed oil has many benefits but is especially wonderful for hair growth. It can help remedy some fungal infections that lead to hair loss, and may also help avoid thinning hair in the first place. You can use it internally or topically, just test a small amount on the skin of the inner arm first before using it on a large area. Black seed oil can be irritating to some people.
• Rosemary Oil – Well known for its ability to stimulate hair growth, rosemary is often added to hair growth treatments and shampoos. Adding a small amount adds a pleasant scent and increases the recipe’s effectiveness by reducing inflammation and dandruff.
• Lavender Essential Oil – Also great for skin health and hair growth. It helps mellow out the scent of the black cumin seed and rosemary to create a refreshing scent.

Tea tree and peppermint oil are also helpful but I didn’t personally use them in my recipe. You can add a few drops of tea tree if desired to help with dandruff, greasy scalp, or any fungal issues. Peppermint helps stimulate the scalp and increases blood flow for hair growth.

Optional Olive and Cayenne Oil

Cayenne helps boost blood circulation and is a folk remedy for hair loss and sore muscles. If you want to incorporate it into your hair growth oil, it’s easy to do an infusion. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Add the ingredients to the top of a double burner and infuse for about an hour.
2. You can also do a solar infusion. Simply leave the cayenne and oil in a glass jar in the sun for a few days.
3. Strain the cayenne out and reserve the oil to use in your hair growth oil recipe.

Like this recipe? Here are 11 tips for how to have healthier hair and avoid thinning hair.

What products do you (or the men in your life) use in their hair? What are your tips for fuller, healthier hair?