Starting a pilates routine can feel incredibly intimidating, especially when you see influencers working out on massive, three-thousand-dollar reformer machines. It is easy to think that you need a fully equipped home studio to get those long, lean, toned muscles. But the truth is, Joseph Pilates originally designed his entire movement philosophy around bodyweight exercises performed on the floor.
You do not need a reformer to see incredible results. In fact, some of the most challenging and effective core work happens directly on the mat. If you want to build a highly effective home studio without cluttering your living room or draining your bank account, you only need a few months ago after dealing with some postpartum shedding, and the amount of baby hairs sprouting along my hairline is completely wild.
Here is the easiest, most effective way to brew it at home without making a massive mess in your kitchen.
The science behind rosemary for hair growth
You might be skeptical that boiling a common kitchen herb can actually cure hair thinning. I was too. But rosemary contains carnosic acid, an active ingredient that heals tissue damage and improves cellular turnover. When applied to the scalp, it acts as a vasodilator, meaning it opens up the blood vessels. More blood flow means more nutrients and oxygen reaching your hair follicles.
In fact, a frequently cited study compared rosemary oil to minoxidil (the active ingredient in Rogaine). After six months of consistent use, the people using rosemary saw the exact same amount of hair growth as the people using the chemical treatment, but with significantly less scalp itching and irritation. While the study focused on the essential oil, boiling the fresh herb to create a strong tea extracts many of those same beneficial compounds in a form that is incredibly gentle on sensitive scalps.
If you are dealing with hair loss, it is also worth looking into your overall stress levels and daily habits. Sometimes, incorporating spiritual self care routines into your week can lower cortisol, which is a massive trigger for sudden hair shedding.
READ ALSO: The Ultimate Sunday Reset Routine Checklist for the Sunday Scaries
Ingredients you need
You do not need anything fancy to get started. Keep it simple.
- **5-6 sprigs of fresh rosemary:** Do not use dried rosemary from your spice rack. The essential oils in the fresh plant are what you actually want. You can find fresh rosemary in the produce section of almost any grocery store for about two dollars.
- **3 cups of distilled or filtered water:** Using filtered water prevents hard water minerals (like calcium and magnesium) from sitting on your scalp and causing buildup.
- **Optional add-ins:** Some people like to throw in a few sprigs of fresh mint for a cooling effect on the scalp, or a tablespoon of cloves. Cloves have antimicrobial properties that can help clear up dandruff.
Step-by-step instructions for boiling
Making the water is basically just making a very strong, concentrated tea.
First, rinse the fresh rosemary sprigs under cold water to remove any dirt or bugs. You don’t need to pull the leaves off the stem; just toss the whole sprigs right into a medium-sized pot. Pour the three cups of filtered water over the herbs.
Turn the stove on medium-high heat and bring the water to a gentle boil. As soon as it starts boiling, turn the heat down to low, put the lid on the pot, and let it simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes. You will know it is ready when the water turns a deep, reddish-brown color and your entire kitchen smells incredible.
After 20 minutes, take the pot off the heat. Do not take the lid off yet. Let it sit on the counter and steep until it cools down to room temperature. This can take a few hours, but leaving it to steep extracts even more of the active compounds.
Once it is completely cool, use a mesh strainer to pour the liquid into a clean glass spray bottle. Throw the boiled rosemary sprigs in the compost.
For more tips on incorporating natural remedies into your routine, Vogue recently published an interview with dermatologists explaining exactly why this specific preparation method is so effective.
How to use and store your rosemary water
Storage is incredibly important because you just made a fresh botanical product with absolutely zero preservatives. If you leave it sitting on your bathroom counter, it will grow mold within a few days. You must keep the spray bottle in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to two weeks. The cold temperature also makes it feel amazing when you spray it on an itchy scalp.
To use it, part your hair into sections and spray the water directly onto your scalp. You do not need to drench your hair; a light misting at the roots is plenty. Once your scalp is lightly dampened, use the pads of your fingers to massage the liquid into your skin for three to five minutes.
The massage is just as important as the spray itself. The physical stimulation increases blood flow and helps the oils penetrate the skin barrier. You can apply this spray to dry hair before bed, or you can apply it to clean, damp hair right out of the shower before you blow-dry.
Keep your bottle out of direct sunlight. Because it uses distilled water and essential oils (which have natural antimicrobial properties), it is shelf-stable and can safely sit on your bathroom counter for up to a month. Stick with it for at least three months, and you will be shocked at how much thicker your hairline looks.
