Remedy · herb
Rosemary
Also: Salvia rosmarinus, Rosmarinus officinalis
A culinary herb whose oil has one trial matching minoxidil for hair loss.
Active compounds Carnosic acid
Evidence by condition
Each grade reflects the research for Rosemary and that condition specifically.
- CHair loss
In one comparative trial, topical rosemary oil matched minoxidil 2% for hair count at 6 months with less itching — but it was single-blind with no placebo, and unreplicated.
1 citation
- Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial Randomized trial 2015 · n=100 · Skinmed · PMID 25842469
- Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial
Topical rosemary oil has a single, much-cited trial showing it kept pace with low-strength minoxidil for regrowth. With no placebo arm and no replication, treat it as promising but unproven — and dilute the essential oil before applying.