Many people out there don’t know oregano oil benefits for hair, and I can’t blame them entirely.
Oregano is famous for providing our food with natural, herbal, and woody flavors, not for helping our hair and skin!
Regardless, when used correctly, oregano can do a lot for your hair, like help with dryness and dandruff, without overwhelming it with chemicals.
How so, you ask? Let me tell you all about it in this quick guide!
This post contains affiliate links.
How Oregano Oil Benefits Your Hair
Oregano oil can help your hair in numerous ways, but the following are the ones where it stands out:
1. Helps With Hair Growth
I’ve sometimes wondered why I see luscious, thick locks around me but not on my scalp. Eventually, I discovered it wasn’t just bad products or stress but blood circulation.
Good blood circulation in the scalp is vital for delivering necessary nutrients and oxygen to your hair follicle, helping build a healthy environment for shiny, healthy hair growth.
Luckily for us, oregano oil is among the many natural oils that can help improve blood circulation.
This powerhouse oil, rich in active compounds like carvacrol and vitamins like K, helps rejuvenate your scalp.
Moreover, oregano oil’s antioxidants are the unsung heroes in this story! The antioxidants fight against free radicals, which can damage hair follicles and cause premature graying.
2. Reduce Dandruff
If you have an oily scalp or curly hair, you might find yourself struggling with dandruff more than others.
It sticks to your scalp and hides in the curls, making it almost impossible to remove – I know the feeling!
However, oregano oil is one of the few oils you can use that won’t aggravate the issues further.
Oregon oil brings its A-game with powerful antimicrobial and antifungal properties, making it a fierce rival against the root causes of those pesky flakes.
Harmful bacteria and fungi don’t stand a chance against active components like thymol and terpenes, which work to keep your scalp, clean, balanced, and itch-free.
3. Hydrate Dry Hair
Going through your day-to-day activities means you’ll probably deal with car pollution, strong UV lights, or humidity.
Naturally, this saps your hair off natural shine, leaving it brittle and dry.
Packed with natural fats and active compounds, oregano oil can help lock in moisture while restoring life to those tried strands.
Its deep conditioning abilities also help tame frizz and prevent split ends – two common enemies of dry hair.
Possible Side Effects
While I would’ve loved to say that oregano oil is perfect, nothing is. There are a few problems you may come across when using it, such as:
1. May Cause an Allergic Reaction
Though this isn’t a common side effect, oregano oil can trigger a few allergic reactions due to its natural components, like thymol.
Symptoms might include itching, redness, burning sensations, or even rashes on the scalp.
For those of you with sensitive skin or allergies to herbs in the mint family (like thyme or basil), the risk can be higher.
The best way to avoid this issue is a patch test. Mix a drop of oregano oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil and apply it to a small area of your skin.
Wait for about a day or two to see if your skin reacts. If nothing happens, you’re good to go!
However, if something does happen, please wash the affected area immediately with cool water and a mild cleanser.
2. Blocked Follicles
To be clear, this little issue here isn’t exclusive to oregano oil, but all oils in general.
You see, oregano oil’s thick consistency as a natural oil can lead to blocked hair follicles, especially when applied directly to roots or in excess.
This occurs when the oil forms a residue that clogs the tiny opening in the scalp, hindering hair growth and potentially causing irritation.
Over time, this buildup can lead to scalp acne and even weakened hair strands with an odd scent. Not cleaning your hair properly or using the oil too frequently can cause that.
How to Use Oregano Oil for Hair
You can use oregano oil just before your shower or as an hour-long intensive treatment. However, there are a few rules to keep in mind, including:
- Always perform a patch test first to see how your skin reacts to the oil
- Start out once a week and increase how often you use the oil once you understand your hair needs.
- Don’t use it more than three times weekly as this can be one of the main factors for a greasy, itchy scalp.
- Use it with a carrier oil, like sweet almond oil, to get more hydration and mask the scent if you use it often.
Now that you know the best approach to using oregano oil, here are a few ways you can apply it to your hair:
Add it to your scalp: Dilute oregano oil with a carrier oil and gently massage it into your scalp to boost circulation. Leave it for 20 minutes before heading into the shower.
Create a hot oil treatment: Warm a mixture of oregano oil and coconut oil or olive oil for a deeply hydrating treatment. Wrap your hair with a warm towel, leave for an hour, then rinse.
Mix it with other ingredients to create a mask: Add oregano oil, yogurt, and honey in a bowl, mix, and massage generously into your hair. Leave it for an hour or less, and rinse thoroughly for softer, shiner locks!
The Best Oregano Oil Products
Because oregano oil isn’t as famous for hair as coconut or rosemary oil, it’s hard to find in stores.
However, there are a few you can find online that were amazing after consistent usage.
The following were great for my hair:
- Majestic Pure Oregano Essential Oil: Sourced from Albania, this pure oil offers a strong aroma and a great formula for clarifying scalp treatments.
- UpNature Oregano Essential Oil: A budget-friendly option that’s GMO-free, cruelty-free, and steam-distilled for purity. It’s great for hair care when diluted, and also doubles as an aromatherapy oil.
- Gya Labs Oregano Essential Oil: With its antibacterial and antifungal properties, Gya Labs Oregano oil really helped when my scalp was itchy and all red.
Final Words
I can’t wholeheartedly say that the oregano oil benefits for hair are many. Nevertheless, they’re worth considering if you’re looking for a natural remedy to specific issues.
Oregano oil can help with dry hair, dandruff issues, and hair loss. While it’s not a miracle cure, its antimicrobial and hydrating properties can make a noticeable difference when used correctly.
Just remember to perform a patch test to avoid unpleasant allergic reactions.
Have you ever used oregano oil for hair? Let me know in the comments below!