Herbs for Hair Growth: Natural Ways to Boost Hair Health

Ever run your fingers through your hair and wonder where half of it went?

Yeah, same.

Whether it’s the stress, the seasons, or just genetics doing their thing, seeing less hair on your head and more in your brush can feel a little frustrating. A lot of us want thicker, stronger hair—but without resorting to expensive treatments or chemical-heavy products that promise the moon and deliver a frizz ball.

The good news? Nature’s stocked with some seriously cool herbs that people have been using for ages to support hair health. And some of them are easier to work into your routine than you’d think.

Why Think About Herbs for Hair?

You might be eating pretty well, drinking water (most days anyway), and using your go-to shampoo… yet still wondering why your hair feels dry, thin, or just kind of “blah.” That’s where herbs might give things a little boost.

Plants naturally pack in compounds like antioxidants, fatty acids, minerals, and phytochemicals. Some of those help promote a healthy scalp, which is basically your hair’s foundation. Others may support blood flow or help your body deal with everyday stress—the kind that can mess with your head (literally).

Plus, herbs often give their best results slowly and gently. So if you’re into steady, natural changes—not overnight gimmicks—this could be your thing.

Let’s get into some standout options.

Rosemary: The Herb Everyone’s Talking About

If herbs had a popularity contest, rosemary would definitely take home the tiara this year.

People on TikTok and Instagram swear by rosemary oil for stronger, fuller hair—and there might be something to it. Rosemary has compounds that may improve circulation, which can help support nutrient delivery to your scalp. And when your follicles get what they need, they tend to act a little happier.

You can try a few drops of rosemary essential oil mixed into a carrier oil (like jojoba or coconut oil). Massage it into your scalp a couple of times a week before washing. It smells amazing, and the head massage alone is worth it.

Important note: Skip applying rosemary oil straight from the bottle. It’s potent stuff and should always be diluted.

Saw Palmetto: This One’s for the Guys (but not only for them)

This herb comes from a palm native to the southeastern U.S. It’s commonly talked about when it comes to supporting hormonal balance—especially for men.

Some studies suggest that saw palmetto might help reduce how your body processes certain androgens (a type of hormone linked to hair thinning). That could be helpful if you’re noticing a receding hairline or thinning on the crown.

You’ll usually find it in capsule form as a supplement. And while it’s mostly marketed toward men, anyone interested in supporting healthy hair from the inside-out can look into it. (As always, don’t mix new supplements with meds or other treatments without checking in with a professional.)

Nettle Leaf: A Surprisingly Hair-Friendly Plant

You may know this weed-looking plant from its reputation for being annoyingly stingy when touched. But when dried and made into tea or capsules, nettle leaf is full of minerals like silica, magnesium, and iron—all of which play a role in strong, healthy-looking hair.

Nettle also has antioxidants, which help deal with everyday oxidative stress (aka the wear-and-tear from life that can age your skin and hair alike).

Personally, I like sipping nettle tea with a little honey. It has this earthy, green flavor that’s oddly comforting once you get used to it.

Horsetail: Not Just a Ponytail Pun

Horsetail (yep, it actually looks like a horse’s tail) is a plant that’s high in silica, a mineral your hair, nails, and skin appreciate.

Some people take horsetail extracts or teas as a way to keep hair feeling stronger and less brittle. Silica might help the structure of your strands by supporting collagen production, which matters more than we sometimes realize when it comes to overall hair vibe.

Downside: horsetail’s not the most common tea on store shelves. But you can find it online or in supplement blends.

Peppermint: More Than Just a Tingly Shampoo

You probably already link peppermint to that fresh, cooling feeling in your scalp when you try a minty shampoo.

But beyond the surface sensation, peppermint may actually help improve blood flow when applied topically in oil form. That’s a good thing because better circulation can mean better delivery of nutrients to your hair roots.

A study in mice (which, yes, isn’t the same as humans—but still interesting) found that peppermint oil led to increased hair growth over a few weeks. Worth trying? Possibly. But always dilute it first and do a patch test, because your scalp will absolutely let you know if it’s not happy.

Adaptogens: A Hair Helper You Didn’t Expect

OK, so here’s where things get a little more “zoomed out.” Adaptogens are herbs that help your body deal with everyday stress in a more balanced way. And why does that matter? Because long-term stress is one of the sneakiest culprits behind hair struggles.

Herbs like holy basil (also called tulsi), and rhodiola don’t directly grow hair—but they support your overall stress response. And when your stress levels are lower, your body can focus more energy on growth and repair… which includes your strands.

Easy Ways to Start Today

Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t be. You don’t need to tackle every herb on this list.

Here are a few easy ideas to dip your toes in:

• Brew a cup of nettle or horsetail tea a few days a week.
• Try a DIY rosemary oil scalp massage before one of your wash days.
• Look into a supplement that blends saw palmetto and other good vitamins/minerals if you want an internal option (just read the label and start slow).
• Keep peppermint oil on hand as a bonus for freshening up your scalp on a lazy Sunday.

The trick with herbs is consistency. Don’t expect dramatic results in a week—but over time, people really do notice difference in strength, texture, and volume.

The Reminder We All Need

Hair has its own moods and cycles. Sometimes it’s just not feeling it, and that’s okay.

Adding herbs to your wellness toolbox isn’t about reaching perfection—it’s about giving your body a few extra tools to support itself.

So the next time you’re pulling your hair back or catching yourself in the mirror thinking, “ugh, what’s going on here,” just remember there are natural (and kind of fun) ways to help things along.

Maybe start with a tea. Or give your scalp a little oil love. Your hair doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to feel a bit more like you again.