The Most Effective Ways to Use Coconut Oil for Hair Growth

Coconut oil is an amazing ingredient that has many benefits to improve the health and condition of your hair. When combined with other natural ingredients, coconut oil can also boost hair growth and keep your scalp free from conditions that can lead to hair loss. Coconut oil is also a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids which help to keep your hair healthy, moisturized, soft, and strong.
There is only anecdotal evidence that coconut oil can help hair regrowth on its own. However, there are many studies showing that natural hair growth remedies that include tea tree oil, rosemary oil, peppermint oil, and even garlic and onion can help boost hair growth. The reason that coconut oil is the perfect ingredient for hair care is that it penetrates the hair shaft and deep into the scalp. This allows the antibacterial and moisturizing properties of the ingredients to improve hair health.

In this article, you will find out about the many benefits of using coconut oil for hair. You will also find many helpful natural home remedies that include coconut oil for hair growth. First of all, let’s briefly look at the reasons to use coconut oil for hair growth.

Coconut Oil Benefits for Hair

Coconut oil has traditionally been used for hair growth and to keep hair looking healthy. The Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine reported that for centuries coconut oil has been used with other ingredients in Ayurveda medicine for healthy hair.1

So, how can coconut oil boost hair health and be an effective natural ingredient for hair growth remedies?

Coconut oil contains lauric acid which has antibacterial properties. The Journal of the American Oil Chemist’s Society found that lauric acid in coconut oil has significant antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This helps to keep the hair follicles healthy and free from bacteria.2

Coconut oil also strengthens hair by preventing protein loss. For example, the Journal of Cosmetic Science reported that coconut oil penetrates the hair shafts to prevent loss of protein. The lauric acid from coconut oil protects both undamaged and damaged hair when used as a pre-wash and conditioner after washing.3

Using coconut oil on your hair and massaging into your scalp helps to lock moisture into your hair and prevent hair damage. You can find detailed instructions in my article on 8 ingenious ways to use coconut oil on your hair.

Coconut oil for Hair Growth

Coconut oil and rosemary essential oil

Use coconut oil together with a few drops of rosemary oil to boost hair growth and keep your scalp healthy. Rosemary oil can help to improve hair growth and boost the strength of hair shafts.

A study published in the journal SKINmed found that rosemary oil is effective for hair regrowth. The study found that rosemary oil was just as effective as minoxidil – a pharmaceutical drug commonly used for helping people with alopecia. They also found that there were fewer side effects (scalp itching) with using the rosemary oil remedy.4

Make a coconut oil and rosemary oil pre-wash hair mask to help boost hair growth. Here is how to do it:

Mix 3-4 drops of rosemary oil with a tablespoon of coconut oil (if you have longer hair, you may need to use more coconut oil and rosemary oil).
Massage the hair remedy into your scalp and make sure that all your hair strands are covered.
Leave for 30 minutes before washing your hair as normal.
You should use the hair mask 2-3 times a week for best results and help your hair grow healthy and strong.

Coconut oil and peppermint oil to boost hair growth

Peppermint oil is another oil with proven benefit for boosting hair growth. Peppermint oil has a cooling effect on the scalp and it stimulates the growth of new hair.

The journal Toxicological Research found that peppermint oil has a positive effect on hair growth. The study found that peppermint oil boosted the number of hair follicles and dermal thickness. The researchers concluded that in clinical trials, peppermint oil stimulates hair growth.5

Use coconut oil with a few drops of peppermint oil as part of your weekly hair care routine. Add 3-4 drops of peppermint oil to a tablespoon of coconut oil. Use the coconut oil hair mask to massage into your scalp and leave in for 30 minutes before washing out with your favorite natural hair shampoo.

You can also use peppermint oil to help your hair grow faster by adding a few drops to your bottle of shampoo. Use 4-6 drops for every ounce of shampoo.

Garlic and coconut oil

Help boost the hair benefits of coconut oil by adding crushed garlic to improve hair growth. There are many reasons why people can lose hair and here you can read about the 10 most common reasons for hair loss. Garlic can help combat hair loss because of the way it stimulates the hair follicles.

A study from India in 2007 found that a gel containing garlic helped to combat hair loss and boost the regrowth of hair. The researchers discovered that when garlic gel was applied to bald patches, hair growth was more significant than in people who used corticosteroid creams. Corticosteroids are often prescribed to people with hair loss.6

To make your own homemade hair loss remedy using garlic, crush one clove of garlic and mix with a tablespoon of coconut oil. Massage the coconut oil and garlic hair growth treatment into your scalp and leave for 20 minutes. Wash as normal and repeat the process 2-3 times a week for best results.

To find out more on the hair benefits of garlic and how it can help you fight hair loss, please read my article on how you can use garlic for boosting hair growth.

Please remember never to put raw garlic directly onto your skin as it may cause irritation. Always add crushed garlic to a carrier oil before applying.

Onion juice and coconut oil

The benefits of coconut oil for hair loss can be boosted by adding onion juice. Onion contains high amounts of sulfur which is an important compound for hair health. Sulfur helps blood to flow better to the scalp and nourishes the follicles.

There is also scientific research to back up the claims of using onion juice to boost hair strength. The Journal of Dermatology published a report into the effectiveness of onion juice to induce hair regrowth. The researchers found that onion juice helped hair to grow back in almost 90% of the participants in the study. They concluded that onion juice can be used as a topical therapy for combating hair loss.7

To use coconut oil in conjunction with the juice of an onion, you should mix the onion juice with virgin coconut oil. Massage the coconut oil hair growth remedy to your scalp and leave for 30 minutes before rinsing out. To help mask the smell of onion, you can also add a few drops of peppermint oil or rosemary oil to boost the hair growing properties even more.

You can also just use onion juice on its own or mix with honey for great healthy hair. You can read about how to do that in my article on how to make onion juice for hair growth and strong hair.

Coconut oil and tea tree oil for hair regrowth

Fight hair loss by using coconut oil and tea tree oil to keep your scalp healthy and free from bacteria. Both coconut oil and tea tree oil contain antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties which are all needed to keep hair strong. Tea tree oil can also help prevent dandruff, reduce scalp itching, and treat scalp psoriasis.



The journal Drug Design, Development and Therapy found that tea tree oil helped to improve the effectiveness of certain pharmaceutical medications for boosting hair growth. The hair treatments that contained tea tree oil were significantly more effective and showed better results.8

You can add tea tree oil to some coconut oil and use regularly to help hair grow faster and stronger. All you have to do is add 2-3 drops of tea tree oil to a tablespoon of coconut oil. Use the natural hair mask 2-3 times a week to combat hair loss and thinning.

Coconut oil and a combination of essential oils

Use the antibacterial properties of coconut oil with some essential oils to keep your scalp healthy and boost hair growth. By combining various essential oils that have hair-boosting properties, you can promote the growth of healthy hair.

The Archives of Dermatology published a study into using a combination of using 4 essential oils for stimulating hair regrowth. These were thyme, rosemary, lavender, and cedarwood oils. The oils were mixed with a carrier oil and massaged daily into the scalp. Almost half of the participants found that their hair was thicker and showed fewer signs of baldness and hair loss.13

To help boost the benefits of coconut oil for hair growth, add 1-2 drops each of thyme, rosemary, lavender, and cedarwood essential oils with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Massage a little of the hair treatment into your scalp 2-3 times a week. Leave in for 30 minutes before rinsing out.

Castor oil and coconut oil for hair growth

Like coconut oil, castor oil is a rich source of fatty acids and vitamins that can help you get strong healthy hair. Castor oil has many health benefits and it can improve the health of your scalp.

It is thought that in some people hair loss is due to a compound called prostaglandin D2 (PGD2). A study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine showed that men who were balding had elevated levels of PGD2 and this had an inhibitory effect on hair growth.9 However, castor oil contains high levels of ricinoleic acid, which has been shown to reduce levels of PGD2 and could be used in an effective hair-loss treatment.10

To use coconut oil with castor oil for hair growth, you should mix equal amount of the oils to create a hair mask. Apply the natural hair mask to your scalp at least 2 times a week. To use the coconut oil hair mask, massage the castor oil and coconut oil mixture into your scalp well, taking care to also coat all strands of your hair. Put a shower cap on and sleep overnight to allow the hair mask to go to work and nourish your scalp. Wash out in the morning with your regular natural shampoo.

For more information on the hair benefits of castor oil, please read my article about the best ways of using castor oil to regrow hair.

Coconut Oil for Healthy Hair and Scalp

If you use coconut oil regularly to help hair growth, you will also notice a marked improvement in the overall health and look of your hair. Here are some other ways to use coconut oil to boost your hair health.

Tea tree oil and coconut oil hair conditioner

You can also use a little coconut oil as a leave-in conditioner after you have washed your hair. This will give your hair a marvelous shine and prevent split ends from forming.

To use coconut oil as a conditioner, you only need to use a tiny amount. Add 2-3 drops of tea tree oil to a tablespoon of coconut oil. When your hair is damp (but not wet), take a pea-size amount of coconut oil and rub it in your palms. Rub the coconut oil into the ends of your hair, working your way up to the scalp. You can then dry and style your hair as normal.

The antibacterial properties of both coconut oil and tea tree oil will help to keep your scalp and hair healthy. The fatty acid content of coconut oil will leave an amazing shine on your hair.

Coconut oil for an itchy scalp

Coconut oil can help to kill off fungal infections on your scalp that can cause itchiness and lead to dandruff. Add a few drops of tea tree oil or lavender oil to a tablespoon of coconut oil to make an anti-itch scalp treatment.

Use the coconut oil as a hair mask and leave the oil in your hair for at least 2 hours before rinsing out. This will help to kill off any infections on your scalp that are causing itchiness and flaking skin. Rinse out as normal and repeat the hair mask once or twice a week until you no longer have an itchy scalp.

Aloe vera and coconut oil for shiny hair

Aloe vera is a great natural ingredient for your hair and skin. The book Herbal Medicine says that pure aloe vera gel contains many vitamins and minerals which can benefit the health of your scalp. It also mentions that for centuries, aloe vera has been promoted to combat hair loss. Although there are not scientific studies confirming this, there is no doubt that aloe vera helps you have great looking hair.

For example, studies have shown that aloe vera is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and can help prevent an itchy scalp and keep it free of dandruff. It also has a moisturizing effect and can give your hair an amazing shine.12

Boost your hair health with coconut oil and aloe vera. To find out more about the link between coconut oil, aloe vera, and the health of your hair, please read my article on the health benefits of aloe vera and coconut oil.

Read my other related articles:
1. The Best Hair Growth Vitamins and Supplements to Fight Hair Loss
2. 8 Ingenious Ways to Use Coconut Oil on Your Hair
3. The Best Natural Oils for Your Hair