DIY Hair Growth Tonic {aka mermaid hair}

I’ve always loved having healthy, thick, long hair.  And that’s why this homemade hair growth tonic is such a favorite of mine.

A quick story:  When I was in kindergarten, my mom took me for a haircut.  The hairdresser cut my long, curly hair into a short feathered bob (it was the 1970’s after all).

My mom loved it.  I didn’t.

I wanted my long hair back.  I liked wearing it in ponytails, pigtails, and braids.  I loved being able to change my hair into so many different styles.  So ever since I’ve been old enough to choose my own hair cut, I’ve always had long hair.  Sometimes it’s been past my shoulders, sometimes it’s been halfway down my back, and sometimes it’s been just off my shoulders, but I’ve always had a head full of curly thick, long hair.

That is I used to.  Once I reached my mid-forties a few years ago, my hormones started to change.  My hair started to dry out, my hair started to break (especially around the temples), my hair stopped growing as fast as it used to, and my hair started to fall out (there were some days where an entire handful of hair would fall out during normal shampooing in the shower).  It was heartbreaking.

Even though I was getting “older” I still wanted thick, long hair.  I still wanted to change up my hair styles.  I still wanted to wear my hair up and let it down.  It still wanted to feel the wind blow through my hair.  I wasn’t ready to give all that up.  Menopause may be at my doorstep, but I’m still young.

So I researched, tried several different hair growth treatments, experimented, and finally created this homemade hair growth treatment.  I love how it’s worked for me!  My hair is growing in thicker, faster, and longer than it has in years.  I have less breakage.  My hair isn’t falling out as quickly (now it’s just a few strands and not a handful of hair every time I wash my hair).  My hair is stronger and super soft.

What’s in DIY hair growth tonic {aka mermaid hair spray}?

This website contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission. The price is exactly the same for you as it would be without the affiliate link. 

• lavender essential oil

Research has found that lavender essential oil can help hair grow faster and longer, perhaps even helping thinning hair to regrow.

Additionally, lavender oil helps moisturize hair which can prevent damage and prevent further breakage.

If you’re not a fan of lavender, find substitutes for lavender essential oil for hair growth here.

• rosemary essential oil

Rosemary oil increases blood circulation, stimulates hair follicles, improves hair growth, and lessens hair loss, resulting in thicker, fuller, longer hair.

• cedarwood essential oil

Like rosemary essential oil, cedarwood oil also increases blood circulation, stimulates scalp, and helps hair to grow faster and thicker.

• peppermint essential oil

Peppermint oil strengthens hair roots and lessens hair loss. 

It also increases blood flow, which rejuvenates hair follicles and promotes hair growth.

• hemp seed oil

Hemp seed oil deeply moisturizes hair and scalp. 

Not only does that make hair feel silky soft, it also helps strengthen hair and prevent breakage.  It contains omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids that help hair grow thicker, faster and longer. 

Plus hemp contain gamma-linoleic acid which nourishes hair and aids keratin formation, which results in stronger, healthier hair. 

The lipids in hemp seed oil also help increase hair’s elasticity, volume, and shine.  possible substitutes:  carrot seed oil, argan oil, or jojoba.

• alcohol-free witch hazel

Like peppermint essential oil, witch hazel also increases blood flow and promote hair growth. 

Additionally, witch hazel can reduce irritation to hair follicles that would otherwise inhibit hair growth. 

It also helps tame frizzy hair and adds volume.

Does it make your hair feel oily?

Nope, it doesn’t make your hair feel oily. There’s actually not much oil in it – only 1 teaspoon of oil in the entire batch.  That’s just 1 part oil to 23 parts of water and witch hazel.

Do give it a good shake though before you use it to make sure that the oil gets pretty evenly distributed with the water/witch hazel.  That way, you’ll just get a little tiny bit of oil with the rest of the hair tonic.

How to make hair growth tonic with essential oils

step 1:   add 3 tablespoons alcohol-free witch hazel to a 4 oz spray bottle

step 2:  add 1 teaspoon hemp seed oil 

or substitute with carrot seed oil

step 3:  fill the rest of the spray bottle with distilled water (or boiled and cooled tap water)

tip: be sure to stop adding water a half inch or so below the top so that there’s room for the essential oils and the mixture won’t spill over when you add the sprayer

step 4: add the following essential oils for hair growth

10 drops lavender essential oil

10 drops rosemary essential oil

10 drops cedarwood essential oil

10 drops peppermint essential oil

step 5 (optional): add this free printable label to your spray bottle

tip:  wiping down your bottle with a little rubbing alcohol will clean and remove any oil from the outside of the bottle so that your label will stick really well

tip: you can print the printable label on full-sheet label paper, or do what I do and print label on regular plain printer paper then attached the label to the bottle with clear packing tape.  To do this print label, cut it out, then place label face down on piece of packing tape that’s at least 1 inch longer than the label on both ends.  Line the label up on the bottle and press it on starting from the center and smoothing out the label from the center out.  Using packing tape like this has become my favorite way to do labels.  It’s cheap, easy to do, and the labels stay on and look great for a long time.

Here’s the essential oil hair growth tonic recipe one more time

step 1:   add 3 tablespoons alcohol-free witch hazel to a 4 oz spray bottle

step 2:  add 1 teaspoon hemp seed oil

tip: if you don’t want to use hemp oil, carrot seed oil (found here) is a good substitute.  Like hemp seed oil, carrot seed oil is great for hair growth.

tip:  jojoba oil and argan oil are other possible substitutes in a pinch, but they are not quite as effective as the hemp or carrot seed oils.

step 3:  fill the rest of the spray bottle with distilled water (or boiled and cooled tap water).

tip: be sure to stop adding water a half inch or so below the top so that there’s room for the essential oils and the mixture won’t spill over when you add the sprayer

step 4: add the following essential oils for hair growth

10 drops lavender essential oil

10 drops rosemary essential oil

10 drops cedarwood essential oil

10 drops peppermint essential oil

step 5 (optional): add a label to your spray bottle

tip:  wiping down your bottle with a little rubbing alcohol will clean and remove any oil from the outside of the bottle so that your label will stick really well

tip: you can print the printable label on full-sheet label paper, or do what I do and print label on regular plain printer paper then attached the label to the bottle with clear packing tape.  To do this print label, cut it out, then place label face down on piece of packing tape that’s at least 1 inch longer than the label on both ends.  Line the label up on the bottle and press it on starting from the center and smoothing out the label from the center out.  Using packing tape like this has become my favorite way to do labels.  It’s cheap, easy to do, and the labels stay on and look great for a long time.

How to use DIY hair growth tonic {aka mermaid hair spray}

1. Shake well before and during use as essential oils and hemp seed oil will tend to separate from the water and witch hazel.  Shaking helps to temporarily blend the oils and water together.
2. apply to wet hair (tip:  You can also apply it to dry hair, but wetting your hair helps the hair growth tonic to soak in better.)
3. spray tonic on scalp
4. massage into scalp
5. comb through hair
6. Use daily for best results

Use this mermaid hair spray along with these other homemade hair treatments for maximum hair growth:

• Hair detangler spray — Tangles and knots increase hair loss. This easy-to-make hair detangler with essential oils smooths and conditions as it strengthens hair. The result? Less hair loss, more hair growth.  Find the homemade hair detangler spray recipe here.
• Dry Shampoo — It’s best to only wash your hair once every 2-3 days so that it does not dry out and become brittle.  Using a dry shampoo can help extend the time in between washings, keeping your hair moisturized, strong, and healthy.  That helps hair grow longer faster.  Find Dry shampoo powder (recipe here) and dry shampoo shampoo spray (recipe here)
• Hot oil treatment — warm 2 tablespoons jojoba oil and 2 tablespoons honey in microwave or on stovetop.  Heat just until warm and viscous but not hot.  Then add 3 drops peppermint essential oil and 2 drops rosemary essential oil.  Stir.  Apply to scalp and hair.  Leave on hair for 20 minutes before washing out.
• Scalp exfoliator — Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp.  Using a scalp exfoliator like this helps remove dead skin cells and open pores so that hair can grow properly.  To make, simply combine 2 tablespoons rolled oats, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 4 drops of tea tree oil.  Mix together then apply to scalp, gently massage on scalp for 1-2 minutes, and then shampoo as normal.

Where to get supplies?

This website contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission. The price is exactly the same for you as it would be without the affiliate link. 

hemp seed oil – I use this one.It’s cold pressed, organic, unrefined, and 100% pure.  or substitute with carrot seed oil (found here)

lavender essential oil

peppermint essential oil

rosemary essential oil

cedarwood essential oil

alcohol-free witch hazel – click here for the kind I use

distilled water– find in the water aisle of the grocery store

spray bottle – I like these trigger sprayers (click here).  Sometimes regular spray bottles can get clogged with oils and essential oils.  But I’ve found these kind of sprayers work really well – they don’t tend to clog and spray a nice fine mist.  perfect for sprays like this hair growth tonic.

click here for free printable label and recipe

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Please note: Products mentioned in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products and information on this page are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This website is not a substitute for professional care.  Always consult your medical doctor regarding your medical care. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Disclaimer: Please know that this website contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission. The price is exactly the same for you as it would be without the affiliate link.  Thank you for supporting me in this way.