Tea tree oil and castor oil are both great at promoting skin and hair health. They have moisturizing properties, nutrients, and antibacterial properties, among many other benefits.

Because of these wonderful properties, it’s easy to believe that a combination of castor and tea tree oil can help with hair growth. But, can it really help grow hair?

Exactly How To Use Castor Oil And Tea Tree Oil For Hair Growth

The short answer is that we don’t know for sure. There haven’t been enough studies completed to suggest that these oils promote hair growth. Either way, you will notice an improvement in your hair and scalp health.

Below, I cover what exactly tea tree oil and castor oil are along with their benefits for hair before discussing whether you should use them together for hair growth. I then describe exactly how you can use them in your hair for results.

What Is Tea Tree Oil?

Tea tree oil is an essential oil that is derived from the leaves of the tea tree that grows in Australia. The tree grows on the southeast coast of Australia and can be found in swampy habitats. The oil is taken from the leaves through steam distillation.

Traditionally, the oil has been used by Australian aboriginals for centuries as an antiseptic. They would crust the leaves to extract the oils. They would then inhale the oils to treat colds, or they would apply it to their skin to treat skin problems.

Tea tree oil is also sometimes referred to as melaleuca oil, or Melaleuca alternifolia.

Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil

Health Benefits

Tea tree oil contains a significant amount of the compound terpinen-4-ol which has antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties. These properties make the oil ideal to use on the skin. Many people use the oil to treat skin irritations like acne, lice, nail fungus, athlete’s foot, and insect bites.

The oil is also good for fighting off germs because the Terpinen-4-ol increases white blood cell activity. When your white blood cells are more active, they can better fight off infection and illness.

Purchasing Products

You can purchase tea tree oil as a concentrated essential oil, or you can purchase products that include tea tree oil as an ingredient. Many beauty and health products contain a bit of tea tree oil, like lotions, soaps, and some topical medications.

Purchasing products with tea tree oil is often simpler than buying the essential oil because it’s already diluted and will be gentler on your skin. Also, you will get the benefits of the tea tree oil as well as the other ingredients.

Do Not Ingest It

Unlike castor oil, tea tree oil should only be used topically. You should never ingest it because it is toxic when swallowed. When too much tea tree oil is ingested, you will begin to notice neurological issues.

Tea tree oil ingestion may cause confusion and eventual loss of consciousness. People may also experience ataxia which is a loss of muscle control. In the most severe cases, people may experience trouble breathing and may even slip into a coma.

Topical Use

Always use caution when using it topically because some people may be allergic, or have a skin sensitivity to tea tree oil. If your skin becomes irritated or you notice a rash, itching, burning, stinging, dryness, redness, or scaling of your skin, you should stop use.

Tea tree oil is not good to use by people who have eczema. Those with sensitive skin may also find that their skin becomes irritated when using pure tea tree oil. If you have sensitive skin, it’s a better to dilute the tea tree oil with coconut, olive, or almond oil.

Click here to buy tea tree oil to get started!

What Are The Benefits Of Using Tea Tree Oil In Your Hair?

Dandruff

Because tea tree oil has antifungal properties, people have found it useful in reducing dandruff. Dandruff is the flaking of the scalp which can be embarrassing and cause significant itching and irritation.

To treat dandruff, the best option is to add a few drops of tea tree oil to your shampoo. You can add the oil directly to your shampoo bottle; just be sure to mix it thoroughly. Others prefer to put a dollop of shampoo on their palm and add a few drops of oil on top.

Tea tree oil is slightly more acidic than skin, and it reduces the growth of yeast in the skin. These properties help prevent dandruff and can relieve itchiness and scaling.

Prevents Hair Loss & Promotes Growth

There is some anecdotal evidence that suggests that tea tree oil can prevent hair loss. The oil is rich in antioxidants such as vitamin A, C, and E. These antioxidants also reduce inflammation. The antioxidants combined with the antibacterial terpinen-4-ol reduces your risk of hair loss.

There is not sufficient evidence to suggest that tea tree oil can promote hair growth. However, the healing properties in tea tree oil will help your scalp and hair to be healthier. When your scalp and hair is healthier, you are more likely to see growth.

It’s A Good Cleanser

Tea tree oil is great to use in addition to your shampoo because it helps to clean your hair. The antioxidants found in the oil will help to remove dirt and other impurities from your hair. When your hair is clean, it will also look and feel healthier.

It Prevents Split Ends

The antioxidants in tea tree oil will remove free radicals that cause damage to cells. This will prevent your hair from developing split ends and becoming damaged.

What Is Castor Oil?

Castor oil is a type of vegetable oil that has been derived from the castor bean plant. The plants are native to warm, tropical areas of Africa. People have been using castor oil for thousands of years to treat things like acne, constipation, and wound healing.

To learn more about castor oil and its beneficial properties, check out this article.

Click here to buy castor oil to get started now!

What Are The Benefits Of Using Castor Oil In Your Hair?

There is a lot of anecdotal evidence to suggest that castor oil can promote hair health and growth. However, just as with tea tree oil, there has not been enough research done to prove its usefulness.

Seeds And Castor Oil
Castor Oil and seeds

It Helps Relieve Itchy Scalp & Dandruff

Castor oil is a very thick oil that is moisturizing and does a great job of penetrating the skin membranes. Because it easily gets into the skin, it can lock in moisture. It also pulls moisture directly from the air to keep your skin and hair healthier. When your scalp is properly moisturized, you are less likely to experience symptoms of itchiness.

In the same way, the added moisture in castor oil can relieve and prevent dandruff. Castor oil also has antibacterial and antifungal properties which prevents your scalp from developing an infection. When your scalp is protected against infection, you’ll also have protection against dandruff.

It Repairs & Strengthens Hair

Castor oil is made up of fatty acids and vitamin E which work to reduce inflammation and add nutrients to the scalp. This, in turn, will help to improve the strength and health of your hair.

While the fatty acids work to reduce inflammation, the vitamin E improves circulation in the scalp. Improved circulation means that your scalp is receiving more blood, which in turn provides your scalp and hair follicles with more nutrients.

When the pH is unbalanced in your scalp, it can also cause problems with your hair and scalp health. Castor oil has the same pH as a healthy scalp, so it can return your unbalanced scalp’s pH back to normal.

Should You Apply Tea Tree Oil And Castor Oil For Hair Growth? Does It Work?

There is not enough scientific evidence to suggest that this combination of oils will help with hair growth. A few studies have been done on tea tree oil that suggests it may be helpful in treating acne and some skin infections. However, even these studies are insufficient to say for sure that the oil is helpful.

Although there is much anecdotal evidence showing that tea tree oil and castor oil may be helpful, we can’t know for sure. In the United States, essential oils are not monitored or regulated by the FDA.

What we do know is that tea tree oil and castor oil will help your hair become healthier. When your hair is healthier, it is more likely to grow. It is more likely that the oils help your hair grow by improving your hair’s overall health, rather than having a direct effect on hair growth.

If you decided to use oils for your health, it’s important that you consult your doctor first. Also, be sure to research the brands you’d like to use so that you only use top-quality products.

How To Use Castor Oil And Tea Tree Oil For Hair Growth

As A Shampoo

This is one of the easiest ways to introduce castor oil and tea tree oil to your hair. The shampoo acts as a diluent so that the oils aren’t so harsh on your skin, and it continues to clean your hair as usual.

Simply add a few drops of each oil to your shampoo, mix thoroughly, and use the shampoo as usual.

castor and tea tree oil on hair

As A Conditioner

This is the most popular way of using the two oils because it seems to be most effective. Usually, you will leave the oil mixture on your hair for at least half an hour, but many people leave it on overnight.

Here is a recipe:

[mv_create key=”26″ type=”recipe” title=”Castor Oil & Tea Tree Mask” thumbnail=”null”]

You can then apply the mixture evenly to your hair. Be sure to apply most of the mixture to your scalp and roots and allow it to sit on your hair for 2 hours. After this, you can shampoo and condition your hair as usual.

You should do this at least twice a week to notice results.

[mv_create key=”27″ type=”recipe” title=”Castor Oil & Tea Tree Oil Conditioner” thumbnail=”null”]

You can then massage the mixture evenly on your scalp for 8-10 minutes with your fingers. After this, cover your hair with a shower cap and allow the mixture to sit in your hair for at least half an hour before you rinse with cold water.

Conclusion

Tea tree and castor oil are both excellent products to use to improve the overall health of your scalp and hair. We don’t know for sure whether the oils promote hair growth because we still need to perform more studies. It’s more likely that the oils simply improve the health of your hair which can improve hair growth as a result.

Even though we don’t know for sure if castor and tea tree oils promote hair growth, we do know that you’ll notice that your scalp and hair look and feel healthier.

Click here to buy castor oil and here for tea tree oil to get started now!

Learn about using castor oil with aloe vera on your hair here or rosemary oil here. Find all our guides to using castor oil here.

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