Reetha vs Rosemary: Which is better for quick hair growth?

When it comes to hair growth , we’ll try just about anything. Onion juice? Been there. Rice water? Tried that. But two ingredients that have been in the hair care spotlight (and in our grandma’s beauty secrets) are Reetha and Rosemary. Both are totally natural, have their own loyal fan clubs, and claim to give you longer, stronger hair.

But if you're in a hurry to grow your hair out - like, yesterday which one actually works better?

Let’s break it down.

First up, what’s Reetha?
Reetha, or soapnut, has been a go-to in Indian households for ages. It’s basically nature’s OG shampoo. When soaked and boiled, it lathers up like soap, minus all the chemicals. But it’s not just a cleanser, it does way more than that.

Reetha can:
Deep clean your scalp

Help reduce dandruff

Strengthen your roots

Add softness and shine

If your scalp is full of product buildup, gunk, or oil, Reetha gets it all out without stripping your hair dry. And let’s be honest, a clean scalp is the first step to growing healthy hair.

Now meet Rosemary, YouTube's favourite hair growth hero
Rosemary is the herb that’s suddenly everywhere, especially in the form of rosemary oil. And there’s actually science behind the hype. Studies show it can work just as well as minoxidil (yep, the stuff in hair regrowth treatments).

Rosemary is great for:
Boosting blood circulation in the scalp

Reawakening sleepy hair follicles

Reducing hair fall

Thickening your strands over time

If your hairline’s thinning or you’re noticing bald patches, rosemary might just be the hero you need.

How do they actually help with hair growth?
Reetha works by creating the perfect environment.
It doesn’t directly grow hair super fast, but it gives your scalp a serious detox. It removes dandruff, buildup, and excess oil, which can clog your follicles and slow down growth. Think of it as prepping the soil before planting.

Rosemary, on the other hand, is a follicle stimulator.
It helps bring more oxygen and nutrients to your roots, which encourages new hair to grow faster and stronger. If your goal is to speed things up and see baby hairs popping, rosemary is the one.

Ease of use? Let’s talk convenience.
Reetha takes a little effort. You need to soak it, boil it, and make a DIY hair cleanser. Or, you can buy Reetha-based shampoos, but most people still swear by the homemade version. It’s effective, but kind of messy.

Rosemary is super easy. Just mix rosemary oil with a carrier oil (like coconut or almond), massage it into your scalp, leave it on for a few hours or overnight, and wash it out. You can even make a rosemary water rinse by boiling a few sprigs in water and using that after shampooing.

So if you’re all about low-effort routines, rosemary wins this round.

Any side effects to worry about?
Both are pretty safe if used right, but a few things to note:

Reetha can dry your hair out if you use it too often or don’t follow up with conditioner or oil.

Rosemary oil is strong stuff, never apply it straight to your scalp. Always dilute it first, or you could end up with a tingly, irritated scalp.

Pro tip: Always do a patch test before trying anything new, natural or not.

So, who’s the winner for quick hair growth?
Here’s the deal:

If you want to cleanse and strengthen your scalp and keep things super natural, Reetha is your girl.

But if you’re looking to boost growth faster and actually see results sooner, Rosemary has the edge.

That said, why not use both?
Start by washing your hair with a gentle Reetha cleanser once or twice a week, then massage in rosemary oil before bed a few times a week. Together, they make a pretty powerful hair growth team.

There’s no overnight miracle for Rapunzel hair, but with consistency (and a little patience), both Reetha and Rosemary can give you amazing results. If you want quicker growth, rosemary is the one to lean on. If you want a super healthy scalp, Reetha’s your best friend.

Honestly, your hair deserves the best of both worlds.

So, go ahead brew that Reetha, oil up with Rosemary, and let your hair do the talking.