A Story of Hair, Scalp, and Trusting Nature

If you’re looking for a natural hair growth oil that supports healthy roots, strengthens the scalp, and smells incredible, this is it.

Rapunzel’s Secret is a simple, plant-based recipe that blends tradition, personal care, and therapeutic aromatherapy. It began as a solution to an expensive store-bought serum, and evolved into something even better: a recipe grounded in trust, consistency, and the wisdom of plants.

Rapunzel’s Secret is my telling of a beautiful guest recipe created by Elan Fleck, a blend she originally formulated about four years ago. At the time, Elan was using a very expensive hair product she loved, but the cost simply did not feel sustainable. Instead of giving up on what was working, she turned the bottle over, studied the ingredient list, and decided to create her own version using only all natural ingredients.

Her intention was practical and grounded. She wanted to save money, avoid unnecessary additives, and work with ingredients she could recognize and trust. What emerged from that process was a replacement and a formula that felt fresher, more alive, and deeply supportive to her scalp.

And if you have ever seen Elan’s hair, you already know how well this approach works. Her hair is truly gorgeous, healthy, and vibrant, and it reflects years of gentle, consistent care rather than quick fixes.

I have found it deeply satisfying to make hair care with my own hands, especially when every ingredient comes straight from the plant world. And I know you’ll feel the same way! It is intentional, and made with pure and natural ingredients nature has provided. Through this recipe, Elan discovered what many of us eventually learn.

Healthy hair growth responds best to a gentle, supportive approach. The scalp is living tissue, and like any living system, it responds best when it feels supported rather than stressed. 

Rapunzel’s Secret grew out of that understanding. When circulation is encouraged, when follicles stay clear, and when the scalp is nourished instead of stripped, hair naturally begins to thrive.

Why this hair oil supports healthy growth:

• Nourishes the scalp with rich, plant-based carrier oils

• Encourages circulation with carefully selected essential oils

• Supports hair density and resilience over time

• Helps clear buildup and maintain follicle health

• Free of preservatives, silicones, and synthetic additives

• Made entirely from whole, unrefined, organic ingredients

This Hair Growth and Scalp Oil is completely preservative free and made only with whole, natural ingredients. Every oil in the blend was chosen with care, not to overpower the scalp, but to work quietly in the background, day after day.

Ingredient Benefits

Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis)

• Mimics the scalp’s natural sebum

• Helps regulate oil production

• Softens buildup around follicles

• Certified organic and cold-pressed from Israeli-grown plants

The blend begins with jojoba oil, a plant oil that behaves beautifully on the scalp. Because it closely resembles our own sebum, jojoba helps the scalp find balance rather than forcing change. It softens buildup around follicles, supports moisture without clogging, and encourages the scalp to regulate itself over time. The jojoba used here is certified organic and cold pressed from the first pressing of the beans of shrub like plants grown in Israel, with no added heat, preserving the oil’s natural integrity.

Avocado Oil (Persea gratissima)

• Deeply nourishing and rich in fatty acids

• Supports scalp elasticity and skin barrier health

• Virgin and unrefined for maximum nutrients

Avocado oil follows, bringing depth and nourishment. This rich, green oil supports the scalp and hair from the root outward, helping maintain softness, elasticity, and resilience. The avocado oil in this recipe comes from certified organic avocados grown in Kenya and is left virgin and unrefined so it retains its full spectrum of nutrients. It is especially supportive when the scalp feels dry, stressed, or depleted.

Apricot Kernel Oil (Prunus armeniaca)

• Lightweight, soothing, and non-comedogenic

• Eases irritation and supports sensitive scalps

• Pressed from wild, heirloom apricot kernels

Apricot kernel oil brings softness and calm to the blend. Sourced from wild, heirloom apricot trees that have grown for centuries in the Himalayan valleys, this oil has never been hybridized. Pressed gently from the kernels inside small, sweet apricots, it feels light, silky, and reassuring on the scalp. It supports sensitive skin, eases irritation, and adds comfort without heaviness.

Castor Oil (Ricinus communis)

• Strengthens roots and supports circulation

• Adds natural shine and volume to hair over time

• Unrefined and traditionally pressed in India

Castor oil provides quiet strength. Long valued in traditional hair care, it supports circulation, helps the scalp retain moisture, and gives hair a fuller, more substantial feel over time. The castor oil used here is certified organic, unrefined, and cold pressed in India. While the raw castor bean contains ricin, that compound does not pass through the cold pressing process, leaving a safe, nourishing oil that has been trusted for generations.

Once the carrier oils are blended, the essential oils are added with intention.

Essential Oils for Circulation & Balance

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Lavender Kashmir softens the blend and brings harmony. Grown high in the Himalayan valleys and artisan distilled in small batches, this lavender has a gentle, honey-like floral aroma. It supports healthy scalp tissue and helps calm stress related tension, creating a relaxed environment where regeneration can unfold naturally.

Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)

Peppermint gently wakes up the scalp. Used carefully and in low dilution, it brings a cooling freshness that encourages circulation without irritation. This peppermint is organically grown and steam distilled from small Italian fields, giving it a crisp, clean character that feels bright but balanced.

Rosemary ct. verbenone (Salvia rosmarinus ct. verbenone)

Rosemary ct. verbenone ties the formula together. This chemotype was chosen intentionally for long term use, as it supports circulation and renewal without overstimulation. Steam distilled from certified organic plants grown in South Africa, it has a fresh, herbal aroma that feels steady and grounding. Over time, it supports hair density and vitality in a way that is gradual and sustainable.

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)

Tea tree supports clarity and balance. A healthy scalp is the foundation for healthy hair, and tea tree helps maintain that environment by supporting follicle clarity and a balanced scalp ecosystem. Steam distilled from wild tea trees in Australia, it works quietly to keep the scalp comfortable and clear.

There are times when stronger stimulation is useful.

Rosemary ct. camphor can be helpful for short term applications on sluggish scalps, and eucalyptus may be used when dandruff or lice support is needed. But for everyday care, this recipe continues to shine in its gentler form.

What makes Rapunzel’s Secret so effective is not any single ingredient, but the way they work together over time. The carrier oils nourish and protect. The essential oils encourage circulation, balance, and clarity. Jojoba keeps the blend light and breathable, while avocado and castor provide depth and strength.

This is hair care built on patience, consistency, and trust in plants.

• Fresh ingredients

• Whole plants.

• Free of preservatives

• No shortcuts

When you blend directly from nature, you’re caring for your hair and tending to a deeper relationship with the plants themselves.

This recipe is a reminder that small rituals, made with intention and integrity, often bring the most lasting change.

Rapunzel’s Secret

Yield: 1 fl oz (30 mL) glass dropper bottle

Carrier Oils (30 mL total)

This version is still balanced but weighted toward jojoba for a lighter, more scalp-compatible feel.

• 12 ml Jojoba oil (Simmondsia chinensis)

• 6 ml Avocado oil (Persea gratissima)

• 6 ml Apricot kernel oil (Prunus armeniaca)

• 6 ml Castor oil (Ricinus communis)

Jojoba makes up the largest portion, helping the blend absorb easily while still benefiting from castor’s richness and avocado’s deep nourishment.

Essential Oils

For 1 oz (30 mL) total carrier oil, add 18-20 drops total:

• 8 drops Rosemary ct. verbenone (Salvia rosmarinus ct. verbenone)

• 4 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

• 4 drops Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)

• 4 drops Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)

How to Make

1. Measure carrier oils and combine in a glass beaker, measuring cup, or directly into a 1 fl oz glass dropper bottle.

2. Add essential oils.

3. Stir gently or swirl to blend.

4. If blended in a separate container, transfer to a 1 fl oz glass dropper bottle.

5. Label with ingredients and date.

How to Use Rapunzel’s Secret Hair Oil

• Use 1–2 dropperfuls on a clean, dry scalp before bed or as a pre-wash treatment

• Massage gently for 3–5 minutes to stimulate circulation

• Leave on for at least 30 minutes or overnight

• Wash out with a gentle, non-stripping shampoo

• Use 2–3 times per week for best results

FAQs About Rapunzel’s Secret Hair Oil

Can I use this oil on color-treated or chemically processed hair?
Yes. All of the ingredients are gentle, natural, and non-stripping. The essential oils are used at a skin-safe dilution and do not interfere with color treatments.

How often should I use this oil?
For best results, 2–3 times per week as a pre-wash scalp treatment is ideal. Some may enjoy using it more frequently, especially if the scalp is feeling dry, tight, or depleted.

How long should I leave it on?
At least 30 minutes, though many people find overnight treatments most beneficial. Be sure to use a non-stripping shampoo to remove the oil without disrupting the scalp.

Can I adjust the essential oils or use what I have?
Absolutely. While this recipe is balanced for long-term use, it’s flexible. Just stay within a safe dilution (around 2% or less for regular scalp use) and choose oils that support clarity, circulation, or comfort.

Will this make my hair grow faster?
It’s more accurate to say this oil creates the ideal conditions for growth. When the scalp is nourished, circulation is supported, and buildup is gently cleared, hair is better able to thrive.

My Takeaway

This recipe reminds me of why I love working with plants. It’s simple, nourishing, and effective.

What sets this blend apart is the care that went into every choice. Each ingredient was selected for its ability to support the scalp over time, and also for how well it works in relationship with the others: gently nourishing, encouraging balance, and creating the kind of environment where healthy growth can take place at a steady pace.

When you make something like this with your own hands, using oils you understand and trust, it becomes an intentional sustainable step in your routine and a part of how you care for yourself. That relationship, with your scalp, your hair, and the plants you're working with, starts to deepen. 

With consistent use, this oil supports clarity and circulation, while offering long-term nourishment. The changes may be gradual, but they’re real and attainable!