Rice and cloves have become popular ingredients in homemade hair-care routines. Rice contains starch and other compounds that may help hair feel smoother, while cloves contain aromatic plant compounds. However, there is not enough evidence to say that rice and clove oil makes hair grow faster, stops hair loss, or guarantees long, strong hair.

Still, you can prepare a simple infused oil to use as a pre-shampoo treatment for the scalp and hair.

Ingredients

• ½ cup rice
• 1 tablespoon whole cloves
• 1 cup coconut oil, olive oil, or jojoba oil
• A clean, dry glass jar
• Fine strainer or cheesecloth

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Wash the Rice

Place the rice in a bowl and rinse it thoroughly with water.

After washing, dry the rice completely before putting it into oil. Moisture can encourage spoilage.

2. Prepare the Cloves

Measure about 1 tablespoon of whole cloves.

Lightly crush a few cloves with the back of a spoon to help release their aromatic compounds, but don’t turn them into powder.

3. Combine the Ingredients

Place the completely dry rice and cloves into a clean glass jar.

Pour in 1 cup of your chosen carrier oil, making sure all of the ingredients are covered.

4. Warm the Mixture

Place the jar in a saucepan containing warm water, creating a gentle water bath.

Warm it on low heat for approximately 20–30 minutes.

Do not boil the oil or heat it aggressively.

5. Allow It to Cool

Remove the jar from the water bath and allow the oil to cool completely.

For a stronger infusion, you can then leave the sealed jar in a cool, dark place for several days.

6. Strain the Oil

Pour the mixture through a fine strainer or cheesecloth.

Remove all rice and clove pieces.

Only keep the strained oil.

7. Store Properly

Transfer the oil into a clean, dry bottle with a tight lid.

Keep it away from direct sunlight and heat.

Because homemade preparations don’t contain professional preservatives, make small batches and discard the oil if it develops an unusual smell, appearance, or signs of contamination.

How to Use Rice & Clove Hair Oil

Step 1: Start With a Patch Test

Before applying the oil to your scalp, put a small amount on a small area of skin.

Wait to see whether redness, itching, burning, or swelling develops.

Clove is particularly important to patch-test because concentrated clove compounds can irritate sensitive skin.

Step 2: Apply a Small Amount

Part your hair into sections and apply a small amount of oil to the scalp.

Massage gently with your fingertips for a few minutes.

Avoid scratching or aggressively rubbing the scalp.

Step 3: Apply to the Hair Lengths

If your hair is dry, you can apply a small amount to the middle and ends of the hair.

This can help reduce the feeling of dryness and improve shine.

Step 4: Leave It on

Leave the oil on for approximately 20–30 minutes before washing.

There is no need to leave it overnight, particularly if you have sensitive skin or an easily irritated scalp.

Step 5: Wash Your Hair

Wash thoroughly with a gentle shampoo.

You may need two washes if your hair feels oily afterward.

Can Rice & Clove Oil Make Hair Grow Faster?

There is no strong clinical evidence that this homemade oil causes rapid hair growth.

Hair grows from follicles beneath the scalp, and hair loss can have many causes, including genetics, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, medications, thyroid disorders, stress, and scalp conditions.

An oil may make the hair shaft feel softer and look shinier, but that is different from stimulating new hair growth.

Tips for Healthier-Looking Hair

For stronger-looking hair, focus on the basics:

• Eat enough protein and a varied diet.
• Avoid excessive heat styling.
• Limit very tight hairstyles that pull on the roots.
• Use conditioner regularly.
• Handle wet hair gently.
• Protect hair from excessive sun and chemical damage.
• Keep the scalp clean and comfortable.

If you’re experiencing sudden or significant hair loss, bald patches, scalp pain, severe itching, or thinning that continues for several months, it is worth discussing the cause with a dermatologist.

Final Thoughts

Rice and clove oil can be used as an occasional conditioning hair treatment, but it shouldn’t be advertised as a guaranteed hair-growth remedy.

The goal should be healthy scalp care and minimizing hair damage—not expecting a homemade oil to produce dramatic results overnight.

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