Rice & Clove Hair Oil: A Traditional-Inspired Hair Care Recipe

Looking for a simple homemade hair oil made from ingredients you may already have in your kitchen?

Rice, cloves, and coconut oil make an interesting combination for a nourishing hair-care routine.

Rice has long been used in traditional beauty routines, while cloves are known for their naturally aromatic oils and plant compounds. Coconut oil provides a rich, conditioning base that can help hair feel softer and more manageable.

This homemade rice and clove hair oil is easy to prepare and can be used once or twice a week as part of a relaxing scalp massage and hair-care routine.

The recipe takes only a few ingredients and doesn’t require complicated equipment.

Let’s look at how to make it.

What Makes Rice & Clove Hair Oil Interesting?

Each ingredient contributes something different to this homemade oil.

🌾 Rice

Rice is commonly incorporated into traditional hair-care practices. Rice contains starches and other naturally occurring compounds, which have made rice-based preparations popular for hair conditioning and smoothing routines.

When used in an oil infusion, the goal is primarily to create a nourishing, conditioning hair treatment.

🌿 Cloves

Cloves contain aromatic compounds, including eugenol, which gives them their distinctive fragrance.

In hair-care routines, cloves are often used as an infused ingredient because of their pleasant warming aroma and traditional use in natural beauty preparations.

🥥 Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is one of the most popular natural oils for hair care.

Because of its composition, coconut oil can penetrate the hair shaft to some extent and may help reduce protein loss from hair when used as a pre-wash treatment. This makes it a particularly interesting ingredient for people with dry or damaged-feeling hair.

Together, these ingredients create a simple oil that can be used as a pre-shampoo hair treatment.

Rice & Clove Hair Oil Recipe

Ingredients

You only need three main ingredients:

• ½ cup coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons uncooked rice
• 8–10 whole cloves

Choose a clean, dry glass bottle for storing the finished oil.

How to Make Rice & Clove Hair Oil

Step 1: Prepare the Rice

Measure 2 tablespoons of uncooked rice.

Wash the rice thoroughly with water to remove surface dust and impurities.

After washing, spread it on a clean plate or towel and allow it to dry completely.

This step is important because excess water can cause problems when combined with hot oil.

Step 2: Warm the Coconut Oil

Pour ½ cup of coconut oil into a small, clean pan.

Place the pan over very low heat.

There is no need to heat the oil aggressively.

Gentle heating helps infuse the ingredients while reducing the chance of burning them.

Step 3: Add the Rice and Cloves

Once the coconut oil is warm, add:

• 2 tablespoons dried rice
• 8–10 whole cloves

Stir gently to distribute the ingredients throughout the oil.

Step 4: Infuse Over Low Heat

Continue heating on a very low flame for approximately 5–7 minutes.

Stir occasionally.

You’ll notice the cloves becoming increasingly fragrant, while the rice may gradually turn slightly golden.

Avoid overheating or burning the rice.

The oil should remain pleasant-smelling rather than smoky.

Step 5: Turn Off the Heat

Once the cloves become fragrant and the rice has taken on a light golden color, turn off the heat.

Allow the mixture to cool naturally.

Do not handle or apply the hot oil to your scalp.

Step 6: Strain the Oil

When the oil has cooled completely, strain it through a fine mesh strainer or clean cheesecloth.

Remove all of the rice and cloves.

You should be left with a fragrant infused coconut oil.

Step 7: Store Properly

Transfer the finished oil into a clean, completely dry glass bottle.

Close the lid tightly.

Store the oil in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Because this is a homemade preparation without preservatives, make relatively small batches and discard it if you notice an unusual smell, visible mold, or other signs of spoilage.

How to Use Rice & Clove Hair Oil

The best time to use this oil is before washing your hair.

Step 1: Apply the Oil

Take a small amount of the infused oil and apply it to your scalp and hair.

You don’t need to soak your hair.

A moderate amount is enough to coat the scalp lightly and condition the lengths of the hair.

Step 2: Massage Your Scalp

Using your fingertips, gently massage your scalp for approximately 5 minutes.

Use the pads of your fingers rather than your fingernails.

A gentle massage can make the hair-care routine feel relaxing and help distribute the oil evenly.

Step 3: Leave It On

Allow the oil to remain on your hair for approximately 1–2 hours.

This gives the coconut oil time to condition the hair before washing.

If your scalp tends to become oily easily, you may prefer the shorter end of this range.

Step 4: Wash Your Hair

Wash your hair with a mild shampoo.

Depending on how much oil you applied and your hair type, you may need one or two gentle washes to remove excess oil.

Allow your hair to dry naturally whenever possible.

How Often Should You Use It?

For most people, 1–2 times per week is a practical starting point.

You can adjust the frequency depending on your hair type.

For dry hair

A slightly more regular pre-wash oiling routine may feel beneficial.

For oily hair

Use a smaller amount and consider using it once a week.

For thick or coarse hair

You may prefer applying the oil mainly to the lengths and ends, where hair often feels drier.

For fine hair

Use a very small amount to avoid weighing the hair down.

5 Potential Benefits of Rice & Clove Hair Oil

1. Helps Condition Dry Hair

Coconut oil provides an emollient, conditioning base that can make dry hair feel softer and smoother.

Applying oil before shampooing can also help reduce the dry, rough feeling that some people experience after washing.

2. Helps Hair Feel Softer and More Manageable

A good hair oil can coat the strands and improve the way they feel.

After washing, hair may feel:

• Softer
• Smoother
• Less dry
• Easier to comb
• More conditioned

The effect will naturally vary depending on hair texture and condition.

3. Gives the Scalp Massage a More Relaxing Feel

The five-minute massage is an important part of this routine.

Rather than simply applying oil and immediately washing it out, gently massaging the scalp turns the process into a relaxing self-care ritual.

The warm, spicy aroma of cloves can make the experience particularly pleasant.

4. Helps Reduce the Feeling of Dryness

Dry hair and dry scalp can make hair feel rough and difficult to manage.

The oil provides a layer of conditioning that can help reduce the feeling of dryness.

For best results, use a moderate amount rather than saturating the scalp.

5. Adds Shine to the Hair

When the hair surface is well-conditioned, strands can reflect light more evenly and appear smoother and shinier.

This can make your hair look healthier and more polished.

Does Rice & Clove Oil Make Hair Grow Faster?

This is one of the most common questions about homemade hair oils.

Rice and cloves are frequently promoted online as ingredients that can “boost hair growth.”

A more practical way to think about this recipe is as a conditioning and scalp-care treatment.

There isn’t strong clinical evidence that applying rice and cloves in coconut oil directly makes human hair grow faster.

However, maintaining a healthy scalp and minimizing unnecessary hair damage are important parts of an overall hair-care routine.

So rather than expecting overnight hair growth, use this oil to:

condition → massage → soften → nourish → protect the feel of your hair.

Healthy-looking hair is usually the result of consistent care rather than a single ingredient.

Can You Use This Oil on the Scalp?

Yes, this recipe is designed to be used on the scalp as well as the hair.

However, cloves contain concentrated aromatic compounds that may irritate sensitive skin.

Before applying the oil generously, perform a small patch test.

Simple patch test

Apply a tiny amount of the finished oil to a small area of skin.

Wait and observe how your skin reacts.

If you experience significant redness, burning, itching, swelling, or irritation, wash the area and discontinue use.

Avoid using the oil on broken, irritated, or damaged skin.

Rice & Clove Hair Oil for Different Hair Types

🌿 Dry Hair

Apply a moderate amount from the scalp through the lengths and ends.

Focus especially on areas that feel dry or rough.

🌿 Frizzy Hair

Use a small amount before shampooing. The conditioning effect of coconut oil may help hair feel smoother.

🌿 Thick Hair

You can divide your hair into several sections to distribute the oil more evenly.

🌿 Fine Hair

Use less oil and concentrate on the mid-lengths and ends if your scalp becomes oily easily.

🌿 Curly Hair

Apply gently and avoid excessive rubbing or tangling while massaging.

How to Make the Oil More Aromatic

If you love the warm scent of cloves, you can slightly adjust the recipe by using the full 8–10 cloves.

However, more is not necessarily better.

Cloves are highly aromatic, so a relatively small quantity can provide plenty of fragrance.

The most important part is keeping the infusion gentle and avoiding burning the ingredients.

Important Tips for Making Homemade Hair Oil

Keep the rice completely dry

Water and oil don’t mix well, and moisture can reduce the shelf stability of a homemade preparation.

Use low heat

High heat can burn the rice and cloves and produce an unpleasant smell.

Don’t overheat coconut oil

Gentle warming is sufficient for this recipe.

Strain the oil carefully

Removing all solid ingredients makes the oil easier to apply and store.

Use a dry bottle

Moisture inside the bottle can encourage spoilage.

Make small batches

Homemade oils don’t contain commercial preservatives, so preparing smaller quantities is practical.

A Simple Weekly Hair-Care Routine

You can incorporate this recipe into a simple weekly routine.

Sunday — Deep Oil Treatment

Apply rice and clove hair oil.

Massage gently for 5 minutes.

Leave for 1–2 hours.

Wash with mild shampoo.

Wednesday — Light Conditioning

If your hair feels particularly dry, apply a small amount of coconut oil to the lengths and ends before washing.

Every Day

Focus on gentle habits:

• Avoid excessive heat styling.
• Don’t brush wet hair aggressively.
• Keep the scalp clean.
• Eat a balanced diet.
• Stay hydrated.
• Avoid unnecessarily tight hairstyles.

Small habits can make a significant difference in how your hair looks and feels over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I leave rice and clove hair oil overnight?

You can choose to leave a small amount on overnight if your scalp tolerates it, but the recipe is designed for a 1–2 hour pre-shampoo treatment. Longer application isn’t automatically more beneficial.

Can I use ground cloves instead of whole cloves?

Whole cloves are preferable for this recipe because they are easier to strain completely from the finished oil.

Can I use olive oil instead of coconut oil?

Yes. Olive oil can also be used as a carrier oil, although coconut oil is particularly popular for pre-wash hair treatments.

Can I use this oil on my hair ends?

Absolutely. In fact, people with dry or damaged-feeling ends may prefer applying more of the oil to the lengths and ends rather than concentrating it entirely on the scalp.

Can I use it every day?

There is generally no need to use this type of oil every day. Once or twice a week is a simple starting routine.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a simple homemade hair treatment, rice and clove hair oil is an easy recipe to try.

With just three ingredients—coconut oil, uncooked rice, and whole cloves—you can create a fragrant pre-shampoo treatment that fits naturally into a weekly self-care routine.

The coconut oil helps condition the hair, while rice and cloves add their traditional appeal to the recipe. A gentle five-minute scalp massage can make the process even more relaxing.

The recipe at a glance:

½ cup coconut oil
2 tablespoons uncooked rice
8–10 whole cloves

Heat gently for 5–7 minutes, cool completely, strain, and store in a clean dry bottle.

Apply to the scalp and hair, massage for 5 minutes, leave for 1–2 hours, then wash with mild shampoo.

Use 1–2 times per week.

And remember: the best way to approach natural hair care is to focus on consistent conditioning, gentle scalp care, and healthy-looking hair, rather than expecting one ingredient to dramatically change the rate of hair growth.

A little oil, a gentle massage, and a few minutes of self-care can turn an ordinary hair-washing day into a relaxing natural beauty ritual. 🌿🥥✨