Abstract

HERBAL SHAMPOOS: NATURE'S SOLUTION FOR HEALTHY HAIR

Maya Gajanan Gadre*, Dr. Amita B. Dongare, Fatima I. Mevekari

Abstract

Recently, the demand for herbal-based cosmetic products has increased considerably as a result of rising awareness of the adverse effects of synthetic chemicals on human health and the environment. Among these, herbal shampoos have become one of the best alternatives to conventional hair-cleansing formulations. Herbal shampoos are becoming popular because they are safer and gentler than regular chemical shampoos. Most chemical shampoos contain strong cleaning agents, artificial fragrances, and preservatives that can irritate the scalp, cause dryness, and damage hair. Herbal shampoos, on the other hand, are made from natural ingredients that clean the hair gently and are also better for the environment. Beside chemical-based shampoos containing surfactants that are irritating to the scalp, besides synthetic fragrances and preservatives, which may cause scalp irritation, dryness, and hair damage, herbal shampoos contain ingredients derived from natural sources, which are gentle, efficient, and biodegradable in nature. This review focuses on the preparation and benefits of herbal shampoos prepared from plant-based extracts such as hibiscus, amla, shikakai, soapnut, cassia, bhringraj, and aloe vera. These natural ingredients contain helpful compounds like saponins, flavonoids, tannins, vitamins, and essential oils. All of these work together to clean the scalp, make hair roots stronger, promote hair growth, reduce dandruff, and improve the overall texture of the hair. The essential or volatile oils are extracted from the flowers, barks, stem, leaves, roots, fruits and other parts of the plant by various methods. It came into existence after the scientists deciphered the antiseptic and skin permeability properties of essential oils.[3] Making herbal shampoos involves mixing different plant extracts to get good cleaning and conditioning effects. It also requires making sure the shampoo stays stable, safe to use, and suitable for consumers. This paper also examines the parameters, such as pH balance, foaming ability, surface tension, viscosity, stability, and antimicrobial activity, which are essential for product formulation this explains the environmental advantages of herbal shampoos. They are non-toxic, biodegradable, and can be paired with eco-friendly packaging. Herbal shampoos offer a safe, effective, and environmentally friendly option for hair care.

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