Preparation and Evolution of Herbal Anti-Fungal Shampoo

In the modern era, personal grooming and cleanliness have become crucial facets of everyday living, with hair care being a particularly major concern. Shampoo is one of the most important hair care products. ^[1] Traditionally, shampoos are defined as cleansing formulations designed to remove dirt, oil, environmental pollutants, and microbial load from the scalp and hair. ^[2] However, the commercial shampoo industry has predominantly relied on synthetic detergents, preservatives, and fragrances. While these synthetic products offer instant cleansing, they often lead to adverse effects such as scalp irritation, hair dryness, follicular damage, and allergic reactions over long-term use. ^[3] This increasing awareness of the harmful effects of synthetic cosmetic products has fuelled a global trend toward natural and herbal alternatives. Consumers today seek products that not only fulfil cosmetic functions but also support holistic well-being. ^[4] Herbal shampoos are emerging as a safe and effective substitute. Herbal shampoos are typically made using plant-derived ingredients that provide mild cleansing while nourishing the scalp and promoting hair health. ^[5] The Indian subcontinent has a rich heritage in the use of herbal formulations for personal care. Herbs like amla (Emblica officinalis), ritha (Sapindus mukorossi), and shikakai (Acacia concinna) have been traditionally used as natural hair cleansers and conditioners. ^[6] These ingredients not only clean the scalp but also strengthen hair roots, prevent dandruff, and promote shine. Recent innovations have expanded herbal formulations to include ingredients like guava leaf (Psidium guajava) for its antibacterial and antifungal properties, lemon (Citrus limon) for its astringent and pH-balancing effects, and aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) for its soothing, moisturizing, and regenerative capabilities.^[7] Despite their proven advantages, herbal shampoos face challenges in market acceptance primarily due to consumer expectations shaped by synthetic products-such as excessive foaming and bright colouring-which are often misinterpreted as signs of superior cleansing power. Nevertheless, the move toward sustainability, safety, and organic living has created a favourable environment for herbal cosmetics to grow and thrive.^[8] In this, the present study is aimed at the formulation and comprehensive evaluation of herbal shampoo using a synergistic blend of amla, ritha, shikakai, guava leaf, lemon, and aloe vera.^[9] The goal is to develop a product that provides effective cleansing, imparts shine and softness to hair, maintains scalp health, and eliminates the use of harmful synthetic additives. This research emphasizes scientific evaluation alongside traditional knowledge to validate the effectiveness and quality of the herbal formulation.

MATERIALS & METHODS:

1. Chemicals & Plant Materials

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Methyl Paraben, Propyl Paraben, Distilled water, Amla, Ritha Shikakai, Guava, Leaf, Lemon and Aloe Vera were collected from the chemical store of School of Pharmacy, Seacom Skills University, Birbhum, West Bengal, India.

2. Procedure

a. Preparation of Retha extract

It is prepared by cold maceration method. 10 gm of Ritha powder in 70% ethyl alcohol (30mL) then filter it using filter-paper. ^[10]

b. Preparation of Amla extract

10 gm of Amla powder in 50 ml water and boil it using hot water bath and then filter it using filter-paper. ^[11]

c.  Preparation of Shikakai extract

10 gm of Shikakai powder boiled in 50 ml water using hot water bath cool it at room temperature and then filter it using filter-paper. ^[12]

d. Preparation of Aloe vera extract

Fresh aloe vera leaves were washed, and the gel was scooped out and blended. The gel was filtered through muslin cloth to obtain a clear extract and used immediately. ^[13]

e. Preparation of Guava extract

10 gm of dried guava leaf powder was added to 50 mL of distilled water and boiled using a hot water bath for 20 minutes. The mixture was then filtered using filter-paper to obtain the extract. ^[14]

f. Preparation of Lemon Extract

Fresh lemon juice was manually extracted from ripe lemons and squeeze it and filter it using filter-paper. 5 mL of filtered juice was used directly in the formulation as a natural pH adjuster and antimicrobial agent. ^[15]

g. Preparation of the Herbal Shampoo

Amla, Ritha, Shikakai, Guava leaf, Lemon juice and Aloe vera gel herbal extracts were measured and mixed in a clean beaker. Then, 10 gm of sodium lauryl sulfate, 1 gm of methyl paraben, 1 gm of propyl paraben and 2-3 drop of rose water were added in this mixture. After that, the mixture was blended thoroughly using a mortar and pestle until a uniform, homogenous paste was obtained. This manual mixing ensures even dispersion of both herbal and chemical components without heat. Then transferred the blended mixture into a 100 mL measuring cylinder and final volume up to 100 ml. Then, the final herbal shampoo formulation was stored in a sterile, amber-coloured bottle at room temperature for further evaluation. ^{[10, 16]}

EVALUATION TESTS:

a. pH Determination

The pH was measured using a calibrated digital pH meter by diluting 1 ml of shampoo in 9 ml of distilled water. ^[17]

b. Foam Ability Test

5 mL of shampoo was added to a 50 ml measuring cylinder with 25 mL distilled water. Then, the cylinder was stoppered and shaken 10 times vertically and foam height was measured immediately (Figure 1). ^[17]

Figure 1: Foam ability test

c. Foaming Index Test

Prepare a 1% shampoo solution and take 10 ml of this solution into 5 test tubes. Shake each test tube 10 times vertically then measure foam height immediately and after 5 minutes using a ruler. ^[18]

d. Solid Content Determination

4 ml of shampoo was weighed and placed in a pre-weighed evaporating dish and heat on a hot plate until completely dry. Then, measured the weight of residue (Figure 2).^[18]