Formulation of Herbal Shampoo to Treat Dandruff Volume 3 - Issue 2

Krishna Sailaja A*, Veena RE and Vishwanayani D

• Department of pharmaceutics, RBVRR women’s college of pharmacy, Osmania university, India

Received: October 01, 2019;   Published:October 15, 2019

Corresponding author:Krishna Sailaja A, Department of pharmaceutics, RBVRR women’s college of pharmacy, Osmania university, India

DOI: 10.32474/DDIPIJ.2019.03.000158

Abstract PDF

The main objective of the present article is to avoid the adverse effects associated with the existing synthetic shampoo by formulating a herbal shampoo for the treatment of dandruff. Malassezia furfur is the fungus that is naturally seen on the skin surface of humans and is associated with seborrheic dermatitis, folliculitis and atopic dermatitis. Shampoos are used to remove the oil, dirt, skin particles, dandruff, and other contaminant particle that usually build up in hair which are responsible for dandruff. The major drawback of the presently available potent synthetic drugs lies in their toxicity and reappearance of symptoms after discontinuation. An herbal shampoo was prepared by using Rosemary oil which has anti-fungistatic activity and also a definite scalp stimulator and in combination with the thyme oil, hibiscus, tulasi, will reduce inflammation and promote the growth of hair by promoting soothing effect and supply nutrients to the hair follicle.

Keywords:Malassezia Furfur; Rosemary Oil; Thyme Oil; Hibiscus Flowers

Dandruff involves flakes of skin (dead skin cells) which will combine with oil, dirt particles and form dandruff. It is also caused by the naturally occurring fungus like Malassezia furfur and is associated with seborrheic dermatitis (a skin condition that causes scaly patches and red skin mainly on scalp). [1] Dandruff is not contagious or serious condition but sometimes it may create problem to treat [2]. Normally each skin cells shed off at certain time period, in this case the shredded cells will combine to form the dandruff [3]. Malassezia globosa is a fungus that metabolizes triglycerides present in the sebum to oleic acid under the influence of lipase enzyme. During dandruff the levels of oleic acid increases where it penetrates to epidermis – stratum corneum and cause an inflammatory response and results in cleavage of stratum corneum cells. [3,4] Signs and symptoms:

a) Itchy scalp

b) Flakiness

c) Red and greasy patches of skin

d) Tingly feeling on the skin [5].

According to one study, dandruff has been shown to be possibly the result of three factors [6]:

a) Skin oil is referred to as sebum or sebaceous secretions

b) The metabolic by-products of skin micro-organisms (mostly malassezia yeasts)

c) Individual susceptibility and allergy sensitivity.

Micro-organisms also play a major role in the formation of dandruff like- propionobacterium, staphylococcus. Some of the side effects associated with the synthetic drugs present in the shampoos are

a) Mild skin itching, dry skin, abnormal hair texture, scalp pustules, rash, headache, eye and skin irritation, hair follicle damage, hair loss.

b) Synthetic fragrancesmay cause-dizziness, rash, hyper pigmentation, coughing, vomiting etc.

c) And majorly relapsing occurs after the discontinuation of the medication.[7]

Table 1: The DR lesion types descriptions.

So inorder to overcome such adverse effects herbal based preparations are gaining more access now-a-days because of its multiple uses associated with the single herb (Table 1).

Herbal shampoo is prepared by using two cups of water and subjected to boil and now add the herbs then remove from the heat and cover with aluminium foil for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes strain the herbal extract in different proportions and add essential oils and mix well and add shampoo base of kunkudkai and shikakai and stored in the suitable container [12].

The herbs that are used in shampoo preparation are safer for the scalp to reduce the itchty effect and dandruff and are found to be effective than the synthetic shampoos. In case of herbal shampoo there is no deposition of the ingredients on the scalp whereas in case of the synthetic formulation there is deposition of chemicals which causes hair damage.

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