Formulation And Evaluation of Herbal Shampoo for Promoting Hair Growth and Anti-Dandruff Effect

Hairs are the integral part of human hair is also known as crown for human for this reason, hair require special care to kept it shine, smooth, difficult to broken & easy to combed. People are using herbal products for managing hair, cleaning, & beautifying purpose since ancient era.  The product, which is use for cleaning, modifying the texture, changing of the color, giving life to the stressed hair, providing the nourishment to the hair & giving the healthy look to the hair is called as hair care products. This products in day-to-day life causes dandruff it is a major & common problem now days. The main reason of dandruff is not visible properly, but there are many factors such as oily scalp, poor hygiene leading to fungal infections & it become more often is hair is not washed for a on week. In this condition flakes on scalp produces, causes itching on skin.  Various factors affect hair health, including genetics, nutrition, hormonal balance, environmental exposure, use of harsh chemicals, and poor scalp hygiene. Common hair problems such as dandruff, hair fall, breakage, dryness, and split ends are often aggravated by synthetic hair products. Traditional hair care systems across many cultures have relied on herbs and natural ingredients to cleanse, condition, and protect the hair. Herbal shampoos are developed to meet the growing demand for safe and effective alternatives to synthetic hair cleansers.

Anatomy of hair

The hair is made up of 95% keratin a fibrous, helicoidal protein (shaped like a helix) that forms part of the skin and all its attachments (body hair, nails etc.). The hair structure consists of 3 different parts:

Medulla: It is the innermost layer of the hair shaft, made up of an amorphous, soft, oily substances.

Cuticle: Thin protective outer layer that contains nutrients beneficial for hair growth. It is highly keratinized with cells shaped like scales that are layered one over the other, measuring about 60 micro-meters long and about 6 micro-meters wide.

Cortex: It is the main constituent of the hair, containing long keratin chains which gives elasticity, suppleness and resistance to the hair. 

The cells of the cortex are joined together by an intercellular cement rich in lipids and proteins.

Split ends-: When the oil from the scalp doesn't reach the ends of the hair, it tends to dry and split over time and another reason is heat worse the ends. Applying a dash of oil on the ends can avoid split ends.

Hair loss-: Hair loss occurs due to several factors such as stress, hormonal imbalance, and using the wrong products.

Prevention is possible by using protein-rich food, switching to mild shampoos, massage with hot oil, staying hydrated, and exercise regularly.

Dandruff-: The scaly particles that cling to the root of the hair is dandruff which is caused by poor diet, dry scalp, infection, excess sebum, and sensitivity to certain products. It is a harmless, non-inflammatory skin condition that affects the scalp and can lead to hair loss.

Hair colour damage-: Regular colouring sessions can damage the hair in the long run. The chemicals in the dye can also cause dryness, dandruff, breakage, and split ends. Medicated shampoos extra care, conditioning, and nourishing can treat the damaged hair.

Figure Hair Colour Damage

Dandruff is a dermatological condition that, while not significantly threatening to health, can lead to social discomfort and negative self-perception. Dandruff mechanism is thought to be the result of the activity of enzyme called lipase. The Malassezia fungus (cause dandruff) uses this enzyme to break down sebum to oleic acid (pro-inflammatory free fatty acids Shampoo is a hair care formulation, usually presented as a thick liquid, designed for the purpose of cleaning hair. The aim of this research is to develop and assess an herbal shampoo composed of diverse botanical ingredients, entirely omitting conventional synthetic components. This formulation effectively removes sebum, dirt, and dandruff while simultaneously promoting hair growth, enhancing strength, and darkening hair. Additionally, it serves as a conditioning agent, achieving these benefits without causing harm to the hair.

Classification of dandruff: -

Depending upon the symptom’s dandruff are categorize as:

1) Dry dandruff

2) Oily dandruff

1) Dry dandruff

a) It is also called pityriasis steroids.

b) Information on the minutes scale which accumulates on the scale area.

2) Oily dandruff

a) It is also called pityriasis steroids.

b) It arrives on the scale with sebum production

Symptoms of dandruff mainly include the following: -

• presence of fragments (scaling)
• itching of the scalp
• redness around the scalp

Herbal Shampoo

Herbal shampoo is a hair care product formulated using natural plant extracts and herbal ingredients that cleanse the scalp and hair while promoting overall hair health. Unlike conventional shampoos, which often contain synthetic detergents, preservatives, and artificial fragrances, herbal shampoos utilize mild, biodegradable, and skin-friendly ingredients, making them a safer and eco-conscious alternative. With growing consumer preference for natural and sustainable products, the demand for herbal hair care formulations has increased significantly. Herbal shampoos are not only used for cosmetic purposes but also for their medicinal benefits in traditional systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani. The development of herbal shampoo involves a careful selection of ingredients based on their functional properties, followed by formulation trials to achieve an effective, stable, and user-friendly product. Evaluation parameters such as pH, viscosity, foam stability, surface tension, cleansing action, and microbial load are essential to ensure product quality and safety.

Benefits of herbal shampoo

• Promote hair growth.
• Stimulates the formation of new and healthy roots.
• Biodegradable and earth friendly.
• Cost friendly-not much expensive.
• More shine.

 Ideal properties of herbal shampoo.

1. It should effectively and completely remove dust or soil, excessive sebum or other fatty substances and loose corneal cells from the hair.

2. It should produce a good amount of foam to satisfy the psychological requirements of user.

3. It should be easily removed on rinsing with water.

4. It should leave the hair non ?dry, soft, lustrous with good manageability and minimum fly   away.

5. It should impart a pleasant fragrance to the hair.

6. It should not cause any side?effects / irritation to skin or eye.

7. It should not make the hand rough and chapped.

Sign And Symptoms:

1)Gradual thinning on top of head: -

This is the most common type of hair loss, affecting people as they age.in men, hair often begins to recede at the hairline on the forehead. Women typically have a broadening of the part in their hair. An increasingly common hair loss pattern in olde women is a receding hairline.

2)Circular or patchy bald spots: -

Some people lose hair in circular or patchy bald spots on the scalp, beard or eyebrows. Your skin may become itchy or painful before the hair falls out.

3)Sudden loosening of hair: -

A physical or emotional shock can cause hair to loosen. Handfuls of hair may come out when combing or washing your hair or even after gentle tugging. This type of hair loss usually causes overall hair thinning but is temporary.

4) Full – body hair loss: -

Some conditions and medical treatments, such as chemotherapy for cancer, can result in the loss of hair all over your body. The hair usually grows back.

5) Patches of scaling that spread over the scalp: -

This is a sign of ringworm. It may be accompanied by broken hair, redness, swelling and, at times, oozing.

Function Of Herbal Shampoo:

• Lubrication

• Conditioning

• Hair growth

• Maintenance of hair colour

• Medication

Drug Profile:

1) Shikakai

• Biological source- Dried pods of Acacia concinna
• Family -Mimosaceae
• Chemical con- Arabin , Enzymes I.e oxidase and peroxides
• Uses - Foam base, cleansing agent and anti-dandruff.

2) Reetha

• Biological source-Dried fruits of Sapindusmukorossi.
• Family-Sapindaceae
• Uses -Detergent, cleansing agent and antidandruff.
• Chemical con- Saponin

3) Amla

• Biological source- Dried ripe fruits of Embelica officinalis.
• Family- Euphorbiaceae
• Uses - Darkening of hairs and hair Growth promoter.
• Chemical con – Vitamin C, Amino acid, Tannins.

4)Neem

• Biological source-Dried leaves of Azadirachtaindica.
• Family-Miliaceae
• Uses -Prevent the dryness of hairs and flaking of hairs.
• Chemical con- Azadirachtin, Polyphenolic compounds .

5) Curry leaves

• Biological source-Murraya koenigii or Bergera koenigii
• Family- Rutaceae
• Uses - Curry leaves are used for hair health due to their rich nutrient content, including vitamins and minerals, which promote hair growth and reduce hair loss.
• Chemical con-  23.73% alkaloids, 1.24% flavonoids, 8.74% saponins, 4.4% phenolics, and 5.2% tannins.

6) Hibiscus

• Biological source-
• Family- Malvaceae
• Uses - Promotes hair growth, prevents hair fall.
• Chemical con - Flavonoids, Anthocyanins, Tannins, Saponins, Glycosides, and Terpenoids.

7)Aloe vera

• Biological source- Aloe is the dried juice collected by incision, from the bases of the leaves of various species of Aloe. Aloe vera is Aloe barbadensis miller.
• Family- Asphodelaceae (Liliaceae)
• Uses -  Aloe's clear gel on skin to treat burns, the skin condition psoriasis and even acne, it is also used as laxative.
• Chemical con- Water, Polysaccharides, Anthraquinones, Vitamins, Minerals, Enzymes, and Amino acids.

8) Bhringraj

• Biological source- it is the plant species Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk.
• Family- Asteraceae.
• Uses - Promoting growth, Reducing hair fall, Preventing premature greying, and Improving scalp health.
• Chemical con -Coumestans, Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Glycosides, Polyacetylenes, Triterpenoids, Phenolic acids, Saponins, Sterols, Sesquiterpene lactones, Proteins, Amino acids, and Carbohydrates.

9) Gelatine

• Biological source-Derived from the collagen in animal skin, bones, and connective tissues.
• Family- Proteins called hydrogels.
• Uses - Gelatin can be used in hair care to strengthen and improve hair health.
• It helps to smooth the hair cuticle, boost shine and reduce breakage
• Ch

  

  emical con- Glycine, Proline, and 4-Hydroxy proline residues.

10) Peepal Leaves

• Biological source- The peepal tree, also known as the sacred fig or Bodhi tree, is scientifically classified as Ficus religiosa.
• Family- Moraceae.
• Uses - Hair follicle regenaration, hair growth.
• Chemical cont - Alkaloids, Carbohydrates, Tannins, Saponins, Flavonoids, Proteins, Phenols, and Erpenoids.

1. Yadav & Jain (2011)

Formulated a herbal shampoo using extracts of Hibiscus, Amla, and Shikakai. They observed favorable viscosity, foaming index, and cleaning power, comparable to commercial products.
???? International Journal of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 2011.

2. Joshi & Dixit (2012)

Studied the formulation of an herbal shampoo using plant extracts, highlighting consumer safety and natural efficacy, especially for anti-dandruff applications.
???? International Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy, 2012.

3. Saxena & Sahu (2013)

In their study, the authors developed a polyherbal shampoo using Amla, Reetha, and Shikakai. The formulation was evaluated for foam stability, cleansing ability, and physicochemical parameters. Results confirmed it was effective and safe for regular use.
???? International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science Invention, 2013.

4. Mishra et al. (2014)

Conducted a study on the antimicrobial activity of herbal shampoos formulated with Neem, Tulsi, and Lemon. The results showed significant action against Malassezia species (dandruff-causing fungi).
???? International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research, 2014.

5. Shah et al. (2015)

Focused on a comparative analysis between herbal and synthetic shampoos. Herbal shampoo with Reetha and Aloe vera showed better mildness and scalp comfort.
???? Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, 2015.

6. Sharma et al. (2016)

Developed and evaluated herbal shampoo powder using Amla, Reetha, Tulsi, and Neem. The pH and surface tension values were found to be within ideal limits for hair application.
???? Pharmacognosy Journal, 2016.

7. Tiwari et al. (2018)

Prepared a herbal shampoo using Neem, Amla, Henna, and Aloe vera. The formulation exhibited excellent stability, foamability, and cleaning ability over a 90-day period.
???? Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics, 2018.

8. Rajput & Vyas (2019)

Designed a herbal shampoo containing Reetha, Shikakai, Neem, and Amla. Physicochemical evaluation revealed excellent pH balance, cleaning action, and user acceptability.
???? Research Journal of Topical and Cosmetic Sciences, 2019.

9. Lodha, G. (2019).

Formulation and Evaluation of Polyherbal Shampoo to Promote Hair Growth and Provide Antidandruff Action
???? Journal: Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics

10. Rathore et al. (2020)

Formulated a natural shampoo from Guava leaf, Neem, and Tulsi extracts. The study highlighted its antioxidant and antimicrobial potential and suggested its application for scalp infections.
???? Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 2020.

11. Patel et al. (2021)

Evaluated herbal shampoo prepared using Moringa, Fenugreek, and Reetha. The formulation showed good viscosity, foam stability, and cleaning performance, supporting its suitability for commercial development.
???? Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 2021.

12. Bhat, V., Kumar, R., & Azeena. (2021).

Formulation and Evaluation of Polyherbal Shampoo Containing Extract of Hibiscus, Holy Basil and Fenugreek
???? Journal: International Research Journal of Pharmacy

13. More, A. G., Pote, P. D., Kore, P. S., & Garhwani, Y. D. (2022).

Formulation and Evaluation of Polyherbal Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
???? Journal: International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine

14. Gadge, S. S., Wankhade, S. P., Tapare, S., Kalaskar, S. M., & Holey, S. D. (2023).

Formulation and Evaluation of Polyherbal Antidandruff Shampoo
???? Journal: Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

15.Prasanna Kumar, P. S. S., Priyanka, N., Subrahmanyam, M. G., et al. (2024).

Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Shampoo
???? Journal: Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

Aim:

To formulate and evaluate a safe, effective, and eco-friendly herbal shampoo using natural plant extracts with cleansing, conditioning, and therapeutic properties.

Objectives:

• To formulate a herbal shampoo using natural plant-based ingredients known for their hair care benefits.
• To eliminate synthetic preservatives and surfactants, focusing on a safe, natural alternative.
• To evaluate the quality and effectiveness of individual herbal ingredients such as Reetha, Shikakai, Neem, Bhringraj, etc.
• To prepare and standardize herbal extracts using aqueous or hydroalcoholic methods.
• To optimize the concentration of each ingredient for ideal cleansing, foaming, and conditioning properties.
• To study the synergistic effect of herbal combinations on scalp health and hair strengthening.
• To conduct physicochemical evaluation including pH, viscosity, clarity, and homogeneity of the shampoo.
• To assess foaming ability and foam stability using standard laboratory techniques.
• To determine cleansing efficiency using wetting time and dirt dispersion studies.
• To evaluate the lathering capacity across multiple batches, ensuring consistency and batch reproducibility.
• To conduct stability testing under different conditions (temperature, storage time) to ensure shelf-life without preservatives.
• To ensure user safety by selecting ingredients that are non-irritating, hypoallergenic, and biodegradable.
• To maintain eco-friendliness, avoiding non-biodegradable surfactants like SLS and parabens.
• To document and analyze the comparative performance of three different formulation batches.
• To promote the utilization of traditional herbal knowledge in modern-day cosmetic formulation for sustainable, safe, and effective personal care products.

1. Literature Survey
   • Review scientific literature and traditional knowledge related to herbal ingredients commonly used in hair care.
   • Study formulation methods and evaluation parameters from previous research.
2. Selection of Herbal Ingredients
   • Select herbs based on their cleansing, conditioning, and therapeutic properties.
   • Examples: Reetha, Shikakai, Amla, Neem, Aloe vera, Henna, etc.
3. Procurement of Raw Materials
   • Collect or purchase authenticated herbal raw materials and standard laboratory chemicals required for the formulation and testing.
4. Preparation of Herbal Extracts
   • Dry and powder the selected herbs.
   • Perform aqueous or hydroalcoholic extraction using maceration, decoction, or infusion methods.
5. Formulation of Herbal Shampoo
   • Prepare a shampoo base using extracted herbal ingredients.
   • Optimize the formulation for consistency, foaming, and cleansing ability.
   • Homogenize and store the prepared formulation.

6. Evaluation of Herbal Shampoo

5. • Physicochemical Evaluation:
     • pH
     • Viscosity
     • Surface tension
     • Foam stability and volume
     • Solid content
     • Cleaning ability
   • Microbial and antifungal testing (if applicable)
   • Sensory and organoleptic evaluation (color, odor, texture)
6. Comparison with Marketed Formulations
   • Evaluate and compare performance parameters with commercial herbal/synthetic shampoos.
7. Stability Studies
   • Conduct short-term stability tests under different temperature and storage conditions.
8. Data Analysis
   • Compile and analyze the results using appropriate statistical tools.
9. Conclusion and Report Writing

• Draw conclusions based on the findings.
• Prepare the project report with references, results, and discussion.

Materials Required:

1. Herbal Ingredients

2. Other Materials (Excipients and Additives)

Equipment Required:

Preparation of Herbal Powders

Materials:

• Reetha (Sapindus mukorossi)
• Shikakai (Acacia concinna)
• Amla (Emblica officinalis)
• Neem (Azadirachta indica)
• Aloe vera gel (Aloe barbadensis)
• Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
• Curry leaves (Murraya koenigii)
• Bhringraj (Eclipta alba)
• Peepal leaves (Ficus religiosa)

Procedure:

1. Collection: Collect fresh herbs from a reliable source or a local supplier.
2. Cleaning: Wash the herbs thoroughly to remove dust, dirt, and other impurities.
3. Drying: Shade-dry the herbs separately for 5–7 days or use a drying oven at low temperatures (30–40°C) to remove excess moisture.
4. Grinding: After drying, grind the herbs into fine powders using a pulverizer or grinder.
5. Sieving: Sieve the powders through a mesh (40 mesh size) to obtain uniform fine powder.
6. Storage: Store the powders in airtight containers away from direct sunlight to maintain their potency.

• Pulverizer or Grinder: For grinding the dried herbs.
• Sieve (40 mesh size): To obtain uniform powder.
• Drying oven or shade: To dry the herbs.

2. Extraction Process (Aqueous Decoction Method)

 Materials:

• Herbal powders from the previous step.
• Distilled water.
• Aloe vera gel.
• Rosemary essential oil.

• Procedure:

1. Weighing: Weigh 10 g of each powdered herb (except Aloe vera and Rosemary oil).
2. Extraction:
   • Add the 50g of herbal powders to 300 mL of distilled water in a beaker.
   • Heat the mixture on a heating mantle or water bath at 80°C for 30–45 minutes. Stir occasionally using a magnetic stirrer to ensure uniform heating.
   • Allow the mixture to cool at room temperature.
3. Filtration : After cooling, filter the mixture using muslin cloth or Whatman filter paper to remove solid particles and obtain a clear herbal extract.
4. Addition of Aloe Vera Gel : Add fresh Aloe vera gel to the filtered extract and stir to homogenize.
5. Addition of Rosemary Oil : Finally, add 5-10 drops of Rosemary essential oil, mixing thoroughly.

Equipment Used:

• Beaker: For holding the mixture during extraction.
• Heating mantle or Water bath: For heating the herbal extract.
• Magnetic stirrer: For continuous stirring to ensure uniform extraction.
• Muslin cloth or Whatman filter paper: For filtration.
• Thermometer: To monitor temperature during extraction.
• Glass rod: For stirring the extract.

3. Formulation of Herbal Shampoo

Materials:

• Herbal extract (prepared above).
• Aloe vera gel.
• Rosemary oil.
• Guar gum (thickening agents).
• Citric acid (for pH adjustment).
• Distilled water.

Formulation Table :

Formulation Table of Herbal Shampoo (500 Ml)

Procedure :

1. Preparation of Thickening Solution :
   • In a separate beaker, dissolve Guar gum in a portion of distilled water.
   • Stir well using a magnetic stirrer to ensure complete dissolution and avoid clumps.
2. Mixing of Herbal Extract :
   • Slowly add the herbal extract to the thickening solution while stirring continuously.
3. Addition of Other Ingredients :
   • Add Aloe vera gel to the mixture, ensuring proper mixing using the magnetic stirrer.
   • Adjust the pH using Citric acid.
4. Final Mixing:
   • Add Rosemary oil and stir the formulation well to obtain a uniform product.
5. Packaging and Storage:
   • Transfer the prepared shampoo into sterilized bottles.
   • Store in a cool, dry place to maintain the quality of the product.

Equipment Used:

• Beakers: For mixing and holding the formulation.
• Magnetic stirrer: For continuous stirring.
• pH meter: To measure and adjust pH.
• Glass rod or stir bar: For stirring during formulation.
• Measuring cylinders: To measure exact quantities of liquids.
• Sterilized bottles: For packaging the final product.

4. Storage and Packaging

• Ensure that all packaging materials are sterilized to prevent contamination.
• Store the prepared herbal shampoo in airtight containers at room temperature or slightly cooler conditions to preserve its quality.

Physical Appearance and Color

• Method: Observe the visual appearance of all three batches, including color, texture, and clarity.
• Expected Result: Each batch should have a uniform, smooth consistency with no visible lumps or separation. The color should remain consistent across all batches (light brown, greenish, or herbal tones depending on the extracts used).

2. pH Determination

• Method: Measure the pH of each batch using a digital pH meter.
• Expected Result: The pH should fall within the range of 4.5–6.5 to ensure scalp safety and effectiveness.

3. Viscosity (Thickness)

• Method: Measure the viscosity of each batch using a Brookfield viscometer or rotational viscometer.
• Expected Result: The shampoo should have a moderate viscosity (500–1000 cP) to allow easy spreading and lathering.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

4. Foamability and Lathering Capacity

• Method: Take 5 mL of shampoo from each batch, dilute with water, and shake for 15–20 seconds. Observe the foam formation.
• Expected Result: The shampoo should produce a rich, stable lather.

Method:

• Take 5 mL of shampoo from each batch.
• Dilute with 10 mL of distilled water in each test tube.
• Shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds.
• Measure foam height and assess stability after 1 minute.

Batch 1

Batch 2

Batch 3

5. Moisturizing and Conditioning Effect

• Method: Conduct sensory evaluation after using the shampoo on hair. Observe the texture of hair post-washing.
• Expected Result: The shampoo should leave the hair feeling soft, smooth, and moisturized without being dry or frizzy.

Stability Testing

• Method: Store each batch at room temperature (25°C), 4°C (refrigerated), and 40°C (accelerated storage) for 30–60 days. Observe any changes in appearance, texture, or separation.
• Expected Result: All batches should remain stable without significant changes in their physical properties (no separation, color change, or texture alteration).

7.Solid Content Determination Test

Objective :

To determine the solid content in the herbal shampoo formulation, which is crucial for assessing the concentration of active ingredients and ensuring the shampoo's consistency and effectiveness.

Method:

• Equipment Used:
  • Analytical balance
  • Porcelain dish
  • Hot air oven

Dirt Dispersion Test

Objective :

To evaluate the cleansing efficiency of the herbal shampoo by testing its ability to disperse dirt or oil from a surface. This test ensures that the shampoo is effective at removing impurities, oils, and residues from the hair and scalp.

Method :

• Material Used:
  • Analytical balance
  • Distilled water
  • Petri dishes or small glass beakers
  • Cotton swabs or small brushes
  • Stopwatch or timer
  • Dirt/oil mixture (such as finely powdered soil or artificial oil residue)