Research Article on Formulation and Evaluation of Antifungal Herbal Powder for Internal Use

Abstract

Fungal infections—like those caused by Candida, Aspergillus, and Trichophyton—are becoming more common these days. This is mostly because of things like the overuse of antibiotics, weaker immune systems in many people, and lifestyle habits that throw off the natural balance of healthy microbes in the body. While regular antifungal medications can help, they often come with side effects and the fungi can become resistant over time. That’s why more people are turning to herbal remedies. These natural options tend to be gentler on the body and often work in several ways at once to fight infection. This review looks at a natural remedy made from eight powerful herbs known for their antifungal properties: Garlic, Oregano, Neem, Turmeric, Cinnamon, Clove, Mint, Black pepper.

Keywords

Herbal, Powder, Antifungal, Herbal Ingredients

Introduction

Fungal infections are a growing global health problem, affecting millions of people every year. They can be as minor as a skin rash or as serious as life-threatening infections, especially in people with weak immune systems. The most common troublemakers are fungi like Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Trichophyton rubrum, which can infect areas like the mouth, lungs, and skin. These infections are on the rise due to things like the overuse of antibiotics, immune-suppressing medications, surgeries, and chronic health conditions such as diabetes and cancer. While traditional antifungal drugs like azoles, echinocandins, and polyenes—have been useful, they often cause side effects (such as liver or kidney damage) and can stop working as fungi become resistant to them. Because of this, scientists and doctors are now exploring herbal medicine as a safer, more natural alternative. Many plants used in traditional systems like Ayurveda and Chinese medicine are showing promise for fighting fungal infections. They're not only less toxic, but they may also help strengthen the immune system.

Mechanism of fungal infection in a body

1. Fungi Enter the Body: -

Fungi can get into the body in different ways:

• Breathing in spores (tiny fungal seeds) – this can cause lung infections
• Swallowing fungi through food or water – this can affect the stomach or intestines
• Through wounds or cuts – fungi can enter the skin and spread inside
• Through medical devices (like IV lines or catheters) – this can lead to blood infections

2. They Stick to Body Tissues

Once fungi are inside:

• They stick (attach) to cells in the lungs, gut, skin, or other areas.
• Some fungi are sticky by nature and can hold on to surfaces easily.
• This helps them stay in place and start to grow.

3. They Start Growing (Colonizing)

After attaching:

• Fungi begin to multiply and form colonies.
• In some cases, they create biofilms—a slimy layer that protects them from the immune system and antifungal medicines.
• Biofilms make it harder to get rid of the fungus.

4. They Invade Deeper Tissues

As the fungus grows:

• It can release enzymes that break down tissues.
• This lets the fungus move deeper into the body.
• In lung infections, fungi can go from the airways into the bloodstream.
• In gut infections, fungi can damage the lining and spread beyond the intestines.

5. They Hide from the Immune System

• Fungi have ways to protect themselves from the body’s defense system:
• Some fungi change their shape or form to confuse immune cells.
• Others have a capsule (a protective outer layer) that blocks attack.
• Some even produce chemicals that slow down or weaken immune responses.

6. They Spread and Cause Damage

If not stopped:

• Fungi can spread to the bloodstream (called fungemia).
• From the blood, they can travel to organs like the brain, liver, or kidneys.
• This can cause serious infections and damage to the body’s tissues.
• In the worst cases, it can lead to organ failure or death, especially if the immune system is weak.

Herbal ingredients:

1. Garlic (Allium sativum)

• Synonyms: Garlic  bulb, Lehsun
• Indian Name: Lehsun (Hindi), Lashuna (Sanskrit)
• Active Compounds: Allicin, Ajoene
• Mechanism of Action:

• Disrupts fungal cell membranes by reacting with sulfur-containing enzymes.
• Inhibits fungal protein synthesis.
• Prevents fungal replication and spread.
• Effective against Candida albicans, Aspergillus, and other fungi.

2. Neem (Azadirachta indica)

• Synonyms: Indian lilac, Margosa tree
• Indian Name: Neem (Hindi), Nimba (Sanskrit)
• Active Compounds: Nimbidin, Azadirachtin, Quercetin
• Mechanism of Action:
  • Disrupts fungal cell wall structure.
  • Inhibits fungal spore formation and germination.
  • Boosts immune system response.
  • Reduces fungal load in systemic infections.

3. Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

• Synonyms: Indian saffron, Haldi
• Indian Name: Haldi (Hindi), Haridra (Sanskrit)
• Active Compounds: Curcumin, Demethoxycurcumin
• Mechanism of Action:

• Interferes with fungal DNA and protein synthesis.
• Disrupts cell membrane integrity.
• Prevents fungal growth and biofilm formation.
• Acts as an anti-inflammatory and tissue healer.

4. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)

• Synonyms: Clove bud, Laung
• Indian Name: Laung (Hindi), Lavanga (Sanskrit)
• Active Compound: Eugenol
• Mechanism of Action:

• Destroys fungal cell membranes.
• Inhibits fungal respiration and energy production.
• Prevents adhesion of fungi to tissues.
• Effective against Casndida and other pathogenic yeasts.

5. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)

• Synonyms: True cinnamon, Dalchini
• Indian Name: Dalchini (Hindi), Tvak (Sanskrit)
• Active Compounds: Cinnamaldehyde, Eugenol

• Mechanism of Action:

• Disrupts the fungal cell membrane.
• Inhibits fungal enzyme systems.
• Prevents spore germination and fungal spread.
• Acts against both yeasts and filamentous fungi.

6. Oregano (Origanum vulgare)

• Synonyms: Wild marjoram
• Indian Name: Sathra (rare usage)
• Active Compounds: Carvacrol, Thymol
• Mechanism of Action:

• Damages fungal cell membranes causing leakage.
• Inhibits fungal biofilm formation.
• Stops fungal growth and reproduction.
• Particularly effective against intestinal and systemic Candida.

7. Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)

• Synonyms: Peppercorn, Kali mirch
• Indian Name: Kali Mirch (Hindi), Maricha (Sanskrit)
• Active Compound: Piperine
• Mechanism of Action:

• Disrupts fungal enzymatic activity.
• Enhances the absorption of other antifungal compounds.
• Reduces oxidative stress and inflammation.
• Provides mild direct antifungal effect.

8. Mint (Mentha arvensis)

• Synonyms: Field mint, Pudina
• Indian Name: Pudina (Hindi & Sanskrit)
• Active Compounds: Menthol, Menthone
• Mechanism of Action:

• Disrupts fungal cell membranes.
• Acts as a cooling and soothing agent.
• Reduces irritation in mucous membranes.
• Has a mild antifungal and antimicrobial effect.

Method of Preparation:

Step 1: Ingredient Verification & Sourcing

• Make sure all herbs are food-grade and clean.
• Prefer dried and whole/raw herbs over pre-powdered versions for freshness.

Step 2: Cleaning & Drying

• If using fresh herbs (like neem or mint), wash gently and dry completely in shade to avoid loss of active compounds.
• Ensure all ingredients are fully dried before grinding to prevent spoilage.

Step 3: Grinding

• Grind each ingredient separately to desired texture:
• And makea a fine powder
• Suggested grinding:

• used of garlic powder
• Cinnamon, cloves, black pepper: Use a spice grinder.
• Leaves (neem, mint, oregano): Use a high-speed blender or grinder.

Step 4: Sieving

• Pass ground materials through a sieve (60–80 mesh) to get uniform texture.

Step 5: Weighing

• Use a digital scale to weigh each ingredient according to the chart

Step 6: Mixing

• Combine all ingredients in a large stainless steel or glass bowl.
• Mix thoroughly for 5–10 minutes to ensure even distribution.

Step 7: Packaging

• Store in an airtight container (amber glass or food-grade plastic).
• Label with ingredients, weight, date, and usage instructions.

Step 8: Storage

• Keep in a cool, dry place, away from light and moisture.
• Shelf life: ~6–12 months if properly stored.

Composition for 100 g Herbal Powder

Garlic	Allicin	20 Gm
Oregano	Carvacrol	20 Gm
Neem	Nimbidin	20 Gm
Turmeric Powder	Curcumin	20 Gm
Cinnamon	Cinnamaldehyde	10 Gm
Clove	Eugenol	5 Gm
Mint	Menthol	5 Gm
Black Paper	Piperine	1 Gm

Evaluation Test

• PH Test for Antifungal Herbal Powder (For Internal Use)

Testing the pH of your herbal powder is a simple but important step to make sure it’s safe to take, especially if you have a sensitive stomach. The pH tells you how acidic or alkaline the powder is, which can affect how it feels in your digestive system

PH Value	Interpretation
4.5–5.4	Slightly acidic – use caution, may irritate sensitive stomachs
5.5–7.5	Acceptable for internal use
>7.5	Mildly alkaline – generally safe, but test further for compatibility

In short, aim for a pH between 5.5 and 7.5 for the best balance and comfort when taking the powder internally.

• Angle of Repose Test for Antifungal Herbal Powder

The Angle of Repose test helps check how well a powder flows, which is important for things like packaging, making capsules, or handling the powder during production. If the powder doesn’t flow well, it can clog machines or cause uneven dosing. To do this test, you simply pour the powder into a pile and measure the angle formed at the sides of the cone-shaped heap. A lower angle means the powder flows easily, while a higher angle means it’s more likely to clump or stick.

Angle of Repose (θ)	Flowability
< 25°	Excellent flow
25°–30°	Good flow
30°–40°	Passable, may need flow aids
> 40°	Poor flow

• Moisture Content Test for Antifungal Herbal Powder

Checking how much moisture is in your herbal powder is important to keep it fresh, effective, and safe to use. If there’s too much moisture, the powder can spoil, grow mold, or lose its strength over time. This test tells you what percentage of the powder is actually water. Keeping moisture levels low helps make sure the powder lasts longer and stays high-quality.

CONCLUSION

This review explains how herbal remedies could be a safer and more natural way to treat serious fungal infections, especially since regular antifungal medicines don’t always work well anymore and can cause side effects. The herbal powder in this review is made from eight well-known plants: Garlic, Oregano, Neem, Turmeric, Cinnamon, Clove, Mint, and Black Pepper. These herbs are known to:

• Kill fungi
• Stop fungi from spreading
• Reduce inflammation
• Help the immune system

The recipe was improved three times to make it more effective and safer. Because it uses natural ingredients that work in different ways and are easier on the body, this herbal mix might be a good choice for people with weaker immune systems, such as those with chronic health issues or taking long-term medications.

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