Overview on:  Herbs Used in Hair Oil

Dr. Rahane  Rahulkumar D., Dukare Akanksha S*, Abuj  Akanksha B,

Auti Avinash S.

Matoshri  Miratai Aher College of Pharmacy,  Vithal  Nagar, Kokate vasti, Karjule Harya, (Takli Dhokeshwar) ,Ahmednagar  Kalyan  Highway, Tal. Parner, Dist. Ahmednagar.  Pin-414304.

*Correspondence: akankshasdukare@gmail.com;

INTRODUCTION

Mammals are known for having hair, which serves a variety of purposes including providing protection from the elements (heat, cold, etc.). In addition to the sebaceous and sweat glands, hair is one of the body's essential components and is thought to be an integument's accessory structure and protective appendage. Hair's bulb, root, and shaft are its constituent parts. Known hair-related issues include split ends, grey hair, dandruff, hair loss, and lice. Although a hair strand appears straightforward, it is actually one of the body's most intricate structures. There are two structures in hair: 

HAIR FOLLICLE

 

                

 

Figure 1. Hair Follicle

The hair  follicle  is  where  hair  begins to grow and where it is held in  place.  It  is  a stocking-like structure that starts in  the  epidermis.  It extends  to the dermis. The follicle is lined by an inner and outer sheath that protects and molds the growing hair and ends just before the opening of sebaceous gland. 

Hair shaft

The section of hair composed of three keratin layers is called the hair shaft. These layers are as follows:

 i. The inner layer, also known as the medulla.  The presence or absence of the medulla varies with the type of hair.

ii. The cortex, or middle layer, comprises the majority of the hair shaft and is known by this name.

 iii. The outer layer: Also known as the cuticle, it is composed of closely spaced scales that overlap to resemble roof shingles.

Hair Types

         The main factor determining hair type is curl pattern. The hair follicle controls the amount of curl in the hair. Hair type is genetically determined.  Andre Walker, the stylist for Oprah Winfrey for many years, is recognized for having created the system that categorizes hair into one of four curl patterns. 

Type 1: Linear

Type 2: Curved Curly

Type 3: curly

Type 4: coily

Cycle of hair growth

Figure 2.  Hair Growth Cycle

There are three stages in the hair growth cycle: -[4] 

a) Anagen phase: This is the stage during which hair grows.  The duration of the anagen phase is two to six years. The newly grown hair that has stopped growing is forced out of the follicle by a new hair.

 b) Catagen phase: 3% of all hairs are in this transitional stage at any given time and it is a stage of transition. This stage lasts two to three weeks.

c) Telogen phase: This two to three month resting phase is known as the telogen phase.  The hair follicle is at rest and the club hair is fully developed during the telogen phase.

Different types of herbal hair oil available in market

        I.            Amla hair oil

     II.            Coconut hair oil

  III.            Bhringraj hair oil

  IV.            Brahmi hair oil

    V.            Jasmine hair oil

  VI.            Cantharidine hair oil

VII.            Onion hair oil

Benefits

The world in which we live is dirty and unfriendly to hair. That's when using herbal hair oil becomes useful. Blends of bhringraj , jatamansi, amla, hibiscus, rosemary, almond, and other herbs are used to make herbal oil.

The following are their advantages: 

1.It gives hair its natural goodness.

2.Vitamins and micronutrients found in herbal oil serve as food for hair.

3. Hair oil makes hair frizz-free and helps prevent hair loss.

4.Herbal oil provides the extra attention that hair ends require while they are being nourished.

5.  Premature gray hair can be resolved by using hair oil on a regular basis.

6. Prevents dandruff, enhances hair growth, and keeps the scalp hydrated.

7.Provides shine and glow.

7. Release of tension. 

Factors affecting hair growth

1. Hormonal

The commencement and length of anagen, as well as the rate and thickness of hair development throughout this phase, are just a few of the ways that hormones can affect hair growth. In the duration of telogen and in the club hair release. Different animals have different reactions in terms of hair growth when endocrine glands are removed or hormones are administered systemically.

Seasonal moulting involves follicular modifications that are thought to be controlled by the neuroendocrine system, especially in wild or primitive species. These changes have been demonstrated by multiple researchers to be photoperiodic in origin and connected to the reproductive cycle. Additionally, photoperiodism contributes to the seasonal hair loss seen by domestic animals, such as cattle breeds that are not Equational.

2. Nutrition

It has been discovered that a low nutrition plane postpones the sub-adult and adult vole moulds as well as the seasonal shedding in cattle. The consequences of a plane of nutrition are numerous and diverse in non-shedding sheep, such as Merino. Insufficient nourishment can hinder the development and start of follicles in the fetus, hinder the maturity of postnatal follicles in lambs and lower the weight, length, and thickness of fleece in adult animals. However, catagen and telogen cannot be nutritionally induced in adult sheep follicles unless the nutrition is exceedingly low. Depending on whether there is an excess or a deficit the protein, amino acid, carbohydrate, fat, vitamin, and mineral contents of the diet can also have a variety of effects on the growth of hair and wool.

3. Temperature

Seasonal molting is modified by temperature. Low temperatures increase the density of winter pelage in wild species and the depth of the winter coat in cattle, delay the spring moult in some wild species and may even encourage the growth of wool in shorn sheep. They also appear to be necessary for the mountain hare to develop a white winter coat.

4. Age

The effect of increase in age on the pelage of various wild species has been reviewed by Ling (1970). The establishment of the adult pelage in some species requires several moults and sometimes one of these moults may be omitted by animals born late in the breeding season. With increasing age the patterns of the adult moults change.

Likewise in the mouse the successive hair waves change in pattern and becomes less frequent with age. In non shedding sheep, fleece weights are heaviest at ca. 3 Vs years of age and subsequently decline together with fiber lengthy, while fiber thickness increases with age. Also deterioration of staple crimp occurs in an increasing proportion of older sheep, due to abnormal cell proliferation and cyst formation in the proximal outer root sheath of the follicle.

5. Exogenous chemical

Among the most noticeable effects on hair growth produced by a variety of exogenous chemicals are alopecia and change in pigmentation . Attempts have been made to utilize chemically induced hair loss for the biological harvesting of wool and for epilating Angora rabbits.

Hair Oil

Hair oils are the hair care preparations used for the prevention and treatment of baldness or other ailments, aggression of hair. They also promote the luxurious growth of hairs. Hair oil containing herbal drugs are used as hair tonic. Hair care products are categorized into two main category, hair tonics and hair grooming aids. These are basically the extracts of medicinal plants in an oil base.

Herbal hair oil

A person's entire appearance is influenced by their hair which is an important component of the body. Hair care products can be defined as those formulas that are used to cleanse, alter the color or texture of hair, revitalize stressed hair, nourish the hair and give the hair a healthy appearance. Hair tonics and hair grooming tools are the two types of hair care items. Hair tonics are hair oils that contain herbal medications. Herbal extracts in an oil base are used to create these. Hair oils are hair care products used to address conditions like baldness, hair aggression, hair discoloration, hair loss, and dryness, among other hair-related issues.Because oil doesn't attach to things adding scents makes it smell better and makes it more widely used. When applied correctly hair oil gives hair shine, softness, flowness  and most importantly a cooling impact on the brain. Herbal hair oils are the most well-known hair care product they help with dry hair and scalp dryness and nourish the scalp.

Global status of herbal hair oil

The World Health Organization (WHO) projects that the herbal market will expand to $5 trillion worldwide by 2050. The Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) hopes to grow the herbal market to a $160 billion annual global market, according to News National. India is the world's largest producer of medicinal plants with more than 40% global diversity, second only to China. Based on the 'Herbal Industry Biz Potential' study, the current value of the Indian herbal market is approximately Rs 7,000 crore ($1.7 billion), and the country exports herbal medicines and raw materials valued at over Rs 3,600 crore ($902 million).

Different Herbs are as follows

1.Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil is derived from milk of the coconut palm fruit.Coconut oil is used as a meal oil and is used in industrial application for cosmetics and detergent production.

 

Taxonomical classification :

Botanical name –Cocos nucifera

Kingdom-Plantae

Order-Arecales

Family-Arecaceae

Genus –Cocus

Species-C.nucifera                                                                     Figure 3.  Coconut Fruit

Role

Masks hair, Moisturizes hair, Seal hair, Makes hair look shiner.

 

 

2.Onion

The onion sometimes referred to as the common onion or bulb. Onion is one of the most extensively grown vegetables in the genus Allium. For a minium of 7000 years, the onion plant has been cultivated and selectively bred. Contemporary cultivators reach heights of 15-45 cm.The foliage has a yellow to bluish-green hue.They have one flattened side and are hollow,cylindrical shapes.Since ancient times,onions have been prized as a food and medicinal plant .

 

Taxonomical Classification

Botanical Name –Allium Cepa

Kingdom –Plantae

Order-Asparagales

Genus-Allium

Species-A.Cepa                                                                                     Figure 4.  Onion

Role

Treats dandruff, Inhibits hair thinning, Fights scalp infection, Slows down premature greying

Nourishes dry or brittle hair.

3.Hibiscus Flower

Approximately 15%-30% of the plant is made up oplant acids, including citric, malic, tartaric acids and allo-hydroxycitric acid lactone i.e. hibiscus acid which is specific to this plant. Other chemical constituents are many including alkaloids, ascorbicacid, anthocyanin, Beta-carotene, Beta-sitosterol, citric acid, polysaccharidearabins and arabinogalactans, quercetin, gossypetin and small amounts ogalactose, arabinose, glucose, xylose, mannose and rhamnose

Taxonomical Classification:

Kingdom-Tracheobionta

Division:Magnoliopsida

Subclass-Dilleniidae

Order-Malvaceae

Family-Malvaceae

Genus-Hibiscus

Species-Hibiscus rosa –sinesis

  Role                                                                                   Figure 5.  Hibiscus Flower

Stops hair loss, Makes your hair look healthy and lustrous, Prevents premature graying

Thickens hair and add volume, Used to treat dandruff, Conditions against frizz, dryness, and breakage

Prevents split ends

 

4.Amla

It is highly nutritious and is an important dietary source of vitamin C, minerals, and amino acids. The edible fruit tissue contains protein concentration 3-fold and ascorbic acid concentration 160-fold compared to that of the apple. The fruit also contains considerably higher concentration of most minerals and amino acids than apples. The pulpy portion of fruit, dried and freed from the nuts contains: gallic acid 1.32%, tannin sugar 36.10%; gum 13.75%; albumin 13.08%; crude cellulose 17.08%; mineral matter 4.12%; and moisture 3.83%. Tannins are the mixture of gallic acid, ellagic acid and phyllembin. The alkaloidal constituents such as phyllantidine and phyllantine have also been reported in the fruits. An immature fruit contains indolacetic acid and four other auxins—a1, a3, a4, and a5 and two growth inhibitors R1 and R2

Kingdom:- Plantae

Division :-Tracheophytes

Phylum :-Angiosperms

Class:- Eudicots

Subclass:- Rosids

Order:- Malpighiales

Family:- Phyllanthaceae

Genus :-Phyllanthus                                                          Figure 6. Amla

Species:- P.emblica

Role

             Amla helps in maintaining proper health of hair, makes them thick and soft, prevent hair from  premature aging and graying, strengthening hair follicles and acts as a conditioner, helps in Dandruff and dry itchy scalp can be avoided by applying it.

5. Bhringraj

Eclipta alba is an annual multibranched herbaceous plant. The height of plants is up to 30-50cm. It is found in tropical and subtropical region of the world such as South America, Asia and Africa at an altitude upto 2000 m. In the region of India it is mainly found in state of Bihar, Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Manipur.

 Botanical name:-  Eclipta prostrata

 Kingdom :-Plantae

 Orde:r- Asterales

 Family :-Asteraceae

 Genus: -Eclipta

 Species:- E. Prostrata

Role                                                                                               Figure 7. Bhringraj

Prevents hair fall ,Promotes hair growth, Makes hair lustrous, Repairs hair damage, Treats balndness.

 

 

6. Tulsi

Tulsi is one of the most well recognized herb from the family Lamiaceae that is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent and has been used inside Ayurvedic medication over 3000 years. Holy Basil is an erect, many branched sub shrub 30- 60 cm tall having hairly stem. Leaves are of green or purple colour. The  plant of tulsi has many medicinal properties. Leaves of tulsi are a nerve tonic a  nerve tonic and also sharpen memory.

Botanical name :-Ocimum tenuiflorum

Kingdom :-Plantae

Order:- Lamiales

Famlily:- Lamiaceae

Genus:- Ocimum

Species:- O. tenuiflorum                                                              Figure 8. Tulsi

Role

Coagent remedy for hair loss , Hair loss treatment, Strengthening the hair roots, Prevent bacterial and fungal infection.

7. Shatavari

Shatavari has uniformly sized, bright green photosynthetic shoots that resemble tiny pins. Shatavari is regarded as a tonic for both female reproduction and general health. The plant produces a variety of secondary metabolites, such as essential oils, furan derivatives, flavonoids, alkaloids, and steroids.

Botanical name :-Asparagus racemosus

Kingdom :-Plantae

Order :-Asparagales

Family :-Asparagales

Genus :-Asparagus

Species:- A.racemou

Role                                                                                                   Figure 9. Shatavari

Smoothe the scalp, Promote hair growth, Strengthens the roots of hair, Maintain colour and luste.

8. Shikakai

The woody climber shikakai can grow up to five meters tall. It is a bipinnate leaf.

Because of its naturally gentle pH  shikakai gently cleans hair without removing any of its natural oil. These trees grow best in arid, hot climates like those found in South India. A hair washing agent made from shikakai leaf and bark extract is used. Shikakai has long been used in shampoo formulations to promote hair growth.

 

Botanical name:- Senegalia rugata

Kingdom:- Plantae

Order :-Fabales

Family:- Fabaceae

Genus :-Senegalia

Species :-S.rugata

 

Role                                                                          Figure 10.   Shikakai                                                                                    

Makes hair soft and shiny, Heals scalp and prevents the agony of the dry scalp, Boosts hair growth.

Delaying greying of hair, Works as natural hair cleaner.

9. Aloe vera

Aloe vera is a plant with very short stems that can reach heights of 60 to 100 centimeters. Thick, meaty, grey to green leaves. One kind of aloe that is well-known for its therapeutic uses is aloevera. Aloe species can be found practically everywhere in the world with a large distribution in the continents of eastern Europe. vera.

Botanical name:- Aloe vera

Kingdom :-Plantae

Orde:-r Asparagales

 Genus:- Aloe

Species:- A.vera

                                                                                                Figure 11. Aloe Vera

Role

Strengthen and repair hair strands, Deep cleans oily hair, Calms an itchy sclap.

10. Curry leaves

Taxonomic status

 Kingdom:- plantae

Sub-kingdom :-Tracheobionta

Superdivision :-Spermatophyte

Division :-Magnoliophyta

Class :-Magnoliospida

Subclass :-Rosidae

Order :-Sapidales

Family:- Rutaceae

Genus:- Murraya J. Koenig ex L                                                 Figure 12. Curry Leaves

Species:- Murrayakoenigii Spreng

 

It is very rich source of organic compounds with different chemical composition such as alkaloids, flavonoids carbohydrates, and sterol is present in the plant extract prepared in solvents such as petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, chloroform, ethanol and water. The fresh leaves of Murrayakoenigii contain 61.77-66.2% of moisture, 2.1-12.5%of protein, 14.6-18.97% of total sugar, 9.7-13.06% of total ash, 1.35-1.82% of acid insoluble ash, 1.35-1.82% of alcohol soluble extractive and water extractive

value ranges between 27.33-33.45%.

 Role

 Curry leaves used as hair mask gives you bouncy and shiny hair.The curry leaves contain antioxidant properties and iron that help strengthens the hair roots and shafts while curbing hair loss.

11. Brahmi

The plant brahmi is non-aromatic. Brahmi plants have succulent, oblong leaves that are 4-6 mm thick.Oblanceolate leaves are arranged at the stem in an opposite orientation. The plant produces tiny, actinomorphic, white blooms with four to five petals. It can be found in East Asia, the United States, and warm wetlands in Australia, India, and other places

Botanical name:- Bacopa monnieri

Kingdom:- Plantae

Family:- Plantaginaceae

Order :-Lamiales

Genus :-Bacopa

Species:- B.monnieri

Role                                                                                                  Figure 13. Bramhi

Elimination of dandruff, Cleanses scalp, Gives soothing effect, Reduction of hair loss, Prevention of split ends.

12. Liquorice

Liquorice is a one-meter-tall herbaceous preninal with pinnate leaves that are 7–15 cm long and have 9–17 leaflets. The flowers are 8–12 mm long and range in color from purple to a pale white blue. Although it originated in the Mediterranean, this species is now found in China, Russia, and India. The food and pharmaceutical industries, as well as the production of functional foods and dietary supplements, use this plant's extracts.

Botanical name :-Glycyrrhiza glabra

Kingdom:-Plantae

Order:-Fabales

Famil:-Fabaceae

Genus:-Ghycyrrhiza

Species:-G. glabra

                                                                                            Figure 14. Liquorice

Roles

Moisturizes the scalp, Helps with hair growth, Prevents premature baldness, Effective hair treatment.

13. Henna

 Henna grows to a height of 1.8 to 7.6 meters, making it a large shrub or small tree. It has branchlets with spine tips and many branches. It has been used medicinally and for cosmetic purposes for more than 9,000 years. Henna leaves are a source of reddish-brown dye that is used to dye clothes and create temporary body art.

 

Botanical nameL:- Lawsonia inermis

Kingdom :-Plantae

Order:- Myrtales

Family :-Lythraceae

Genus :-Lawsonia

Species :-L.inermis

 Roles                                                                                         Figure 15.  Henna

Antifungal and antimicrobial properties, Helps in maintaining the scalp health,Repair hair damage, Improving hair elasticity, Reduces premature greying of hair.

14. Jatamansi

 The blooming plant known as katamansi thrives in the eastern Himalayas, specifically in the regions of Kumaon, Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan. The shrub is 10–50 cm tall and produces pink flowers that resemble bells. Jatamansi has good laxative, tonic, antispasmodic, and stimulating properties. Different medical systems use the rhizomes of the jatamansi plant as a traditional medicinal ingredient.

Botanical name:- Nardostachys jatamansi

 Kingdom:- Plantae

 Order:- Dipsacales

Family:- Caprifoliaceae

Genus:- Nardostachys

Species:- N.jatamans                                                                  Figure 16.  Jatamansi

EVOLUTION

The formulated herbal oil was subjected to physical and biological evalution by performing following tests:

a. Sensitivity Test

The preared herbal hair oil was applied on 1cm skin of hand arm exposed to sunlight for 4-5min.

 

 

b. Acid value

Preparation of 0.1 M solution (weighed o.56 gm KOH pellets and dissolved in 100 ml of distilled water and stirred continuously). The prepared 0.1 molar KOH solution was filled in burette.

c. Saponification value

 Accurately weighed 1ml of oil into 250 ml of conical flask and 10 ml of ethanol: ether

mixture (2:1) was added . To this flask 25 ml of 0.5 N alcoholic KOH was added. Flask is kept for 30 min and then the flask was cooled. The cooled solution was titrated against 0.5N HCl using Phenophthalein indicator. Similarly the blank titration was performed without taking oil(sample). Amount of KOH in mg used was calculated.

d. pH

 The pH of herbal hair oil was determined by using Digital pH meter.

e. Viscosity

 The viscosity was determined using ostwald’s viscometer.

CONCLUSION

Herbal Oil is one of the most well recognized hair treatments .The use of different herbal materials which is having different benefits  will give the great effect for hair. The herbal extracts & Constituents chosen For the Formulation of hair oil was reported to have hair growth, relaxation, anti-dandruff, hair thickening, anti-hairfall control properties, which when used together relicited as synergistic effect in promoting healthy & shiny hair growth. In conclusion, oil useful to prevent hair from damage & loss caused by pollution & dull hair. And provide alternative sources From hazardous chemicals.

REFERENCE

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