International Journal of Research in Pharmacy  

and Allied Science (IJRPAS)

Published by Ideal Publication

Available at https://ijrpas.com/ 

Natural solution for Alopacia: A review of Herbal Stimulants for Hair Growth and Hair Fall

Satish Bhagwan Bramhne*, Harshal Arun Patil, Shruti Vinayak Suryawanshi

Khandesh Education Society’s Late Shri P. C Bhandarkar College of D. Pharmacy & Late Prof, R. K. Kele College of B. Pharmacy Amalner Dist. Jalgaon

*Correspondence: satishbramhane123@gmail.com;

DOI: https://doi.org/10.71431/IJRPAS.2026.5102  

INTRODUCTION

Hair care products are special mixtures made to clean the hair, change its texture, give it nutrients, and help keep the hair looking healthy and good.[1]

Hair oils are the hair care products used to prevent and treat baldness or other hair problems, and they help make hair stronger and healthier.[2]

The rising number of men and women facing hair loss is becoming a source of significant distress. Hence, developing new treatments for baldness is crucial.Hair loss is recognized as a skin condition, and the increasing prevalence is alarming. The quest for natural products that encourage hair growth continues.[3]

This herbal hair oil helps keep the scalp moisturized and can even fix dry scalp and dry hair. It gives the scalp all the important nutrients it needs to work properly and encourages healthy hair growth naturally.[4]

Alopecia, or hair loss, is a common concern among patients, often leading to severe mental and physical distress. One of the main contributors to alopecia is believed to be a combination of various factors, including androgens. It has been recommended to apply oil to the hair on a daily basis. Incorporating suitable herbs along with other components is common practice.[3]

This tradition has continued to this day. Included in the hair oil preparations are: Solutions for various hair loss issues, including dandruff and split ends Primarily used for styling purposes Both men and women can enjoy luxurious hair growth by cooling their scalp.[5]

Alpha keratin is a vital protein that serves as the main building block of hair, playing a significant role in different hair growth patterns and care. However, cosmetic products can lead to skin problems, including dryness, flaking, exposure to light pollution, ultraviolet radiation, hair loss, and pigmentation changes. Fortunately, there is a wide range of products on the market designed to combat these concerns, such as hair oils, shampoos, conditioner formulas, serums, gels, masks, and hair colors.[6] 

Cleaning the Scalp with Different Oils A variety of oils, such as coconut, almond, castor, and onion oils, can be utilized to cleanse the scalp effectively.[5]

Many types of herbs have been used for hair care. Some of these herbs include amla, henna, neem, methi, lemon, tulsi, brahmi, shikakai, reetha, liquorice root, musk root,

mahabhringraj, jantamasi, chitraka, marigold, hibiscus, nutmeg, parsley, rosemary, and thyme.[2]

Herbal remedies are often combined for enhanced benefits. Among these oils, coconut oil is particularly notable for its value. Its absorbent properties allow it to penetrate the hair, making it more beneficial and cost-effective than the others. Thus, incorporating coconut oil is recommended. For achieving optimal hair health, using herbal treatments alongside these oils is advised for promoting hair growth.

Exploring Herbal Products for Hair Growth

The treatment for hair loss linked to "Indralupta" may be improved by incorporating Cyperus rotundus. Hence, this study aimed to create a formula that includes ethanolic extracts of these herbs in herbal hair oils. [3]

The efficacy of the formulated oils for hair growth was evaluated at different amounts and concentrations.

The growing fascination with herbal cosmetics among the public is driven by their remarkable effectiveness, minimal or nonexistent side effects, and the use of easily accessible ingredients.[1]

Additionally, the use of herbal cosmetics enhances personal hygiene and contributes positively to the healthcare system. Incorporating bioactive ingredients in the formulation significantly impacts bodily features and provides the necessary nutrients for maintaining healthy and attractive hair. Furthermore, it has minimal or comparatively fewer side effects due to its herbal composition.

Hair oils are made with both synthetic and natural ingredients. Artificial hair oils are products made using chemicals or synthetic materials. They are used to give shine and deep conditioning, and they also help reduce frizz.[7]

3. Materials Required Herbs:

Amla

·         Scientific Name: Emblica.

·         officinalis Gaertn. or Phyllanthus emblica Linn.

·         Common Name: Amla or Indian gooseberry.

·         Family: Euphorbiaceae

·         Chemical Constituents: Vitamins, Polyphenols and Tannins,

·         Uses: Antioxidant, Immune Support, Hair strengthe, Heart Health[8]

Phyllanthus emblica, also known as amla, is an important medicinal plant used in the Indian traditional system of medicine. The amla tree grows to a height of about 1 to 8 meters. Its leaves are simple and closely arranged along the small branches. The flowers are greenish-yellow in color. The fruit is almost round in shape and has a hard surface.

Amla fruit contains about 80% water, which makes it very good for keeping the skin healthy and moisturized.

Bhringraj

·         Scientific Name: Eclipta prostrata (or Eclipta alba)

·         Common Names: False daisy, Kesharaj

·         Plant Family: Asteraceae

·         Useful Parts: The entire plant is used medicinally, including the leaves, stems, roots, and fruits.

·         Chemical constituents :  Coumestans:Wedelolactone,demethylwedelolactone

·          Flavonoids: Luteolin-7-O-glucoside

·         Alkaloids: Ecliptine

·         Triterpenes : β-amyrin

·         Uses : Hair Health: promote hair growth, strengthen hair, and prevent hair loss and premature greying. It is a key ingredient in many hair oils. [8]

The roots of this plant are long, cylindrical, and gray. It reaches a height of approximately 0.8 meters and has a spherical, sturdy, purplish stem with fine white hairs. On the stem, the leaves grow in opposing pairs. They have rough edges, a long, narrow form, and hair on both sides. The leaves are 5 to 35 mm in width and 2 to 12.5 cm in length.

The tiny, solitary flowers are roughly 6 to 8 mm in diameter. The hue of them is white. The fruits have narrow wing-like margins and are tiny, flat, and rough.

Neem

·         Scientific Name: Azadirachta indica

·         Family: Meliaceae

·         Chemical constituents: isoprenoids, azadirachtin, nimbin, nimbidin, salannin.

·         Uses: antifungal, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antiviral, contraceptive and sedative.[8]

Neem trees grow quickly, reaching heights of 15–20 meters (49–66 feet) and, in exceptional cases, 35–40 meters (115–131 feet). Being an evergreen, it loses a lot of its leaves in the dry winter. The branches spread widely. The roundish, relatively dense crown can have a diameter of 20–25 meters (66–82 feet). The pinnate leaves, on the other hand, are 20–40 cm (8–16 in) long and have 20–30 medium–dark green leaflets that are 3–8 cm (1+1/4–3+1/4 in) long.[7] Frequently, the terminal leaflet is absent. The petioles are short.[8]

Heena

·         Henna is derived from the plant Lawsonia inermis.

·         Family: Lythraceae (the loosestrife family).

·         chemical constituents :Lawsone, Flavonoids, Tannins, Phenolic compounds, Terpenoids

·         Uses: Hair health: Promotes hair growth and helps manage dandruff, Headache relief, Antimicrobial, Anti-inflammatory

Henna is a altitudinous shrub or a small tree that grows about 1.8 to 7.6  measures high. It has a rough  face and  numerous branches, with slightly  leaning small branches. The leaves grow in  contrary  dyads on the stem. They're rough,  nearly without a splint stalk, round to long in shape, and refocused at the tip. The leaves are  generally 1.5 to 5 cm long and 0.5 to 2 cm wide.

Henna flowers have four small sepals and a short tube at the base. The flowers have spreading  corridor and elliptical petals. The stamens are white or red in color and grow in  dyads at the edge of the flower tube.

fenugreek seeds

·         Biological Name: Trigonella , foenum-graecum

·         Family: Fabaceae

·         Chemical constituents: Steroidal Sapogenins, Alkaloids, Flavonoids

·         Uses: Antidiabetic, Cardiovascular health, Digestive aid[9]

fenugreek seeds is an periodic factory in the family Fabaceae, with leaves  conforming of three small obovate to oblong  circulars. It's cultivated worldwide as a semiarid crop. Its leaves and seeds are common  constituents in dishes from the Indian key, and have been used as a culinary  component since ancient times. Its use as a food  component in small amounts is safe.

Curry leaves

·         Biological Name: Murraya koenigii

·         Family: Rutaceae Genus: Murraya

·         Chemical constituents:a wide range of carbazole alkaloids (like mahanimbine and girinimbin) and various terpenoids (such as p-caryophyllene, pgurjunene, and p-elemene),

·         Uses: flavoring savory dishes, creating hair oils, improving digestion, and supporting weight and blood sugar management[9, 5]

Curry leaves It's a small tree, growing 4 – 6 metres( 13 – 20 ft) altitudinous, with a  box up to 40 cm( 16 in) in periphery. The  sweet leaves are pinnate, with 11 – 21  circulars, each  pamphlet 2 – 4 cm( 3⁄4 – 11⁄2 in) long and 1 – 2 cm( 1⁄2 – 3⁄4 in) broad. The factory produces small white flowers which can  tone- pollinate to produce small  candescent-black drupes containing a single, large  feasible seed. The berry pulp is comestible, with a sweet flavor.

Hibiscus flowers

·         Biological name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

·         Genus: Hibiscus

·         Family: Malvaceae, also known as the mallow family Key compounds found in hibiscus flowers

·         Anthocyanins, Organic Acids, Flavonoids, Polysaccharides

·         Uses : Hair and skin care, Cardiovascular health

Hibiscus is a  rubric of  unfolding  shops in the mallow family, Malvaceae. The  rubric is  relatively large, comprising several hundred species that are native to warm temperate, tropical and tropical regions throughout the world. Member species are  famed for their large,  grabby flowers and those species are generally known simply as" hibiscus", or  lower extensively known as rose mallow. The  rubric includes both periodic and  imperishable herbaceous  shops, as well as woody shrubs and small trees.

Coconut oil

·         biological source: The mature kernel of the coconut palm, Cocos nucifera L.

·         Constituents: mostly saturated fats, particularly lauric acid, along with other medium-chain fatty acids (MCTs) like caprylic and capric acid, some monounsaturated fats (like oleic acid), and polyunsaturated fats (like linoleic acid).

·         Coconut oil is used as a base in a herbal hair oil formulation.

Coconut  oil painting is an comestible  oil painting  deduced from the meat of the coconut  win fruit. Coconut  oil painting is a white solid fat below around 25 °C( 77 °F), and a clear thin liquid  oil painting at advanced temperatures. Unrefined  kinds have a distinct coconut aroma. Coconut  oil painting is used as a food  oil painting, and in artificial  operations for cosmetics and  soap  product. The  oil painting is rich in medium- chain adipose acids.

Simple and Effective Method for Preparing Herbal Hair Oil

Using coconut oil and the herbs mentioned below, you can create a nourishing herbal hair oil.

Ingredients:

  1.  Coconut oil: Base oil that nourishes the scalp

  2.  Hibiscus flowers: 5–6 (fresh or dried) Promotes hair regrowth and helps prevent damage

  3. Henna leaves: 2-3 (fresh or dried) Conditions hair and adds shine

  4. Fenugreek seeds: 1 tbsp Prevents dandruff and strengthens hair roots

  5. Amla (Indian gooseberry): 2-3pices (dried or fresh) Rich in Vitamin C, effective in preventing premature greyin Curry leaves: 10–15

Strengthens hair and helps prevent greying

  6. Neem leaves: 10–15

Has antibacterial properties and treats dandruff

Preparation Method:

The direct boiling method was chosen to make the herbal hair oil using the mentioned herbs.[2]

1.Gather Fresh Ingredients: If you choose to use fresh herbs, make sure they are thoroughly dried. Allow the oil to steep in a shaded area for a day or two to avoid spoilage from moisture. Using dried forms, such as dried amla, can help alleviate this issue.[4]

2.Lightly Toast the Fenugreek Seeds:To intensify the color of fenugreek seeds, dry them over low heat for 2–3 minutes until they darken slightly. This process enhances the medicinal properties that will be infused into the oil.

3.Heat the Coconut Oil:Pour coconut oil into a heavy bottomed pan or kadai and set it aside.Gently warm it over a low flame.[3]

Important: Be careful not to overheat or allow the oil to smoke.

4.Incorporate the Herbs:Once the oil is warm but not boiling, add the herbs.Include hibiscus, henna, amla, curry leaves, and roasted fenugreek.[6]

Stir continuously over low heat for 10–15 minutes.The oil will gradually change color and emit a pleasant herbal aroma.[4]

5.Cool and Infuse:

Turn off the flame and let the oil cool completely with the herbs submerged. Allowing it to sit overnight will enhance both its flavor and potency.[5]

6.Filter the Oil:

Use muslin cloth to strain the oil.[5]

7.Strain and Store:

Strain the oil into a clean, dry glass bottle using tinfoil or a blending cloth placed in sand.Store the finished oil in a cool, dark location.[10]

Evaluation parameters for herbal hair oil:

Ø  Organoleptic Property:

    Color: Detected by naked eyes.

       Sensitivity: Applied to the skin and exposed to the sun for 5  twinkles to check for any  vexation over skin grit.

       Grittiness: Rubbed to the skin and observed.

       Sedimentation: Keep the whole medication away for overnight and check for sedimentation.[11]

Ø  PH:

      The pH metre was calibrated with buffer  results of pH 4 and pH 7. The electrode was bathed in hair  oil painting for a many  twinkles until the pH returned to normal.[12]

Ø  Viscosity measurement:

     The viscosity measurement was performed with spindle number 6 on a Brookfield viscometer (RVDV-II+PRO). In the beaker, 50 ml of hair serum was placed, and the viscosity was measured at various rpm, i.e., 10, 20, 50, 100.[13]

Ø  Physical evaluation:

     Specific gravity, pH, viscosity, acid value, and saponification value are the physical.

     Evaluation criteria that were established.[14]

Ø   Acid Value:

    10 ml of oil was added with 25ml of ethanol and 25ml of ether.Phenolphthalein was added asindicator and titrated with 0.1M Potassium hydroxide solution

    n = Number of ml of 0.1M KOH

    w = Wt. of oil[15]

CONCLUSION:

Herbal remedies are gaining popularity due to their efficacy and minimal side effects compared to synthetic medicines. They provide an alternative for those seeking effective treatment options. Hair care is essential for personal image, and many use herbal formulations for better hair health. These formulations often leverage natural ingredients for effective hair care. The study aims to create a herbal hair oil using natural ingredients such as amla, hibiscus, and coconut oil. The incorporation of these ingredients supports both nourishment and antioxidant properties essential for scalp health. A methodological approach is required for standardizing and assessing the quality of the herbal hair oil. Techniques include organoleptic assessments, chemical tests, and safety evaluations, ensuring a repeatable process for production and testing. Existing research suggests that hibiscus and curry leaves contain phytochemicals beneficial for hair growth, and scalp health. while coconut oil enhances the effectiveness of these components. This combination addresses both hair growth and scalp health.  Hair oils are key in treating hair issues and promoting strength and health, especially in response to rising hair

loss concerns. Alopecia, a common issue, underscores the need for effective natural remedies.  Regularly applying herbal oil can moisturize the scalp and combat issues like dryness and hair loss. The oil provides essential nutrients, promoting healthier hair growth naturally. Cosmetic products may inadvertently lead to hair and scalp problems, warranting a shift towards natural solutions. A wide range of herbal products is available to counteract such issues effectively.

REFERENCE:

1.    Suman, K. G., Kumar, B., & Mukopadayay, S. (2022). Herbal hair oil: A review. International Journal of Health Sciences, (II), 13449-13465.

2.    Banerjee, P. S., Sharma, M., & Nema, R. K. (2009). Preparation, evaluation and hair growth stimulating activity of herbal hair oil. J Chem Pharm Res, 1(1), 261-7.

3.    Jain, P. K., Das, D., & Jain, P. (2016). Evaluating hair growth activity of herbal hair oil. Int J PharmTech Res, 9(3), 321-7.

4.    Gautam, S., Dwivedi, S., Dubey, K., & Joshi, H. (2012). Formulation and evaluation of herbal hair oil. Int J Chem Sci, 10(1), 349-53.

5.    Pavan, S., Prathibha, C., Dr Kavitha, P. N., & Dr Saraswathi, C. D. (2021). Formulation and Evaluation of herbal hair oil. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Applications, 6(5), 1285-1299.

6.    Tiwari, G., & Tiwari, R. (2021). Assessment of nutraceutical potential of herbs for promoting hair growth: Formulation considerations of herbal hair oil. The Open Dermatology Journal, 15(1).

7.    Darade, D. V., Gote, V. P., Deshmukh, S. P., & Bansod, N. Y. (2023). A review on formulation and evaluation of herbal hair oil. GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 25(3), 001-004.

8.    Saraf, S., Jharaniya, M., Gupta, A., Jain, V., & Saraf, S. (2014). Herbal hair cosmetics: advancements and recent findings. World J Pharm Res, 3(2), 3278-94.

9.    Kale, A. D., Gayake, P. D., Farkade, M. G., Gavali, S. E., Gaware, S. G., & Vir, D. K. (2025). HERBAL HAIR OIL: A NOVEL FORMULATION FOR HAIR CARE AND MANAGEMENT.

10.    Darade, D. V., Gote, V. P., Deshmukh, S. P., & Bansod, N. Y. (2023). A review on formulation and evaluation of herbal hair oil. GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 25(3), 001-004.

11.    Pavan, S., Prathibha, C., Dr Kavitha, P. N., & Dr Saraswathi, C. D. (2021). Formulation and Evaluation of herbal hair oil. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Applications, 6(5), 1285-1299.

12.    Tiwari, G., & Tiwari, R. (2021). Assessment of nutraceutical potential of herbs for promoting hair growth: Formulation considerations of herbal hair oil. The Open Dermatology Journal.

13.    Tiwari, R., Tiwari, G., Yadav, A., & Ramachandran, V. (2021). Development and evaluation of herbal hair serum: A traditional way to improve hair quality. The Open Dermatology Journal.

14.    Meghamala, G., Bonthagarala, B., Yohan, G., Sri, G. D., Blessy, D., Angelina, C. B. S., & Saketh, D. (2024). Formulation development and evaluation natural hair oil. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 13(7), 1006-1016.

15.    Pavan, S., Prathibha, C., Dr Kavitha, P. N., & Dr Saraswathi, C. D. (2021). Formulation and Evaluation of herbal hair oil. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Applications, 6(5), 1285-1299.