Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

Dandruff is one of the most common scalp disorders affecting individuals of all age groups and is often associated with itching, scalp irritation, and hair fall. The present study was undertaken to formulate and evaluate a herbal anti-dandruff shampoo using natural ingredients such as fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum), curry leaves (Murraya koenigii), and neem leaves (Azadirachta indica), which are traditionally known for their antimicrobial, antifungal, and hair-nourishing properties. Three different shampoo formulations were prepared by incorporating individual herbal extracts into a shampoo base containing sodium lauryl sulfate, acacia, glycerin, gelatin, and lavender oil. The prepared formulations were evaluated for various physicochemical parameters including appearance, pH, foamability, foam stability, dirt dispersion, cleansing action, solid content, microbial examination, skin irritation, and stability studies. The results revealed that all formulations exhibited acceptable physical characteristics with pleasant odor, smooth texture, good foaming ability, and satisfactory cleansing action. The pH values ranged between 5.0 and 5.7, which is suitable for scalp application. Among the formulations, the curry leaf extract shampoo showed superior dirt dispersion and cleansing performance. Stability studies indicated that all formulations remained stable under storage conditions without significant changes in appearance or performance. Skin irritation studies confirmed that the shampoos were non-irritant and safe for topical use. The herbal ingredients contributed significantly to dandruff reduction, scalp nourishment, and improvement of overall hair health. The study concludes that the formulated herbal anti-dandruff shampoo is a safe, effective, and economical alternative to synthetic shampoos. The combination of natural herbal extracts offers promising anti-dandruff activity with minimal side effects and has potential for further development as a commercial herbal hair care product.