Formulation and Evaluation of a Polyherbal Shampoo Incorporating Seven Ayurvedic Botanical Extracts

Herbal alternatives to traditional shampoos, which frequently contain synthetic surfactants linked to hair damage and scalp irritation, have gained popularity due to the growing demand for sustainable and natural personal care products. The present study aimed to formulate and evaluate a liquid polyherbal shampoo incorporating aqueous extracts of seven Ayurvedic medicinal plants: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Eclipta alba, Phyllanthus emblica, Acacia concinna, Sapindus mukorossi, Trigonella foenum-graecum, and Oryza sativa. These plants were chosen because of their traditional use and documented phytochemical qualities that are good for the health of the hair and scalp. Aqueous extracts were prepared by decoction method and subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening. Three formulations (F1, F2, and F3) were developed using varying concentrations of herbal extracts, with sodium laury sulfate serving as a co-surfactant and sodium benzoate as a preservative. The formulations were assessed for pH, viscosity, foam volume and stability, dirt dispersion, surface tension, wetting time, and total solid content. All formulations demonstrated acceptable physicochemical characteristics and were compatible with standard shampoo quality requirements. The pH ranged from 5.9 to 6.2 suggesting that it is suitable for scalp application. Among the tested batches, F3 exhibited the most favorable performance, showing optimal viscosity, improved foam characteristics, reduced surface tension, quicker wetting time, and appropriate solid content. The observed results suggest a synergistic contribution of the herbal constituents toward cleansing, conditioning, and hair-protective benefits. The optimised formulation has the potential to be a biodegradable Ayurvedic shampoo and should be further investigated through clinical evaluation, safety evaluations, and stability investigations.