According to Drug & Cosmetic Act 1940, Cosmetic means any article intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled or sprayed on, or introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body or any part thereof for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness or altering the appearance and includes any article intended for use as a component of cosmetic.
These are the cosmetics which are prepared from plant products having cosmetic action.
Example of herbs used for cosmetic action: Aloe, Almond, Lavender, Olive, Rosemary, Sandalwood.
Benefits of Herbs
:
1. Enhance physical and mental well being and also strengthen the immune system.
2. Detoxification, aid in sleeping digestion and increase stamina and reduce fatigue.
3. Herbs are the potent source of some pharmaceutical medication: extremely useful.
4.Herbal products are safe because they are natural: can be harmful if taken improperly or in excessive amount.
2. COSMETICS
According to Drug & Cosmetic Act 1940, Cosmetic means
any article intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled or
sprayed on, or introduced into, or otherwise applied to
the human body or any part thereof for cleansing,
beautifying, promoting attractiveness or altering the
appearance and includes any article intended for use as
a component of cosmetic.
Cosmetics are the substances that are used to enhance the
odor and appearance of human body.
3. HERBAL COSMETICS
These are the cosmetics which are prepared from plant
products having cosmetic action.
Recently the use of botanicals in cosmetics have
increased mainly due to the mild action and non toxic
nature.
In cosmetics, both natural and phyto ingredients are
used. Natural products include oils, extracts, secretion
etc. Phyto-ingredients includes pure constituents
obtained by various processes.
4. Benefits of Herbs
i. Enhance physical and mental well being and also
strengthen the immune system.
ii. Detoxification, aid in sleeping digestion and
increase stamina and reduce fatigue.
iii. Herbs are the potent source of some pharmaceutical
medication: extremely useful.
iv. Herbal products are safe because they are natural:
can be harmful if taken improperly or in
excessive amount.
Example of herbs used for cosmetic action: Aloe,
Almond, Lavender, Olive, Rosemary,
Sandalwood.
5. Advantages of Herbal Cosmetics
i. They provoke less allergic
reaction and less negative
side effects.
ii. They are easily incorporated
with skin and hair.
iii. With small quantity they are
very effective as compared to
synthetic cosmetics.
iv. Easily available and found in
large varieties and quantity.
6. Disadvantages of Herbal Cosmetics
i. Herbal cosmetics have slower effects as compare to
synthetic products and it requires long term therapy.
ii. They are difficult to hide taste and odor.
iii. Manufacturing processes are time consuming and
complicated.
iv. No pharmacopoeia defines any specific procedures
or ingredients to be used in any herbal cosmetics.
7. 1. Aloe vera gel
Source: Aloe is the dried juice obtained
by incision from the bases of leaves of
various species of aloe plants such as
Aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis, Aloe ferox and Aloe
perryi belonging to Family Liliaceae.
Chemical Constituents
i. The most important constituents of the aloe are
three isomers of Aloin i.e. Barbaloin, β-aloin and
Isobarbaloin.
ii. Other constituents are resin, emodin and aloe-
emodin.
8. Therapeutic & Cosmetic Uses
i. Purgative, anthelmintics and anti-inflammatory.
ii. It is useful in maintaining blood pressure and ulcers.
iii. It is used to treat burns and wounds and skin irritation.
iv. It increases blood circulation to the scalp and makes
the hair soft and also reduces the dandruff.
v. Used in treatment of dry skin and fungal infection.
Marketed Product
Soundarya Aloe vera gel (Patanjali).
Mama Earth Aloe vera gel (Mama Earth).
9. 2. Almond Oil
Almond oil contains large amount of nutrients
and useful properties, thus making it a powerful
cosmetic ingredient.
Source:
Almond oil is a fixed oil obtained by expression from the
seeds of Prunus amygdalus var. dulcis (sweet
almonds), belonging to family Rosaceae.
Chemical Constituents:
Almond oil contains fixed oil (45-56%) and proteins (20%).
Almond oil consists of a mixture of glycerides of oleic, linoleic,
palmitic, myristic, palmitoleic, margaric, stearic, linolenic,
arachidic, gadoleic, behenic and erucic acid.
10. Therapeutic & Cosmetic Uses
i. Almond oil is used as anti-inflammatory and immunity
booster agent.
ii. It is helpful in preventing Cardio vascular diseaes
reducing the level of LDL.
iii. It is used to treat dry skin condition and other skin
diseases.
iv. Used as an emollient and an ingredient in cosmetics.
Marketed Products
Baidyanath lal tail (Baidyanath Company),
Himcolin gel (Himalaya Drug Company),
Sage badam roghan (Sage Herbals).
11. 3. Lavender Oil
Source: Lavdender oil is obtained by
steam distillation of freshly cut flowering tops and stalk
of Lavandula officinalis belonging to
family Lamiaceae.
Chemical Constituents
i. Linalool
ii. Linalyl acetate
iii. Camphor
12. Therapeutic & Cosmetic uses
i. Used in wound healing, cuts and burns.
ii. It is a natural anti-inflammatory agent, hence, helps
to reduce itching, redness and swelling.
iii. Reduces high blood pressure.
iv. Natural anti-microbial agent.
Marketed Product
i. Pure Himalayan Lavender oil (St. Botanica),
ii. Lavender aroma diffuser oil (Brahmz®).
13. 4. Olive Oil
Source: Olive oil is the fixed oil
obtained by expressing the ripe fruits of Olea europaea
belonging to family Oleaeceae.
Chemical Constituents: It contains:
i. Mixed glycosides of Oleic acid, palmitic acid,
linoleic acid and stearic acid, arachidic acid and
linolenic acid.
ii. The major constituents are :
Squalene, Phytosterols and tocopherols.
14. Therapeutic & Cosmetic Uses
i. Olive oil is used in manufacturing of various
pharmaceutical preparations like soap, liniments,
cosmetics etc.
ii. It is good solvent for parenteral preparation.
iii. It is used as emollient, nutrients, demulcent and mild
laxatives.
iv. Rich source of Vitamin E.
Marketed Products:
1. Extra light olive oil ( GAIA),
2. Extra virgin olive oil ( Tropicana).
15. 5. Rosemary Oil
Source: Rosemary oil is distilled from the flowering tops
of leafy twigs of Rosmarinus
officinalis, belonging to family
Lamiaceae.
Chemical Constituents:
i. The fresh material yields
volatile oil containing esters and alcohols.
ii. The principal constituents are 1,8-cineole, borneol,
camphor, bornyl acetate, and monoterpene
hydrocarbons.
iii. It also contain triterpene alcohols, α- and β-amyrins,
rosmarinic acid, rofficeronecaffeic acid, chlorogenic
acid, α-hydroxydihydrocaffeic acid,
16. Therapeutic & Cosmetic Uses
i. Oil is mainly used in perfumery industry.
ii. It is a component of soap liniment and is frequently
used in aromatherapy.
iii. used for gastrointestinal disturbances, to enhance
urinary and digestive elimination function and as a
choleretic or cholagogue.
iv. Topically, it is applied to clear nasal passages, for
colds, as a mouthwash.
17. Marketed Products
1. Erina Plus (Himalaya Drug Company),
2. It is one of the ingredients of the preparations known
as Anti-Dandruff Hair Oil, Anti-Dandruff Shampoo,
Protein Shampoo for oily/greasy hair
18. 6. Sandalwood Oil
Source: Sandalwood oil is a volatile oil, obtained by
distillation of sandalwood, Santalum album Linn.,
belonging to family Santalaceae.
19. Chemical Constituents
i. The main odorous and medicinal constituent of
Sandalwood is santalol.
ii. Santalol (sesquiterpene alcohol) forms more than
90% of the oil and is present as a mixture of two
isomers, α-santalol and β-santalol.
iii. The other constituents reported are hydrocarbons
santene, nor-tricycloekasantalene, α-, and β-
santalenes.
20. Therapeutic & Cosmetic Uses
i. Highly used in perfumery creations.
ii. Finds an important place in soaps, face creams, and
toilet powders.
iii. A chemo-protective action on liver carcinogenesis
in mice has been demonstrated.
Marketed products
1. Abana, Evecare, Lukol, Antiwrinkle cream
(Himalaya Drug Company).
2. Mahamarichadi tail, Brahma rasayan (Dabur).
