Preparation And Evaluation of Polyherbal Soap

These days One of the most prevalent dermatological conditions in the globe is fungal skin infection . According to research, 40 million people have fungal infections. Fungal infections that appear superficially on the nails, hair, and skin are widespread and typically challenging to treat. Dermatophytes are among the most frequent causes of tinea (capitis, manuum, pedis, cruris, corporis, barbae, and onychomycosis). ⁽¹⁾  Knowing the fundamentals of human skin structure and function is crucial for all medical practitioners. ⁽²⁾  Ayurvedic literature mention plant-based medicines, which are becoming more and more popular in India as a result of their validation in comparison to their contemporary counter parts. Soap is one of the contemporary cosmetics used to preserve and improve skin health.⁽³⁾ Therefore, Ayurvedic herbs listed under varnya are selected for formulation. Professor Galen was the one who brought up the use of soap for cleaning and maintaining the body. However, the current chemical soap commonly results in skin irritation and dryness. Interestingly, the effectiveness of herbal-based soaps for topical conditions is making them more and more popular.⁽⁴⁾

In Ayurveda, the plants giloy, neem, Tulsi, and besharam are listed under varnya herbs. Human skin, the body's outermost layer, serves as the body's first line of defence, protecting it from a variety of diseases.⁽⁵⁾  The skin is constantly exposed to many environmental stimuli because it is the interface with the environment. This increases the risk of skin injury. In an attempt to recover, severely damaged skin frequently forms scar tissue, which is frequently depigmented and decolorized.⁽⁶⁾ Plants have long been used to cure illnesses and infections in humans. The plant's active ingredient can be made into lotion, cream, gel, ointment, soap, or crud/solvent extract.⁽⁷⁾  Plant extracts and the phytoconstituents they contain are expected to be used in the future to manage hyperpigmentation.

Skin Infections

An infection of the skin that can be caused by bacteria, fungus, viruses or parasites. Skin disease may cause:

• Discoloured skin patches (abnormal pigmentation)
• Open sores, lesions or ulcers.
• Peeling skin
• Rashes, possibly with itchiness or pain.
• Red, white or pus-filled bumps.
• Scaly or rough skin.⁽⁸⁾

Fungal Infection

The two primary categories of fungus are yeasts and molds. Yeasts are typically single, small, oval cells, whereas mold colonies are composed of fibrous strands called hyphae. Despite their increasing prevalence, invasive fungal infections remain difficult to diagnose, prevent, and treat because of their high rates of morbidity and mortality.⁽⁹⁾ A fungal infection, also known as mycosis, is a skin ailment caused by a fungus. There are millions of different species of fungi. They can be found on surfaces in your house, on plants, in the soil, and on your skin. On rare occasions, they may cause skin problems like rashes or acne.

Symptoms of fungal infection

Irritation

Scratchy skin

Roughness

Itches

Elevation

Usually, bacterial skin infections begin as little red pimples that ultimately enlarge. Moderate bacterial infections can be treated with topical antibiotics; more serious illnesses require oral medicines. Bacterial skin infections include impetigo, boils, and leprosy.
Viral skin disorders are caused by viruses. These infections vary in severity. Among the several viral diseases are warts, chickenpox, and hand, foot, and mouth disease.⁽¹⁰⁾

HERBAL SOAP

Herbal soap has antibacterial, anti-aging, antioxidant, and antiseptic properties⁽¹¹⁾. Unlike commercial soap, herbal soap does not contain artificial color, flavor, fluorides, etc⁽¹²⁾ . Due to their high medical value, affordability, accessibility, and compatibility, herbs are the natural products most frequently used to treat almost all illnesses and skin issues⁽¹³⁾.

Neem, Tulsi, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, Lemon Ipomea Carnea, Giloy, water, coconut, oil, stearic acid, sorbitol, hydroxide, glycerine, and color soap base are the primary ingredients in this soap recipe. Azadirachta indica, one of the greatest trees in India, is well-known for its therapeutic qualities, which include antifungal and antibacterial effects on a variety of skin conditions. Fruits and seeds contain neem oil. Most common problems that people encounter are treated with it⁽¹⁴⁾.

For thousands of years, people have known and used aloe vera's health, cosmetic, medicinal, and skin care advantages. Nowadays, the realm of cosmetology is where aloe vera is most frequently used. Aloe vera has 75 potentially active compounds⁽¹⁴⁾.
Curcuma longa possesses anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, moisturizing, anti-oxidant, astringent, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Recent studies have shown that curcumin is excellent for wrinkles and can lower inflammation and the generation of free radicals ⁽¹⁵⁾.

Almond oil has been used for hundreds of years to treat dry skin conditions including psoriasis and eczema. In recent years, oxidative stress has drawn more attention in biology and medicine due to its involvement in several diseases, such as cancer, aging, and arteriosclerosis. The oil may decrease the appearance of acne, promote cell development, and reverse UV damage⁽¹⁶⁾.

Tulsi is also used in the soap-making process. Deep cleaning, acne treatment, and skin lightening are just a few of its many advantages. Tulsi also made use of certain acute respiratory conditions. Cough, bronchitis, fever, and colds are all relieved by tulsi leaf juice . Tulsi is also used to reduce blood glucose levels in diabetics. The main component of this herbal soap is tulsi, which also has other advantages including lowering stress and boosting endurance⁽¹⁷⁾.

When making soap for moisturized skin, rose water is utilized. The main benefits of this soap are its antibacterial, antifungal, lightening, acne-removing, and moisturizing properties. the rose water is rich in antioxidants , volatile oil and mild astringent compound⁽¹⁸⁾ .

Fig. 1 Polyherbal soap                         fig.2 polyherbal soap

Content of soap

Aloe vera ⁽¹⁹⁾

Family: Liliaceae

Botanical name: Aloe barbadensis [miller]

Parts: Pulp

Chemical constituents: Aloe vera contains a rich mixture of phytochemicals, barbaloin, aloesin, vitamins,   minerals, enzymes, amino acids, and sugars c-glucosides, anthraquinones.

Aloe vera gel: It is obtained from the leaves of aloe vera

Fig. 3   ALOE VERA                                             barbaloin

 MEDICINAL USES OF ALOE VERA

NEEM ⁽²⁰⁾

Family: Meliaceae.

Botanical name: Azadirachta indica.

 Chemical constituents: Azadirachtin, Glycerides, polyphenols, flavonoids , alkaloid, nimbin, nimbidin, terpenoid, steroids.

 Neem oil: It is known as ‘’margosa oil’’. Pressed from fruits and seeds of neem. 

                                                        fig.4  neem                              Azadirachtin

MEDICINAL USES OF NEEM

TULSI ⁽²¹⁾

Synonyms- Ocimum tenuiflorum.

 Biological source:-Fresh and dried leaves of ocimum species like ocimum sanctum l.

Family:- Lamiaceae .

 Part use:- Leaf .

 Chemical constituents- Eugenol germacrceterpens

Fig. 6 tulsi                                        Eugenol germacrceterpens

MEDICAL USE OF TULSI

TURMERIC ⁽²²⁾

Family: Zingiberaceae.

 Botanical name: Curcuma longa.

 Parts: Rhizome

 Chemical constituents: Curcumin, Zingiberene, Demethoxycurcumin,  Bisdemethoxycurcumin Volatile ,Turmerone, Atlantone,  Zingiberene ,Proteins, Resins, Sugars, Starches.

MEDICINAL USE OF TURMARIC FOR SKIN

CITRUS LIMON (23)

Common name:- Lemon.

Biological name:-citrus limon.

Biological sources:-Citrus limon consists of the fresh fruit obtained from the plant citrus limon (L.)Burm. F.,

Family:- Rutaceae .

Chemical constituents- niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, choline, pantothenic acid, foliate, vitamin c, vitamin B6, and minerals (calcium, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc).

Part use:- fruits .

                        Fig. 7 CITRUS LIMON.

Medicinal Uses of Citrus limon

Almond ⁽²⁴⁾

Family: Rosaceae.

Botanical name: Prunus Amygdalus  ,

Parts: Nuts ,

Chemical constituents: Proteins, lipids, tannins, amino acids, leic acid, stearic acid , linoleic acid, palmitoleic acid and palmitic acid.

 Almond oil: It is obtained from by pressing nuts or fruits. In order to acquire the oil.

Uses: assist in balancing moisture absorption and water loss. enhances skin tone and complexion, addresses dry skin, reduces puffiness and under-eye bags, and heals acne. helps cure sun damage and lessens the visibility of scars and stretch marks.

CARICA PAPAYA ⁽²⁵⁾

Biological name: Caricapapaya L.

Comman name: papaya.

Chemical constituent: tannin, alkaloid, glycosides, saponin, papin etc.

Part tyupically used: fruits.

Fig. 9  Caric papaya

  Medicinal use of Caric papaya

Reetha ^(26,27)

Synonyms:- Sapindus mukorossi

Biological source:- Scientifically known as sapindus mukorossi.   

Family;-Sapindaceae

Part typically used- The seeds

chemical constituent-Saponins, sugars and mucilage

Medicinal Uses Of Reetha