NATURE'S PHARMACY FOR HAIR: A REVIEW OF BOTANICAL INGREDIENTS FOR HAIR GROWTH, DANDRUFF CONTROL, AND SCALP WELLNESS

Hair plays a crucial role in human appearance, cultural identity, and overall well-being, underscoring the importance of proper hair care. The increasing popularity of herbal hair oils can be attributed to their natural composition, minimal side effects, and therapeutic benefits in maintaining scalp health and promoting hair growth. This review delves into the structure of the hair follicle, the hair growth cycle, and the functional role of herbal ingredients commonly used in hair oil formulations, such as coconut, amla, curry leaves, fenugreek, hibiscus, nagarmotha, and black cumin. A traditionally prepared herbal hair oil was evaluated through physicochemical assessments, including pH, viscosity, acid value, saponification value, specific gravity, and stability testing. The results demonstrated a favourable pH, acceptable viscosity, low acid value, and good stability, with no skin irritation or sensitivity observed. The findings highlight the potential of herbal hair oils as a safe and natural alternative to synthetic hair care products, offering significant benefits for promoting healthy hair and scalp.