FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an anti-dandruff herbal composition useful for treatment and prevention of dandruff and seborrhea. The anti-dandruff herbal composition comprises of coconut oil, garlic, fenugreek seeds, black pepper, lemon juice and mustard seeds.

The present invention also relates to a process of preparation of the anti-dandruff herbal composition. The composition is also useful for relief from inflammation and itchiness caused by dandruff and seborrhea.

BACKGROUND

Dandruff, also known as Pityriasis simplex capillaries, is the shedding of dead skin cells from the skin surface. As the epidermal layer continually replaces itself, cells are pushed outward where they eventually die and flake off.

Generally, these flakes of skin are too small to be visible. However, certain conditions cause cell turnover to be unusually rapid, especially in the scalp. Then the skin cells mature fast and are shed in 2-7 days as large, oily clumps, which appear as white or grayish patches on the scalp, skin and clothes.

Dandruff has been shown to be the result of three required factors: (i) skin oil commonly referred to as sebum or sebaceous secretions; (ii) the metabolic by-products of skin microorganisms (most specifically Molasses yeasts); and (iii) individual susceptibility.

Earlier literature cites the fungus Molasses furfur (previously known as Pityrosporum ovule) as the cause of dandruff. While this fungus is found naturally on the skin surface of both healthy people and those with dandruff, it was later discovered that a scalp specific fungus, Molasses globes, is the responsible agent. This fungus metabolizes triglycerides present in sebum by the expression of lipase, resulting in a lipid byproduct oleic acid. Penetration of the top layer of epidermis (stratum come) by oleic acid, results in an inflammatory response in susceptible persons which disturbs homeostasis and results in erratic cleavage of stratum come cells. Rarely, dandruff can be a manifestation of an allergic reaction to chemicals in hair gels, sprays, shampoos, hair oils, or sometimes even anti-dandruff medications like ketoconazole.

Seborrhea dermatitis, also known as seborrhea, is a skin disorder affecting the scalp, face, trunk and folds of skin causing scaly, flaky, itchy, red skin. It particularly affects the sebum-gland rich areas of skin. Patients with seborrhea dermatitis appear to have a reduced resistance to the famous, Molasses globes. They have an unfavorable epidermis response to the infection, with the skin becoming inflamed and flaked.

Symptoms of dandruff and seborrhea include white flakes on the skin, such as scalp which may be oily looking. The scalp may feel tight and itchy. Rashes and red flaky greasy patches also develop in the scalp certain cases. There is a general feeling of soreness and tingling sensation in the scalp. There are several products available for treatment of dandruff and seborrhea which includes anti-dandruff shampoos, anti-dandruff oils and anti- dandruff ointments. Some of the anti-dandruff shampoos contain selenium supplied which is very effective against dandruff. It acts as an anti-fungal agent and also reduces the production of natural oils from glands present on the scalp. Some anti-dandruff shampoos contain zinc parathion. It has anti-bacterial and anti-fugal properties. It slows down the production of yeast. Though some anti-dandruff shampoos are effective in cleaning the scalp thoroughly, growth of dandruff can recur. It may thus become a strict requirement for the individual to take head bath everyday with the anti-dandruff shampoo in severe cases. These products are chemical-based products that have harmful side-effects. Hence the presently available products for treatment and prevention of dandruff do not provide complete relief from the rashes on the scalp and red flaky greasy patches on skin.

Indian patent application no. 180/DEL/1999 discloses an anti-dandruff aqueous shampoo composition containing an amphitricha surfactant and an anionic surfactant supplemented with a thickener, foaming gels and a hair conditioner for hair and scalp to combat dandruff or to prevent its formation. The shampoo has to be used regularly. The patent application does not mention about the composition providing relief from the inflammation and itchiness of the dry patches.

Indian patent application no. 625/KOL/2005 discloses an improved process for preparation of anti-dandruff hair oil which can also be used to stop excess hair loss, promote growth of new hair, prevent and repair split ends. The anti-dandruff hair oil
comprises Seamus indium oil, Microbial, Tribalism terrestris, Trigonella foenumgraeceum, Ale indica, Saussurea lappa. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and Eclipta alba.
Indian patent no, IN222965 discloses a herbal composition for preventing hair fall and dandruff. The composition comprises Embilica offlcianalis (Amla) 7-35% by wt., Eclipta alba (Bhringraj) 7-35% by wt., Acacia concima (Shikakai) 10-50% by wt., Citrus autantifolia (Lime juice) 7-35% by wt., Crude Carbonate of soda (Sajji mitti) 2-12% by wt. and Camphora (Camphor) 0.5-3% by wt.

Hence there is a need for a composition which is useful for treatment and removal of dandruff and seborrhea along with providing relief from inflammation and itchiness caused by dandruff and seborrhea and other scalp diseases. The composition is an herbal composition prepared from the ingredients, which are economically available.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to an anti-dandruff herbal composition comprising coconut oil, garlic, fenugreek seed, black pepper, lemon juice and mustard seed in the ratio of 8 to 12: 3 to 6.5: 1.5 to 3.5: 0.5 to 1.5: 0.25 to 1.25: 0.5 to 1.5 w/w, respectively.

The present invention also relates to a process for preparation of an anti-dandruff herbal composition comprising the steps of: preparing 3 to 6.5 w/w ratio of garlic paste in water; obtaining a powder mixture of 1.5 to 3.5 w/w ratio of fenugreek seeds, 0.5 to 1.5 w/w ratio of black pepper and 0.5 to 1.5 w/w ratio of mustard seeds; mixing the garlic paste, the powder mixture and 0.25 to 1.25 w/w ratio of lemon juice in 8 to 12 w/w ratio of coconut oil and boiling for 3 to 4 hours to obtain the anti-dandruff herbal composition.
In an aspect of the present invention, the herbal composition is useful for treatment and prevention of dandruff and seborrhea. The herbal composition is also useful for relief from inflammation and itchiness caused by dandruff and seborrhea.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present subject matter will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form. This seminary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION
Accordingly the invention provides an anti-dandruff herbal composition comprising of coconut oil, garlic, fenugreek, black pepper, lemon juice, mustard and water. The anti- dandruff herbal composition is useful for treatment and prevention of dandruff and seborrhea and it also provides relief from inflammation and itchiness caused by dandruff and seborrhea with no harmful side effects.

There is also provided a process of preparation of an anti-dandruff herbal composition comprising the steps of preparing garlic paste in water; obtaining a powder mixture of fenugreek, black pepper and mustard; mixing the garlic paste, the powder mixture and lemon juice in coconut oil and boiling for 3 to 4 hours to obtain the anti- dandruff herbal composition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides an anti-dandruff herbal composition comprising: coconut oil, garlic, fenugreek seed, black pepper, lemon juice and mustard seed in the ratio of 8 to 12: 3 to 6.5: 1.5 to 3.5: 0.5 to 1.5: 0.25 to 1.25: 0.5 to 1.5 w/w, respectively.
In an embodiment of the present invention, anti-dandruff herbal composition comprises coconut oil, garlic, fenugreek seed, black pepper, lemon juice and mustard seed in the ratio of 10:5:2.5:1:0.75:1 w/w, respectively.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the coconut oil used in anti- dandruff herbal composition is pure coconut oil.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the fenugreek used in anti- dandruff herbal composition is in the form of powder.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the black pepper used in anti- dandruff herbal composition is in the form of powder.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the mustard used in anti-dandruff herbal composition is in the form of powder.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the anti-dandruff herbal composition is in the form of a lotion or oil.

In yet another enfibodiment of the present invention, the anti-dandruff herbal composition is in the form of oil.

The present invention also provides a process for preparation of an anti-dandruff herbal composition comprising the steps of: preparing 3 to 6.5 w/w ratio of garlic paste in water; obtaining a powder mixture of 1.5 to 3.5 w/w ratio of fenugreek seeds, 0.5 to 1.5 w/w ratio of black pepper and 0.5 to 1,5 w/w ratio of mustard seeds; mixing the garlic paste, the powder mixture and 0.25 to 1.25 w/w ratio of lemon juice in 8 to 12 w/w ratio of coconut oil and boiling for 3 to 4 hours to obtain the anti-dandruff herbal composition.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the process for preparation of an anti- dandruff herbal composition further comprises filtering the anti-dandruff herbal composition.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the anti-dandruff herbal composition is used for treatment and prevention of dandruff and seborrhea.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the anti-dandruff herbal composition is used for relief from inflammation and itchiness due to dry scalp caused by dandruff and seborrhea,

The use of anti-dandruff herbal composition of the present invention is simple. Hair is to be washed with any natural shampoo and dried. The anti-dandruff herbal composition is to be applied thoroughly on the area of inflammation and itchiness like scalp twice a day and gently massaged for 5 to 10 minutes. The anti-dandruff herbal composition is effective for three days only. So once in three days, head bath is to be taken while using it.

Alliums sativa, commonly known as garlic contains 0.1 to 0.36 % of volatile compounds. These volatile compounds are generally considered to be responsible for most of the pharmacological properties of garlic. Garlic contains at least 33 sulfur compounds like alliin, allicin, ajoene, dithiin, diallylsulflde, S-allylcysteine and others. Besides sulfur compounds, garlic contains 17 amino acids, minerals like selenium and enzymes like allinase, peroxidase, myrosinase. Garlic contains a higher concentration of sulphur compounds than any other Allium species. The sulfur compounds are responsible for its pungent odour and many of its medicinal effects. The odour is formed by the action of enzyme allinase on the sulphur compound alliin. This enzyme is inactivated by heat, which accounts for the fact that cooked garlic produces neither a string odour nor nearly as powerful physiological effects as raw garlic. However, one of the most biologically active compounds, allicin does not exist in garlic until it is crushed or cut; injury to the garlil bulb activates the enzyme allinase, which metabolizes alliin to allicin. Allicin is further metabolized to vinyldithiines. Allicin has anti-microbial effects against viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. Ajoene is another garlic-derived compound produced and has the advantage of a greater chemical stability then allicin. Ajoenes have been shown to possess anti-thrombotic activity in human platelet suspensions, anti-tumor activity and anti-fungal activity. The two major compounds in aged garlic, S-allylcysteine and S-allylmercapto-L- cysteien have the highest scavenging activity.

Trigonella foenum-graecum also known as Fenugreek belongs to Fabaceae family. It is an anti-septic, an anti-inflammatory and an anti-oxidant. It is also an anti-microbial substance that can be applied to living tissue/skin to reduce the possibility of infection, sepsis, or putrefaction.

Piper nigrum also known as black pepper contains piperine, an active phenol compound which makes it anti-inflmmatory, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-neoplastic, analgesic, anti-pyretic and anti-carcinogenic. It reduces the itching on the scalp.

Citrus limon also known as lemon contain quercitic, an important bioflavonoid which has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-allergenic properties.

Mustard (Brassica juncea) seeds are composed of protein, oil and carbohydrates together with minor constituents like minerals, essential oil (glucosinolates), phytin, as well as phenolic compounds and dithiolthiones. When mustard seeds are crushed and exposed to liquids, the enzyme myrosinase (thioglucoside glucohydrolase) hydrolysis glucosinolates to isothiocynates. Isothiocynates are anti-flingal, anti-microbial and inhibit growth of yeast.

EXAMPLES

The disclosure will now be illustrated with working examples, which is intended to illustrate the working of the invention and not intended to take restrictively to imply any limitations on the scope of the present invention.

EXAMPLE

For preparing a batch of 500 gms of oil based anti-dandruff herbal composition.
500 gms of garlic cloves were taken. Their skin was removed and they were cut into small pieces. The pieces were mixed with 100 ml of water and were grinded in a grinder to make a soft paste like solution of garlic. 250 gms of fenugreek seeds, 100 gms of black pepper seeds and 100 gms of mustard seeds were grinded to make a soft powder. 10 lemon fruits were taken and 75 ml of lemon juice was extracted. Garlic paste, lemon juice and powder of fenugreek seeds, black pepper seeds, and mustard seeds were mixed in 1 kg of pure coconut oil. This mixture was boiled for about 3 to 4 hours till foam stopped coming. This is an indication that water has been completely removed from the mixture. This boiled mixture was filtered to remove all the solid particles from the oil. This filtered oil is finally used as the anti-dandruff herbal composition.

ADVANTAGES

The previously described versions of the subject matter and its equivalent thereof have many advantages, including those which are described below.

The anti-dandruff herbal composition of the present invention is useful for treatment and prevention of dandruff and seborrhea. Another advantage of the herbal composition is that it provides relief from dry scalp, as a result of dandruff and seborrhea. Another additional advantage of the herbal composition is that it provides relief from inflammation and itchiness caused by dandruff and seborrhea. Yet another advantage of the herbal composition is that it provides relief from inflammation and itchiness caused by dandruff and seborrhea without any harm full effects or side effects. Still another advantage of the herbal composition is that it is easy to use and is effective for about three days after use.

Although the subject matter has been described in considerable detail with reference to
certain preferred embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. As such, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiment contained therein.

I claim:

1. An anti-dandruff herbal composition comprising:
coconut oil, garlic, fenugreek seed, black pepper, lemon juice and mustard seed in the ratio of 8 to 12: 3 to 6.5: 1.5 to 3.5: 0.5 to 1.5: 0.25 to 1.25: 0.5 to 1.5 w/w, respectively.

2. An anti-dandruff herbal composition as claimed in claim 1 comprising:
coconut oil, garlic, fenugreek seed, black pepper, lemon juice and mustard seed in the ratio of 10:5:2.5:1:0.75:1 w/w, respectively.

3. The anti-dandruff herbal composition as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the coconut oil is a pure coconut oil.

4. The anti-dandruff herbal composition as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the composition is in the form of a lotion or oil.

5. The anti-dandruff herbal composition as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the composition is in the form of oil.

6. A process for preparation of an anti-dandruff herbal composition comprising:
preparing 3 to 6.5 w/w ratio of garlic paste in water; obtaining a powder mixture of 1.5 to 3.5 w/w ratio of fenugreek seeds, 0.5 to 1.5 w/w ratio of black pepper and 0.5 to 1.5 w/w ratio of mustard seeds;
mixing the garlic paste, the powder mixture and 0.25 to 1.25 w/w ratio of lemon juice in 8 to 12 w/w ratio of coconut oil; and
boiling for 3 to 4 hours to obtain the anti-dandruff herbal composition.

7. The process as claimed in claim 6, wherein the process further comprises filtering the anti-dandruff herbal composition.

8. The anti-dandruff herbal composition as claimed in claims 1 to 5, wherein the composition is used for treatment and prevention of dandruff and seborrhea.

9. An anti-dandruff herbal composition for treatment and prevention of dandruff and seborrhea substantially as herein described and illustrated in the example.

10. A process for preparation of an anti-dandruff herbal composition for treatment and prevention of dandruff and seborrhea substantially as herein described and illustrated in the example.