Claims:
1. A polyherbal insect repellent fumigant composition containing synergistic mixture comprising;
i. active ingredients like:-
a. pulverized powder of Curcuma xanthorrhiza ranging from 10-80%;
b. Neem powder of range 0.1-10 %;
c. Vetiver root powder 0.1-5 % of the fumigant composition;
d. Other herbal actives like: Tulsi, thymol, patchouli, Cinnamomum camphora (camphor);
e. Mustard oil of range 0.1 – 5%;
ii. binders like guar gum and Joss stick powder together in 1-20% of the fumigant composition;
iii. charcoal powder 5-20% of the fumigant composition;
iv. the gum of benzoin 5-30 % of the fumigant composition;
v. Potassium nitrate which aids smouldering;
vi. sodium benzoate as antimicrobial/preservative; and
vii. 20-500 microns sized powder of the bark of at least one bark selected from a group of barks consisting of Litsea chinensis, Litsea glutinosa, Litsea sebifera and Machilus macarantha ranging from 1- 40% of the fumigant composition;
viii. at least one herb selected from a group of herbs consisting of leaf powder of Eucalyptus globulus beneficiated with concentrated eucalyptus oil; ranging from 1-65% of the fumigant composition;
ix. leaf powder of Azadirachta indica beneficiated with its concentrated oil; ranging from 0.1 – 5%.
x. leaf or seed powder of Ocimum sanctum; ranging from 1-65% of the fumigant composition.

2. A process of polyherbal insect repellent fumigant composition as claimed in Claim 1, by (i) mixing;
a. Pulverized powder of Curcuma xanthorrhiza,
b. 20-500 microns sized powder of the bark of at least one bark selected from a group of barks consisting of joss stick powder like Litsea chinensis, Litsea glutinosa, Litsea sebifera, Machilus macarantha and guar gum,
c. charcoal powder, potassium nitrate and sodium benzoate to obtain a base mixture.
(ii) blending (a), (b) and (c) above homogenously with a dispensed quantity of water to obtain a paste;
(iii) adding to the fumigant composition of step (ii), at least one herb selected from a group of herbs consisting of leaf powder of Eucalyptus globulus beneficiated with concentrated eucalyptus oil; leaf juice of Azadirachta indica beneficiated with its concentrated oil; crushed leaves of vetiver, thyme seeds and patchouli leaves; leaf or seed powder of Ocimum sanctum;
(iv) blending the above herbal ingredients intimately with the fumigant base of step (iv) with a dispensed quantity of water to form a paste.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to cost effective community friendly mosquito repellent fumigant compositions and processes of preparation thereof.

Background and Prior art
Diseases such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever, filariasis and Japanese encephalitis have been major cause for morbidity and mortality globally especially in third world countries including India. Eversince, it was realised that mosquitoes are the propagators of these diseases, concerted efforts have been initiated to fight and eliminate the mosquito menace. Synthetic chemicals have been used in sprays and fumigants both in fields as well as in domestic evirons, leading to increasing health hazards on human beings. Various type of chemical compounds such as Pyrethrin, Allethrin, Bioallethrin, Bioresmethrin, S-Bioallethrin, Cypermethrin, Deltamethrin, Fenothrin, Tetramethrin and the like have been used in various delivery systems over recent years. Products in the form of coils, mats, sprays and vaporisers have been in use increasingly in recent times. However, all of them are based on chemical active ingredients which cause additional disadvantages such as environmental pollution and human health hazards such as allergy, asthma and COPD.

It was therefore essential for the mosquito fighting researchers and industry to come up with newer active ingredients for incorporating into devices to be used in domestic environs.

One such solution to the problem emerged when it was proposed to use herbal active ingredients in insect repellent preparations.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION:
It is an object of the present invention to find an eco-friendly, economical, readily available alternate solution to synthetic insecticides in use as mosquito repellents. Another object of the present invention is to study and identify natural ingredients and their concentration for long acting, cost effective, eco-friendly repellent preparations.

METHOD OF PREPARATION:
In an aspect, the present invention provides for herbal insect repellent composition comprising a unique and synergistic mixture of:-
1. Mosquito repellent herbal active ingredients:-
a. A powdered rhizome of Curcuma xanthorrhiza; 10-80% of the fumigant composition;
b. Neem powder of range 0.1-10 %;
c. Vetiver root powder 0.1-5 % of the fumigant composition.
d. Other herbal actives like: Tulsi, thymol, patchouli, Cinnamomum camphora (camphor);
e. Mustard oil
2. binder like guar gum and Joss stick powder together in 1-20% of the fumigant composition;
3. charcoal powder 5-20% of the fumigant composition;
4. the gum of benzoin 5-30 % of the fumigant composition;
5. Potassium nitrate which aids smouldering;
6. sodium benzoate as antimicrobial/preservative
7. 20-500 microns sized powder of the bark of at least one bark selected from a group of barks consisting of Litsea chinensis, Litsea glutinosa, Litsea sebifera and Machilus macarantha.
8. at least one herb selected from a group of herbs consisting of leaf powder of Eucalyptus globulus beneficiated with concentrated eucalyptus oil; ranging from 5-65% of the fumigant composition;
9. leaf powder of Azadirachta indica beneficiated with its concentrated oil; ranging from 0.1 – 5 %.
10. leaf or seed powder of Ocimum sanctum; ranging from 1 - 65% of the fumigant composition.

This mixture is then processed into incense sticks that burn for 1 hour to 8 hours giving protection from mosquitoes for extended period of time. This mixture can also be used for making cones, dhoops and spiral coils.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention will now be described in detail in connection with certain preferred and optional embodiments, so that various aspects thereof may be more fully understood and appreciated.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a process for manufacturing the insect repellent composition. The following steps are employed while preparing the insecticidal composition:-
1. The herbal ingredients Curcuma xanthorrhiza are plucked carefully taking the help of a botanist experienced in identifying and handling the herbs required for the insect repellent compositions. In case of rhizomes used in the composition, special care was taken to clean them thoroughly to remove traces of chemical ingredients such as fertilizers and pesticides. Further, the rhizomes are dried in shade for sufficiently long time to remove possible biological and microbial impurities.
2. Care is taken that all the herbal ingredients are healthy, fresh, and intact without any infection or external damage.
3. Freshly extracted oils were prepared or procured from reputed manufacturers.
4. The other raw materials such as charcoal powder are also procured from reliable and reputed sources.
5. After cleaning and washing the herbs thoroughly, the herbs are handled with clean plastic or latex gloves.
6. Fresh, clean demineralized water are used for mixing the preparation thoroughly.
7. Clean and aseptic conditions are employed for crushing or grinding of all the herbal ingredients using a clean mortar and pestle or a grinder/mixer or pulveriser for large quantities.

In another preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a process of manufacturing the insect repellent incense sticks, the said process comprising:
1. STEP 1
Preparing a mixture of insect repellent fumigant base by mixing
a. Pulverized powder of Curcuma xanthorrhiza
b. 20-500 microns sized powder of the bark of at least one bark selected from a group of barks consisting of joss stick powder like Litsea chinensis, Litsea glutinosa, Litsea sebifera, Machilus macarantha and guar gum,
2. charcoal powder, potassium nitrate, sodium benzoate

STEP 2
3. Adding to the base mixture of step-1, at least one of the following herbal ingredients: Neem leaf powder/Vetiver/Patchouli with concentrated citronella oils and thyme oils 0.1 - 5%;

STEP 3
4. Mixing the herbal ingredients of step-2 thoroughly with the base of step-1 using a dispensed quantity of water to form a paste;

STEP 4
5. Mixing thoroughly the base mixture of step-1 with a dispensed quantity of water and applying it to a bamboo, cane splint or other splints of natural origin;

6. extruding or pasting the composition of step-4 on bamboo or cane splints for preparing the insect repellent fumigant to obtain an incense stick;

7. alternatively molding the incense stick of step-5 to obtain incense sticks of various cross sections; cross sections being selected from circular, semi circular, rectangular, square, triangular, polygonal and the like;
8. drying the incense sticks so prepared as described in the steps above and
9. Wrapping the incense sticks in multiples often in a laminate.

Bioefficacy testing
Created prototypes / experimental samples were tested by WHO test method for repellent testing using the Peet Grady Chamber test method. The results showed KT50 comparable to commercially available samples for Culex mosquito.

EXAMPLES
Several examples are set forth below to further illustrate the nature of the invention and the manner of carrying it out. However, the invention should not be considered as being limited to the details thereof.

Example 1
Sr. No. Ingredient Quantity %
1 Curcuma xanthorrhiza 75
2 Neem 5
3 Mustard oil 1
4 Litsea G 10
5 Guar gum 3.5
6 Sodium benzoate 0.5
7 Perfume 1
8 Potassium nitrate 4
Total 100

Example 2
Sr. No. Ingredient Quantity %
1 Curcuma xanthorrhiza 75
2 Neem 5
3 Litsea G 10
4 Guar gum 3.5
5 Sodium benzoate 0.5
6 Perfume 1
7 Charcoal powder 5
Total 100

Example 3

Sr. No. Ingredient Quantity %
1 Curcuma xanthorrhiza 78
2 Vetiver 2
3 Mustard oil 1
4 Litsea G 10
5 Guar gum 3.5
6 Sodium benzoate 0.5
7 Perfume 1
8 Potassium nitrate 4
Total 100

Example 4
Sr. No. Ingredient Quantity %
1 Curcuma xanthorrhiza 75
2 Tulsi 5
3 Camphor wood 3
4 Litsea G 10
5 Guar gum 3.5
6 Sodium benzoate 0.5
7 Perfume 1
8 Charcoal powder 2
Total 100

Example 5
Sr. No. Ingredient Quantity %
1 Curcuma xanthorrhiza 75
2 Citronella oil 2
4 Litsea G 10
5 Guar gum 3.5
6 Sodium benzoate 0.5
7 Perfume 1
8 Charcoal powder 8
Total 100

Process of manufacturing:
The aforesaid ingredients are mixed thoroughly together to obtain a homogenous mixture of fumigant composition. The said composition is burnt to get rid of insects. The insect repellent compositions of the present invention can be manufactured in various forms such as joss-sticks, incense sticks, bricks, cones, candles, beads, pellets, tablets and the like. The product of this invention is specifically useful in containing the growth and propagation of insects and particularly flying insects like mosquito.