HERBAL OILS IN COSMETIC AND THERAPEUTICS: A RAPID REVIEW

Sharique Ahmad*, Subuhi Anwar, Tanish Baqar, Pushpendra D. Pratap, Sudarshana Gogoi and Saba Naziya

ABSTRACT

In the last few years, more and more studies on the biological properties of essential oils (EOs) especially antimicrobial and antioxidant properties in vitro and food model have been published in all parts of the world. Herbal oils have been utilized for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes for over 2,500 years, according to historical records. It is inherited knowledge that has been passed down from generation to generation that provides a mostly untapped source for cosmetic formulation development. Recently, consumers have developed an ever-increasing interest in natural products as alternatives for artificial additives or pharmacologically relevant agents. Among them, EOs have gained great popularity in the food, cosmetic as well as pharmaceutical industries. Despite the reportedly strong antimicrobial activity of EOs against food-borne pathogens and spoilage microorganisms, their practical application as preservatives is currently limited owing to the undesirable flavor changes they cause in food products. As a result, the current survey was done to explore cosmetic potential herbal on the topical application of herbal oil for skincare, hair care, foot care, eye care, nail care, lip care, and dental care, data was collected. The collected data was double-checked against authentic Siddha literatures, and the results are evaluated for chemical compositions and other factors and relevant pharmacological activities. Nonetheless, more studies are necessary to the applicability of various EOs on other food models with their utility as therapeutic or cosmetic agent.

Keywords: Essential oils, Herbal, Anti-oxidants, Therapeutic, Cosmetic agents.