Cosmetic Herbs

Herbs for Beauty Care

Herbs and spices have been used in maintaining and enhancing human beauty since time immemorial. Indian women have long used herbs such as Sandalwood and Turmeric for skin care; Henna to color the hair, palms and soles; and natural oils to perfume their bodies. Not too long ago, elaborate herbal beauty treatments were carried out in the royal palaces of India to heighten sensual appeal and maintain general hygiene. Rightly said, beauty is very much an inner thing. First beautify from within. A large number of cosmetic and toiletry formulations have been developed based on Indian Herbs recently. Apart from traditionally documented applications, some modern trials have also established the utility of Indian herbs in Personal Care products. Below is a partial list of herbs with Cosmetic applications.

Cosmetic Herbs

Latin name	Common name	Part used	Uses
SKIN CARE
Acorus calamus	Sweet flag	Rhizome	Aromatic, Dusting powders, Skin lotions
Allium sativum	Garlic	Bulb	Promotes skin healing, Antibacterial
Aloe vera	Aloe	Leaf	Moisturizer, Sun screen, Emollient
Alpinia galanga	Galanga	Rhizome	Aromatic, Dusting powders
Avena sativa	Oat	Fruit	Moisturizer, Skin tonic
Azadirachta indica	Neem	Leaf	Antiseptic, Reduce dark spots, Antibacterial
Calendula officinalis	Marigold	Flower	Skin care, Anti-inflammatory, Antiseptic, Creams
Centella asiatica	Gotu kola	Plant	Wound healing, Reduce stretch marks, Creams
Cichorium intybus	Chicory	Seed	Clears skin of blemishes
Citrus aurantium	Orange	Peel	Skin creams, Anti acne, Anti bacteria
Curcuma longa	Turmeric	Rhizome	Anti bacterial, Anti microbial, Skin creams
Cyperus rotundus	Nagarmotha	Roots	Suntan, Astringent, Anti-inflammatory
Daucus carota	Carrot	Seed	Natural source of Vit A, Creams
Euphorbia hirta	Spurge Herb	Entire	Skin diseases, Cracked lips

		herb
Glycyrrhiza glabra	Liquorice	Root	Anti inflammatory, Decrease pigmentation marks
Marticaria chamomilla	Chamomile	Flower	Skin cleanser
Mesua ferrea	Cobras saffron	Flower	Astringent
Moringa oleifera	Benjamin	Seed	Suntan lotions
Ocimum sanctum	Tulsi	Entire herb	Antibacterial, Decrease dark spots
Pongamia glabra	Karanj	Seed	Externally for skin disorders
Rubia cordifolia	Manjistha	Root	Wound healing, Lighten pigmentation marks
Terminalia chebula	Harda	Fruit	Astringent
Triticum sativum	Wheat germ	Germ	Natural source of Vit E
Zizyphus jujuba	Zizyphus	Fruit	Skin care
HAIR CARE
Acacia concina	Shikakai	Pod	Natural cleansing agent, Detergent, Dandruff
Aloe vera	Aloe	Leaf	Moisturizer, Shampoos
Azadirachta indica	Neem	Leaf	Anti-fatigue, Graying of hair, Alopecia
Bacopa monneri	Brahmi	Entire herb	Hair growth, Good for sleep, Shampoos
Cedrus deodara	Deodar	Wood	Soaps, Shampoos
Centella asiatica	Gotu kola	Plant	Hair care, Darkening of hair, Hair oil
Citrus aurantium	Orange	Peel	Soaps, Shampoos
Citrus limon	Lemon	Peel	Prevents hair loss
Eclipta alba	Bhringraj	Plant	Promoting hair growth, Shampoos, Hair oil
Emblica officinalis	Amla	Fruits	Hair care, Prevents grayness, Anti stress
Hibiscus rosa sinensis	China rose	Flower	Improves hair, Prevents premature greyness
Lawsonia alba	Henna	Leaf	Hair growth, Natural conditioner, Natural dye
Marticaria chamomilla	Chamomile	Flower	Hair tonic
Moringa oleifera	Benjamin	Seed	Hair oils
Sapindus trifoliatus	Soap wort	Fruit	Natural detergent, Shampoos
Triticum sativum	Wheat germ	Germ	Natural source of Vit E, Shampoos
Wedelia calendulacea	Bhangra	Entire herb	Hair care, Shampoos
Rosa centifolia	Gulab	Rose	Coolant, Antifatigue

Terminalia belerica	Baheda	Fruit	Hair tonic , Used for graying of hair
Sesamum indicum	Til	Seed	Hair tonic, Check hair fall, Relieves headache
DENTAL CARE
Acacia arabica	Babul	Bark	Teeth disorders
Azadirachta indica	Neem	Leaf	Toothache, Antibacterial, Dental carries
Barleria prionitis	Vajradanti	Entire herb	Strengthens teeth, Tooth ache
Syzygium aromaticum	Clove	Bud	Toothache, Antiseptic
Glycyrrhiza glabra	Yastimadhu	Roots	Natural sweetner and flavour
Salvadora persica	Pilu	Twigs	Anti microbial
NATURAL COLORS
Bixa orellana	Annatto	Seed	Red, Orange
Beta vulgaris	Beet root	Roots	Red
Curcuma longa	Turmeric	Roots	Yellow, Orange
Caesalpinia sappan	Patang	Wood	Red, Violet