Development and Optimization of a Tulsi Based Hand Wash

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to formulate and evaluate a poly-herbal hand wash using natural ingredients like aloe vera and lemon juice. This formulation is intended to have fewer side effects and provide better hand cleaning. Since hands are a primary source of spreading infections, especially in children and workers in the pharmaceutical industry, the use of hand wash is essential in such environments. The prepared hand wash was tested for various physical parameters such as color, smell, pH, viscosity, and stability, and it showed good results with effective hand-cleaning properties. This highlights the importance of using antiseptic hand washes to prevent infections. Additionally, the study focused on evaluating the antibacterial activity of different herbal oils, including cinnamon oil, eucalyptus oil, menthol oil, and lavender oil. Among these, cinnamon oil showed the best antibacterial effect. Based on these findings, a poly-herbal hand wash gel containing cinnamon oil was also formulated and evaluated.

Introduction

The text describes the development of a herbal hand wash based on traditional medicinal plants, emphasizing the importance of hand hygiene in preventing the spread of infections. Herbal medicine, long used in systems such as Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha, provides natural antimicrobial agents that can help protect the skin from harmful microorganisms. Since hands are a major route for disease transmission, an effective and natural hand wash can significantly reduce microbial load.

The study aims to formulate and evaluate a Tulsi-based herbal hand wash, combining traditional herbal knowledge with modern hygiene practices. The main objectives include promoting proper hand hygiene, eliminating disease-causing microorganisms, increasing awareness of infection transmission through hands, and reducing healthcare-associated infections.

Key herbal ingredients include Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) for its strong antimicrobial properties, Aloe vera for its soothing and healing effects on the skin, and Lemon (Citrus limon) for its antiseptic and preservative properties. Additional components such as glycerin, eucalyptus oil, reetha, and preservatives enhance moisturization, fragrance, foaming ability, and stability.

The formulation process involves preparing herbal extracts, blending them with natural foaming and moisturizing agents, and producing a uniform gel suitable for hand hygiene. The finished product is evaluated for physical characteristics, pH, stability, foam height, and foam retention. Results show that the herbal hand wash has an appropriate skin-friendly pH, good stability under varying temperatures, and satisfactory foaming properties.

Conclusion

Hands are the primary source of disease related to skin, respiration, gastro intestinal tract etc. due to various disease and germs, the bar soap get contaminated which may lead to spread of germs. In this sophisticated world liquid hand washes are used much more frequently then the bar soap, the additional Advantages is the soap in the liquid hand wash is untouched leading uncontaminated. Hand wash with every new pump.

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Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Swati Ramesh Lakade. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.