Thakur Lodhi Madhu, Sharma Priyanka
Department of Pharmacy, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Abstract
Herbal unguents are traditional semisolid topical preparations that have recently gained interest in both science and commercial. They provide sustained skin hydration along with therapeutic benefits. Unguents that lock in moisture work by forming a layer on the skin's surface. This reduces water loss through the skin and improves the skin's barrier function. Adding medicinal plants increases their value by introducing bioactive compounds with protective, soothing, and supportive effects on the skin. Blumea balsamifera (Sambong) is one such plant, renowned for its rich phytochemical profile and traditional use in skincare. This review looks at herbal unguents with moisture-lock properties. It emphasizes formulation aspects, hydration mechanisms, and the role of herbal ingredients in improving effectiveness and safety. It discusses various unguent bases, preparation methods, and in vitro evaluation criteria, such as spreadability, viscosity, occlusivity, diffusion, and stability. These points highlight quality assessment strategies. The review also addresses key challenges related to safety, standardization, and consistency between batches. It suggests ways to tackle these issues through proper authentication, controlled processing, and systematic evaluation. Overall, herbal unguents offer a promising and user-friendly topical option that links traditional herbal knowledge with modern pharmaceutical practices. With the right scientific backing and quality control, they can serve as effective, safe, and natural alternatives to synthetic moisturizing products.
Keywords: Herbal unguent; Moisture lock property; Skin hydration; Occlusive topical formulation; Blumea balsamifera; Herbal semisolid dosage form; Trans epidermal water loss
Journal Name :
EPRA International Journal of Research & Development (IJRD)

VIEW PDF
Published on : 2026-02-06

Vol : 11
Issue : 2
Month : February
Year : 2026
Copyright © 2026 EPRA JOURNALS. All rights reserved
Developed by Peace Soft