Development of natural dye based sindoor

Abstract

In India sindoor is an important cosmetic item for married women, worship and other purposes. Prolonged use of synthetic dye-based sindoors has shown symptoms of hair loss, graying of hair, edema, erythema and even skin cancer. In view of above scenario, a process technology has been developed to produce an alternative, safe, non-toxic, eco-friendly natural dye-based sindoor. The process is novel as pharmaceutical/food grade natural ingredients are used as bulking/filler materials and no salt of any heavy metals are used. The process provides an opportunity for the preparation of different shades of sindoor like orange, red, dark red, mehroon, etc., using different dyes and their blends. As per results of Double Blind Clinical testing, the red and mehroon coloured herbal sindoor is quite safe for skin application having no adverse effect on skin. The orange coloured herbal sindoor is quite suitable for worship and other purposes. It provides an option to replace synthetic dye-based sindoor.