Patent Application
20220249356
The invention relates to the technical field of cosmetics and is a natural shampoo formulated with extracted buchu leaf (Agathosma betulina), which has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties and also free of potentially harmful chemicals.
A61-Q5/02
The purpose was to formulate a natural shampoo with the inclusion of Buchu leaf, because the benefits of the buchu plant (Agathosma betulina) which has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. The Buchu plant is indigenous to South Africa and is grown in the remote, dry mountainous regions of the Western Cape. The leaves have round oil glands found scattered across the leaf, which release an aromatic golden oil. The oil is said to have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, that was perfect for this formulation and used along with Hyssop which is also an anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory and is used as a cleansing agent. These two base ingredients were exactly what I was searching for to implement into my natural shampoo.
Through my research I realized that shampoos are made with sulphates, parabens and other harmful chemicals along with chemical compounds that are unidentifiable to the lay person and that are in most common shampoos that cause dryness to the hair and scalp which leads to irritation, frizz and hair loss. Because of this I wanted to first target the scalp and it led me to why sulphates are used in shampoos to create a nice thick lather that gives us a false sense of cleanliness, but there are fall backs to using sulphates because it is a detergent that strips natural oils from your scalp, it can also cause your hair to be dry, brittle and your hair color to fade. Another potentially harmful chemical is parabens they are used in shampoos to prevent bacteria and as a preservative. But parabens can mimic the hormone estrogen and have been linked to increased growth of breast cancer cells, which makes them harmful. Discovering how these chemicals can be harmful I wanted to invent a shampoo that not only cleaned the hair and scalp without stripping the natural oils but was also safe from harmful chemicals. What I found is your scalp produces sebum from your sebaceous glands that are grouped around your follicles and if it isn't controlled properly you could end up with hyperactivity which causes flakiness that can lead to dandruff or more serious problems. The shampoo composition is comprised of natural surfactants that would remove sebum, dirt and skin debris from the hair and scalp without affecting the hair, scalp or health of the user. The primary surfactant Coco Betaine is included as an emulsifying agent to combine the oils and water-based ingredients. It is a medium-strength surfactant that comes from coconut oil and provides good foaming action, moisturizes and protects the hair and scalp. The secondary surfactant is called Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate (SLS). SLS is a natural anionic surfactant used in many natural hair care products to provide a foam for gentle cleansing and increase body, suppleness and sheen. The most important part was to provide a natural surfactant that won't damage the hair and scalp. The pH of the total composition formula was tested at a 5.5, which is ideal for a healthy scalp.
The following list of ingredients were all added to the composition due to the benefits of each individual ingredient, nevertheless not to exclude any other possibilities.
Grapeseed oil, because when it comes to hair health, some claim that grapeseed oil can help restore your hair's natural shine and vibrancy. Your scalp naturally produces sebum, an oily substance, which keeps your hair shiny and healthy. As you age, your scalp's sebum production slows down, leading to dry scalp and brittle hair. The grapeseed oil will moisturize your hair and stimulate hair growth.
Sunflower oil contains Vitamin E and is known to have benefits for hair health. They're both antioxidants and may help neutralize free radicals that can damage the hair and scalp. Sunflower oil also contains oleic acid, which can stop hair breakage and may make it seem like hair is growing faster (since the ends aren't breaking off). Derived from the seeds of the sunflower the oil is high in essential fatty acids like phospholipids and ceramides. Ceramides keep the hair cuticle flat, helping to smooth hair, enhance shine and allow hair to endure wear and tear over time. They promote elasticity and moisture retention, and aid in strengthening hair, as well as antioxidants and vitamin E, making it deeply nourishing and soothing to dry hair and scalp. It locks in moisture and helps keeps hair healthy and strong.
Lemon contains citric acid and can address the root of your hair problems by reducing oil and dandruff. This is especially true if you have a dry scalp or dandruff. The citric acid is also helpful due to its acidic properties to lower the pH of the formulation to promote a healthy scalp.
The sea salt or pink Himalayan salt is beneficial for hair growth. If you suffer from alopecia, or hair loss, it is recommended to use sea salt for natural stimulation of the growing of your hair. Salt opens up blocked pores on the scalp thus allowing proper hair growth. Salt helps loosen and dissolve existing product build-up and dandruff as well as stimulates circulation for a healthy scalp. Pink salt also absorbs excess oil and moisture to prevent dandruff in the future.
Aloe vera contains proteolytic enzymes which repairs dead skin cells on the scalp. It also acts as a great conditioner and leaves your hair smooth and shiny. It promotes hair growth, prevents itching on the scalp, reduces dandruff, conditions your hair and balances your pH.
Coconut oil promotes scalp health by fighting against such problems as dandruff. It moisturizes dry hair by adding luster, shine and softness to the hair and prevents hair breakage and split ends, contributing to hair length.
Xanthan Gum a thickening agent 100% natural ingredient intent was chosen because of its entirely natural composition and used as a natural preservative. Peoples demand for a natural shampoo with a higher viscosity led me to include xanthan gum.
Biotin supplements have also been linked to hair growth since it assists in the production of keratin, the protein our hair is made of. Biotin promotes hair tensile strength; it is a non-toxic vitamin that has been reported safe and well-tolerated by the FDA. Especially when used on the scalp, a biotin shampoo can help increase your body's levels of biotin, without having to take an oral supplement, and encourage healthy hair growth. Additional benefits are fuller healthier looking hair.
Natural preservatives such as, Leucidal SF Complete uses a combination of peptide technology with fermented radish root to deliver moisturizing and conditioning benefits as well as providing broad-spectrum activity to protect against bacteria, yeast, and mold in one product.
Distilled water is used as a vehicle for the beneficial oils extracted from the buchu and hyssop plant, that when steeped creates an oil mixed with water from the plants to use as a base for the natural shampoo.
The essential oils that are added to the composition is not only for scent but for added nutrients. The rosemary oil stimulates hair growth, preventing or slow progression of premature graying, dandruff and itchy scalp. Teatree Oil-benefits are the same as rosemary but also help to balance your scalps pH. Lemongrass promotes contraction of hair follicles, thereby preventing hair shedding with regular use. Peppermint Oil increases the number of hair follicles, follicle depth, and overall hair growth. These essential oils are beneficial to the shampoo formulation because of the nutrients they themselves add to your hair and scalp.
There is a need for improvement of prior art and a method of making a natural shampoo that uses plant and herb extract with ingredients that are easily identified by the common man. The composition of said ingredients are seemingly different from prior art listed, as it doesn't contain harmful chemicals, to name a couple, sulphates and parabens. I want to contrive a change and an improvement hereby incorporating the Buchu and Hyssop plant extracts along with ingredients that are safe and not harmful; and to create a natural shampoo that truly works at cleansing the scalp without stripping your natural oils, thus leaving you with healthy shiny hair. The pH of the total composition formula was tested at a 5.5, which is ideal for a healthy scalp.
