The Herbal Barrier: - Formulation and Evaluation of Lemongrass Based Herbal Mosquito Repellant Cream.

Mosquito-borne diseases continue to pose a significant public health challenge worldwide, increasing the demand for safe, effective, and environmentally friendly mosquito repellents. The present study aimed to formulate and evaluate a herbal mosquito repellent cream containing extracts of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), neem (Azadirachta indica), tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), and clove (Syzygium aromaticum), which are well known for their insect-repellent and antimicrobial properties. The herbal extracts were incorporated into a cream base using the emulsification method to obtain a stable topical formulation. The prepared cream was evaluated for its organoleptic characteristics, pH, homogeneity, spreadability, viscosity, washability, irritancy, stability, and mosquito repellent activity. The formulation exhibited acceptable physicochemical properties, good stability, and was non-irritant to the skin. The mosquito repellent evaluation demonstrated satisfactory protection against mosquito bites for a considerable duration, indicating the synergistic effect of the selected herbal ingredients. The findings suggest that the developed herbal mosquito repellent cream is a promising natural alternative to synthetic chemical repellents, offering effective protection with improved safety and better skin compatibility. Further studies involving large-scale stability testing and clinical evaluation are recommended to establish its long-term efficacy and commercial potential. Keywords: Herbal mosquito repellent cream, Lemongrass, Neem, Tulsi, Clove, Herbal formulation, Topical cream, Natural insect repellent.