Now sindoor goes herbal!

Lucknow, May 30 (UNI) The Lucknow-based National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) has developed a 'herbal sindoor', which has been clinically validated to be safe, non-toxic and eco-friendly.

A patent has already been filed by the Intellectual Property Management Division (IPMD) of Council of Scientific&Industrial Research (CSIR) in this regard, while the product is ready for 'technology transfer' for commercial scale manufacturing.

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of synergistic herbal sindoor by blending natural dye with natural ingredients in specific proportions and conditions.

Since, a patent is still pending, Project Head and NBRI Emeritus Scientist V P Kapoor did not divulge the raw materials used in the herbal sindoor.

Talking to UNI here today, he said a majority of sindoor available in the market are produced from chemical dyes, synthetic materials, lead and mercury salts.

''Presently, all brands of sindoor are synthetic dye and mixed with low quality filler material. Lime and harmful salts of lead and mercury are used to provide fast and brilliant red shades,'' he informed.

Such sindoor have the proclivity to cause dermatitis, irritation, skin allergy, grey hair, pimples and even skin cancer in some cases.

''When absorbed, lead can harm virtually every organ in the human body, especially brain, kidney and reproductive systems. The prolonged use of these toxic substances can cause hair loss and edema.'' MORE UNI