Bhringraj Eclipta prostrata
Known in Ayurveda as kesharaja, the 'king of the hair', bhringraj is the classic herb of traditional Indian hair oils.
Ingredient Glossary
Our Ingredients
Viha Organics is a Pollachi-based skincare and haircare brand built on traditional South Indian and Ayurvedic botanicals. This page documents the ingredients that actually appear in our formulations, from herbs such as bhringraj, amla, neem and tulsi to butters, cold-pressed oils and modern actives like hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid.
Each entry explains what the ingredient is, gives its botanical name where relevant, and links to the Viha Organics products that contain it. The glossary is grouped into hair care, radiance, clarifying, hydration and traditional ritual botanicals.
Hair & Scalp Botanicals
The classical herbs behind our hair oils, shampoos and scalp care - the botanicals at the heart of traditional South Indian hair routines.
Amla Phyllanthus emblica (Indian gooseberry)
The Indian gooseberry - a tart, vitamin-C-rich fruit used for centuries in Ayurvedic hair and skin preparations.
Hibiscus Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Fresh hibiscus petals are a traditional hair-wash ingredient, valued for the soft, conditioning feel they leave behind.
Fenugreek Trigonella foenum-graecum (methi)
A protein-rich seed used in traditional hair packs and scalp care for the slippery, conditioning soak it gives.
Rosemary Salvia rosmarinus
A steam-distilled hydrosol and botanical used in modern scalp care for its fresh, tingling character.
Brahmi Bacopa monnieri
A classical Ayurvedic herb used in traditional hair oils and scalp preparations.
Onion Extract Allium cepa (onion) bulb extract
The extract of the onion bulb, a long-standing ingredient in South Indian hair oils and scalp packs.
Used in
Curry Leaves Murraya koenigii
Aromatic curry leaves are a traditional South Indian hair-care ingredient, used in oils and hair washes.
Used in
Shikakai Acacia concinna
'Fruit for the hair' - a gentle, naturally foaming pod used to wash hair in traditional Indian practice.
Reetha Sapindus mukorossi (soapnut)
Soapnuts - a traditional plant source of soft, natural lather, used alongside shikakai as a hair cleanser.
Used in
Paalathalai Wrightia tinctoria
A South Indian botanical used traditionally in scalp and hair preparations.
Used in
Radiance & Even Tone
The botanicals of traditional brightening preparations, from Kumkumadi-style saffron and sandalwood to turmeric, manjistha and licorice.
Kashmiri Saffron Crocus sativus
Prized saffron threads - the signature botanical of traditional Kumkumadi preparations.
Used in
Red Sandalwood Pterocarpus santalinus (raktachandan)
A deep-red heartwood used in traditional brightening pastes and Kumkumadi-style oils.
Sandalwood Santalum album (chandan)
A cooling, aromatic wood used in traditional Indian skincare and bathing rituals.
Lotus Stamen Nelumbo nucifera
The stamen of the lotus, a classical Ayurvedic botanical used in skin preparations.
Used in
Manjistha Rubia cordifolia
A well-known Ayurvedic root, traditionally used in preparations for an even-looking complexion.
Licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra (yashtimadhu)
A sweet root used in traditional brightening formulations for the complexion.
Turmeric Curcuma longa
The golden root of Indian cooking and ritual, used in traditional ubtan and skincare.
Used in
Wild Turmeric Curcuma aromatica (kasturi manjal)
The fragrant, non-staining 'wild' turmeric traditionally used in South Indian face packs.
Used in
White Turmeric Curcuma zedoaria
A paler relative of turmeric used in traditional South Indian bathing and skin preparations.
Used in
Nalpamaradi Bark
The bark blend behind Nalpamaradi, a classical South Indian preparation named after the nalpamara tree.
Red Wine Vitis vinifera
Grape-derived red wine extract, used in modern skincare for its brightening, antioxidant character.
Vitamin C Ascorbic acid
A brightening antioxidant, commonly derived from citrus and other plant sources; it is the active behind our Vitamin C Serum.
Used in
Clarifying & Purifying
Purifying leaves, bark and proven modern actives - the botanicals behind our acne and clarifying range.
Neem Azadirachta indica
The bitter, cleansing leaf of the neem tree - a cornerstone of traditional Indian skin and hair care.
Kuppaimani Acalypha indica
A South Indian herb used traditionally in cleansing soaps and skin preparations.
Used in
Tulsi Ocimum tenuiflorum (holy basil)
Holy basil - the sacred basil of India, used traditionally in purifying skin preparations.
Tea Tree Melaleuca alternifolia
An Australian essential oil used in modern skincare for its fresh, clarifying character.
Salicylic Acid
A well-known beta-hydroxy acid derived from willow bark, used in clarifying skincare.
Willow Bark Salix alba
The natural source of salicin, the compound from which salicylic acid is derived.
Witch Hazel Hamamelis virginiana
An astringent plant extract used in modern toners and cleansers.
Used in
Green Tea Camellia sinensis
An antioxidant-rich leaf extract used widely in modern skincare.
Hydration & Barrier Care
The oils, butters, humectants and soothing extracts that give our creams, gels and body care their rich, nourishing feel.
Aloe Vera Aloe barbadensis
The cooling gel of the aloe leaf, one of the most widely used soothing botanicals in the world.
Hyaluronic Acid
A humectant naturally present in skin, used in modern skincare for a plump, hydrated feel.
Glycerin
A plant-derived humectant that draws water into a formulation.
Gotu Kola Centella asiatica
A traditional Ayurvedic herb, also known as centella, used in body and skin creams.
Shea Butter Butyrospermum parkii
A rich, nut-derived butter from West Africa, valued for its protective, sealing feel.
Cocoa Butter Theobroma cacao
A firm, chocolate-scented butter used to seal in moisture.
Beeswax
A natural wax that gives balms and creams their protective, sealing texture.
Sweet Almond Oil Prunus amygdalus dulcis
A light, vitamin-E-rich carrier oil used in massage and skin care.
Used in
Coconut Oil Cocos nucifera
Cold-pressed coconut oil - the traditional South Indian base for hair oil, handmade soap and skin care.
Castor Oil Ricinus communis
A thick, glossy oil traditionally used in hair oils and masks.
Peppermint Oil Mentha piperita
A cooling essential oil used in body and foot care for its fresh tingle.
Natural Vitamin E Tocopherol
A natural antioxidant used to help protect the oils in a formulation.
Cucumber Extract Cucumis sativus
A cooling, water-rich extract used in modern eye and skin care.
Chamomile Matricaria chamomilla
A gentle, floral botanical used in calming skincare.
Used in
Florals, Earth & Ritual
The ritual side of the range - bathing florals, earth powders and the traditional South Indian blends behind our handmade soaps.
Rose Water Rosa damascena
Distilled rose water - a classic floral hydrosol used in Indian beauty rituals.
Used in
Rose Petals Rosa
Fresh rose petals, used traditionally in bath and soap preparations.
Rose Extract Rosa
A rose-derived extract used in floral soaps for its soft, soothing character.
Used in
Vetiver Chrysopogon zizanioides (khus)
The roots of vetiver - a cooling, earthy aromatic used in traditional Indian bath and skin care.
Used in
Babchi Psoralea corylifolia
A traditional Ayurvedic seed, and the botanical source of bakuchiol.
Used in
Aavaram Poo Cassia auriculata
The golden flowers of the Avaram senna - a traditional South Indian bathing herb.
Used in
Nalangu Mavu Traditional 12-herb blend
The traditional South Indian 'bath powder' of twelve herbs, used in wedding and bathing rituals.
Used in
Roasted Coffee Beans Coffea arabica
Finely ground roasted coffee, used in modern body scrubs for its grainy, awakening character.
Used in
Raw Cocoa Theobroma cacao
Unsweetened cocoa powder, used in modern scrubs and masks.
Used in
Rice Starch Oryza sativa
Finely milled rice - a traditional South Indian beauty staple used in powders and scrubs.
Barium Sulfate
A mineral powder used in traditional hair-removal pastes for its smooth, silky slip.
Calcium Carbonate
A mineral powder used alongside barium sulfate in traditional herbal hair-removal pastes.
Ingredient FAQ
Quick answers about the botanicals and actives used across the Viha Organics range.
What ingredients do Viha Organics products use?
Our range is built around traditional Ayurvedic botanicals and a small number of proven modern actives. Across our formulations you will find herbs such as bhringraj, amla, hibiscus, neem, tulsi, turmeric, saffron and manjistha, alongside shea butter, cocoa butter, aloe vera, hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid. Every ingredient on this page appears in at least one Viha Organics product.
Where can I find the ingredient list for a specific product?
Every product page has a Key Ingredients tab listing the main botanicals and actives in that formulation. If you need the complete ingredient list for a particular product, contact our team and we will share it with you.
What is the difference between turmeric, wild turmeric and white turmeric?
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is the golden root used in cooking, ubtan and traditional skincare. Wild turmeric (Curcuma aromatica), known as kasturi manjal, is the fragrant, non-staining variety traditionally used in South Indian face packs. White turmeric (Curcuma zedoaria) is a paler relative used in traditional bathing and skin preparations.
Which Viha Organics products contain saffron?
Kashmiri saffron is the signature botanical of our Kumkumadi-inspired range. It appears in the Kumkumathi Serum 30 ml, the Saffron Kumkumadi Royal Radiance Combo and the Viha Maha Grand Luxury Hamper.
Which ingredients does Viha Organics use for hair care?
Our hair-care range draws on bhringraj, amla, hibiscus, fenugreek, rosemary, brahmi, curry leaves, shikakai, reetha and paalathalai, carried in cold-pressed coconut and castor oils. You will find them in the Herbal Hair Growth Oil, the Rosemary Hair Spray, the Intensive Hair Growth 3-Step Routine, our herbal shampoos and the Scalp Care & Anti-Dandruff Relief Duo.
Is coconut oil used in Viha Organics products?
Yes. Coconut oil is one of the most widely used ingredients across our range. It appears in our hair oils and shampoos, and saponified coconut oil is the base of our handmade soaps and bathing bars.
What is nalangu mavu?
Nalangu mavu is a traditional South Indian bath powder made from a blend of twelve herbs. It is used in wedding and bathing rituals, and it is the base of our Nalangu Mavu Soap.
Do Viha Organics products avoid harsh synthetic chemicals?
Our formulations rely on plant-based ingredients and gentle, well-studied actives rather than the harsh synthetic chemicals often associated with ordinary skincare. Every product page lists its key ingredients, so you can see exactly what has gone into it.
Explore the range
See these botanicals in context - every product page lists its own key ingredients, usage and benefits.
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