Therapeutic Categorization and Physicochemical Profiling of Proprietary Ayurvedic Herbal Lehyams and Gels Marketed in India

Abstract

Ayurvedic Lehyams and gels are widely marketed in India for therapeutic and cosmetic applications; however, the absence of defined physicochemical reference ranges for many proprietary formulations limit’s objective quality assessment and regulatory comparability. This study evaluates the physicochemical characteristics of commercially available Ayurvedic Lehyam and gel formulations based on data generated during routine quality‑control testing. Twelve Lehyam formulations and fourteen gel formulations were analyzed using established wet chemical and instrumental methods. Parameters evaluated included loss on drying (LOD), total solids, fat content, pH, ash values, water‑soluble matter (WSM), alcohol‑soluble matter (ASM), and acid‑insoluble ash. Descriptive statistical analysis and box‑plot visualization were used to characterize central tendency, dispersion, and outliers. Lehyams exhibited wide variability in LOD (2.21–62.54%; median 11.74%, mean 14.96%, SD 15.47) and total solids (4.96–35.00%; median 12.56%, mean 14.92%, SD 8.82). Fat content ranged from 0.22 to 15.07% (median 1.20%, mean 3.03%, SD 4.42), with higher values corresponding to lipid-enriched formulations. Gel formulations showed substantial variation in pH (3.08–8.28; median 4.97, mean 5.19, SD 1.29). Ash values were generally low (0.10–0.57%) except for one aloe‑based gel (36.40%). WSM ranged from 0.04 to 36.40% (median 3.42%, mean 7.48%), while ASM ranged from 3.24 to 20.20% (median 6.82%, mean 9.31%). Acid‑insoluble ash was below detection limits in all samples. Although these values cannot be considered pharmacopoeial specifications, the derived analytical ranges provide indicative reference windows to support routine quality control, regulatory oversight, and future standardization of proprietary Ayurvedic Lehyams and gels.