Review on Herbal Antifungal Cream

Fungal infections, or mycoses, represent a significant and growing public health challenge worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Factors such as poor hygiene, compromised immunity, environmental exposure, and the indiscriminate use of antibiotics have contributed to the increasing incidence of superficial and systemic fungal infections. Although conventional antifungal creams remain the standard line of treatment, their frequent usage is often associated with adverse effects, higher costs, and the emergence of drug-resistant fungal strains. As a result, there is a growing interest in herbal antifungal therapies that offer natural, cost-effective, and safer alternatives. Herbal antifungal creams utilize plant-based compounds known for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and skin-soothing properties. Medicinal plants like Azadirachta indica (Neem), Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), and Curcuma longa (Turmeric) have demonstrated promising antifungal efficacy in both in vitro and in vivo studies. These herbs contain bioactive constituents such as nimbin, eugenol, and curcumin that exhibit fungistatic and fungicidal activity against a range of dermatophytes and yeast-like fungi. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the classification and constituents of antifungal creams, elaborates on the pharmacological mechanisms of herbal agents, and compares the efficacy and safety profiles of herbal versus synthetic formulations. The formulation challenges, clinical findings, and potential for future development of herbal antifungal creams are also discussed. Overall, the review supports the growing relevance of herbal antifungal formulations as a viable and effective approach to dermatological therapy.