Abstract

Pratima P. Kamble*, Swapnaja M. Deshpande

ABSTRACT

Mosquito-borne diseases continue to pose a serious public health challenge, thereby demanding safer, eco-friendly, and sustainable alternatives to synthetic repellents. Chemical mosquito repellents, although effective, are associated with adverse effects such as skin irritation, respiratory discomfort, environmental toxicity, and insect resistance. In the present study, an herbal dhoop formulation was developed using a potent blend of traditionally recognized mosquito-repellent botanicals including Azadirachta indica (neem) leaves, Vitex negundo (nirgudi) leaves, Tagetes erecta (marigold) flower petals, Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium (chrysanthemum) leaves, Ocimum sanctum (holy basil) leaves, Citrus peel powder, Eucalyptus oil, and cow dung powder as a natural stabilizing and synergistic bio-medium. The plant materials were processed through drying and grinding, followed by formulation into a typical herbal dhoop preparation. The prepared three formulations were evaluated for mosquito-repellent efficacy, longevity of protection, safety, and user acceptability through laboratory as well as preliminary field-level trials. The herbal dhoop exhibited significant and prolonged repellent activity, effectively deterring mosquito landing and biting behavior, and demonstrated protection levels comparable to standard synthetic repellents without causing irritation or discomfort. Additionally, the formulation was found to possess a pleasant herbal aroma, smooth application, and high user acceptance. The synergistic action of neem, nirgudi, eucalyptus oil, and chrysanthemum contributed to strong repellent properties, while citrus peel and holy basil provided aromatic and antimicrobial enhancement. Overall, this study scientifically validates the traditional knowledge of mosquito-repellent plants and establishes the herbal dhoop as a safe, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable biobased alternative for mosquito management. These findings support the potential application of botanical formulations in green vector-control strategies and natural public-health protection.