Cucumis sativus L. pharmaceutical extractive forms

Abstract

Introduction: Since ancient times, men and women have always had a desire for a better appeareance and beauty, a wish that is still genuine and nowadays. Throughout the years, recipes, dishes and cosmetics, that were more or less available for this purpose, have been used. One of the widely cultivated plant, with many important benefits for health and skin tone improvement is Cucumis sativus L.

Materials and methods: The study is based on botany, macroscopic, microscopic and histochemical exam of the product; obtaining the extracting aqueous and alcoholic solutions by various extraction techniques, provided in the specialty literature (infusion, decoction and soak); the use of extracting aqueous and alcoholic solutions to obtain cosmetic lotions depending on the type of skin tone; determine the point of saturation of the vegetal product.

Discussion results: Based on the extracting aqueous and alcoholic solutions, cosmetic lotions for every type of skin tone were obtained also, there were determined the organoleptic characteristics and their pH. It has been found that the aqueous solutions lost their stability, crossing from a slightly acid pH (pH=5.5) to acid pH (pH=3-3.5). Cosmetic lotions which were based on extracted alcoholic solutions have kept both their organoleptic characteristics and pH value during the whole period of study (30 days).

Conclusion: Cucumis sativus L. is recommended to be used in obtaining cosmetic emulsions, given the fact that it shows good results.