- Scientific Name: Lawsonia inermis
- Family: Lythraceae
- English Name: Henna
Common Names in Different Languages
- Sanskrit: मन्धन्तिका (Madyantika)
- Hindi: मेहंदी (Mehndi)
- Gujarati: મેધી (Medhi)
- Marathi: मेन्दी (Mendi)
- Punjabi: ਗੋਰਟਾ (Gorata)
- Tamil: குருஞ்சி (Kuranji), விடை (Vidai)
- Arabic: حناء (Heena), الحناء (Alheena)
Introduction
Henna is a widely used plant known for its dyeing properties. Its leaves are dried and ground into a fine powder, commonly used for hair and body decoration. Henna is also valued for its medicinal properties and is cultivated as an ornamental and boundary plant.
External Appearance
- Type: Evergreen shrub
- Leaves: Oblong, lanceolate, or oval, about ¾-½ inch long, resembling senna leaves.
- Flowers: Small, fragrant, white, arranged in pyramid-like clusters.
- Fruits: Spherical, pea-sized with crescent-shaped seeds.
- Flowering Season: October-November
Chemical Composition
Main Pigments: Lawsone (a tannin responsible for dyeing effect)Other Components:
- Gallic acid
- Glucose
- Mannitol
- Mucilage
- Alkaloids
- Aromatic essential oil (dark brown in colour)
Properties
Henna has various medicinal properties:
- Kapha and Pitta Dosha Balancer
- Antipyretic (Fever-relieving)
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antiseptic
- Pain Reliever
- Wound Healing
- Cooling Effect
Medicinal Uses
1. Headache & Migraine Relief
For Heat-Induced Headache:Boil 25g henna leaves in 50g oil and apply to the scalp.
Drink a decoction made from 10g henna flowers in 100g water.For Migraine:
- Grind 8-10 henna flowers with vinegar and apply to the forehead.
- Applying this mixture to rashes also reduces pain.
For Persistent Headaches:
- Mix 1.5g henna flower paste with 7g honey and drink for a few days.
2. Brain & Nervous System Health
For Brain Disorders:
- Lick 3g henna seeds mixed with honey or drink henna flower decoction.
- Follow up with wheat bread for better absorption.
For Dizziness:
- Drink 10g henna leaves soaked in 200g water overnight, strained in the morning.
- For Insomnia:
- Place dried henna flowers inside a pillow to induce sleep.
3. Oral Health
For Mouth Ulcers:
- Gargle with henna leaf decoction prepared by soaking 10g leaves in 200g water.
4. Skin & Beauty Care
For Skin Glow:
- Mix equal parts of harad powder, neem leaves, mango bark, dahlia flower buds, and henna. Apply as a face mask.
5. Kidney Stones
Dissolving Kidney Stones:
- Boil 10g henna bark in an earthen pot overnight and drink in the morning.
- Soak 30g henna leaves and bark in water overnight and drink in the morning.
- Combine 2g Vaktara (Ji ka Bar) powder with honey and consume.
6. Heart Pain & Chest Issues
For Heartache:
- Mix 5g cow ghee with 1g henna leaf juice and lick.
7. Digestive Disorders
For Stomachache:- Grind 10g bael leaf, 7 black peppers, and 10g sugar candy, make syrup, and drink 3 times a day.
- Prepare a decoction from bael root, castor root, chitrak root, and dry ginger, adding roasted asafoetida and 1g rock salt.
- Apply a paste of these ingredients on the abdomen for quick relief.
For Indigestion, Acidity & Burning Sensation:
- Soak 20g bael leaves in 500g water for 3 hours, and drink 20g every 2 hours.
- If there is a burning sensation in the chest, grind the leaves with water, strain, and mix with sugar candy before drinking.
- Mix 1g each of black pepper and rock salt in 10g henna leaf juice and drink 3 times a day.
Tags
Plants