Henna / (Lawsonia inermis): Hair color

Scientific Classification

• 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)

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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.

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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

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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

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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.