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 color)

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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.