Lawsonia inermis

General information:

Henna is a tall shrub or small tree, standing 1.8 to 7.6 m (5 ft 11 in to 24 ft 11 in) tall. It is glabrous and multi-branched, with spine-tipped branchlets. The leaves grow opposite each other on the stem and are glabrous, sub-sessile, elliptical, and lanceolate (long and wider in the middle; average dimensions are 1.5–5.0 cm x 0.5–2 cm or 0.6–2 in x 0.2–0.8 in), acuminate (tapering to a long point), and have depressed veins on the dorsal surface. Henna flowers have four sepals and a 2 mm (0.079 in) calyx tube, with 3 mm (0.12 in) spread lobes. Its petals are obvate, with white or red stamens found in pairs on the rim of the calyx tube. The ovary is four-celled, 5 mm (0.20 in) long, and erect. Henna fruits are small, brownish capsules, 4–8 mm (0.16–0.31 in) in diameter, with 32–49 seeds per fruit, and open irregularly into four splits.

Constituents:

Main chemical components are lawsone, esculetin, fraxetin, isoplumbagin, scopoletin, betulin, betulinic acid, hennadiol, lupeol, lacoumarin, quinone and napthaquinone.

Benefits:

Tannins:

• It inhibits the growth of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
• It exhibits significant healing response against excision and incision wounds.
• It is absorbed into the stratum corneum (skin) immediately and protects skin from ultraviolet radiations.
• It is a weak direct acting haemolytic agent.

Curing Diseases :

• The flowers are intellect promoting and useful in cephalagia, burning sensation, insomnia and fever.
• Henna has active elements that help protect against many surface fungi and bacteria and has been used for its cooling and astringent properties.
• In hot climates, henna is used as protection against sun, to soothe sunburn and to reduce body temperature.
• Research Information : Ethanolic extract of Lawsonia inermis shows significant wound healing property. It reduces inflammations, enhanced wound contraction and skin breaking strength.
• Uses in hair care:
• Best natural cleanser, toner and hair conditioner.
• Gives volume, shine, strength and health to hair.
• Strengthens hair and prevents hair breakage.
• Stimulates hair growth.

Prevents hair loss.

• Makes your hair silky and smooth.
• Removes dandruff.
• Soothes the scalp.
• Prevents premature graying.
• Natural dye for hair, without the harmful effects of chemical dyes.