Medicinal value of Henna
Henna or mehndi is an old and traditional plant of India, which is commonly known for its traditional values. In India it is widely used for decorating the hands and legs in different ceremonies mainly in marriage rituals for decorating the bride. It is also a cosmetic dye for hair. Moreover, it is also applied in the skin and the nails as a dye mixed with lemon juice and hot water in order to decorate them. The decoration of a bride in India is thought to be incomplete without henna and it has great ritual importance. Apart from that, the plant has great medicinal values and is used for traditional treatment of various ailments.
Botanical Name: Lawsonia inermis
Common names: Mehndi, Henna and Mignonette.
Henna is a tall shrub native to the tropical and sub tropical of regions of Africa. The plant is predominant in the tropical savannah and tropical arid zone. In India is cultivated in Rajasthan, Gujrat, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab.Around the world it is cultivated Indian subcontinent, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Egypt. Leaves, bark and seeds ate used for medicinal purpose.
The leaves of henna contain an active ingredient Lawsone that is responsible for the dyeing properties of the plant. Moreover, it contains chemicals like mannitol, tannic acid, mucilage, flavanoid, terpenoid, steroid, cardiac, glycosidegallic acid and andnapthaquinone that enables the plant with astringent, antibacterial, antifungal, cosmetic, coagulant, anti-hemorrhagic, anti-neoplastic, cardio-inhibitory, hypotensive, and sedative properties. Thus, the plant exhibits several medicinal properties and hence used for the treatment of various ailments.
Henna is one of the most common traditional plants, which has been utilized by the mankind for the treatment of various ailments from the ancient times. Most common medicinal uses of henna are: