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Lawsonia inermis L. (Lythraceae)

(Syn.: L. speciosa L.)

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Handbook of 200 Medicinal Plants

Abstract

The plant is native to India, North Africa, Arabian Peninsula and East Africa, but has pantropical distribution. Use of henna for medicinal and cosmetic purposes is linked to ancient and modern cultures of North Africa and Asia. Historically it was applied to hands and feet to protect against fungal pathogens, and to hair to combat lice and dandruff, but also traditionally used for the treatment of liver and digestive disorders, to reduce tissue loss in leprosy, diabetic foot disorders and ulcers. Henna is best known as a dye for dyeing nails, palm of the hands and the sole of the feet in Asia, Africa, Arab and many other countries. Siddha physicians prepare a specific thailam (oil) for grey hair. Leaves are described as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic and blood purifier in Unani system of medicine. Application of its oil with olive oil and coal-tar to a bald person’s head is claimed to grow hair; also applied to feet to allay the sensation of burning of feet. It is also reported as one of the most widely used hepatoprotective plant species for traditional treatment of jaundice in India. It contains quinones, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic compounds and fatty acids. Henna extracts and constituents exhibit numerous biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anticancer activities. Application of henna in patients with hand-foot syndrome (HFS) due to capecitabine chemotherapy produced complete response in four out of six of Grade 3 HFS and all of Grade 2, eliminating the need to reduce capecitabine dose.

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    Shahid Akbar

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Akbar, S. (2020). Lawsonia inermis L. (Lythraceae). In: Handbook of 200 Medicinal Plants. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-16807-0_117

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