Henna Lawsonia inermis Family Lythraceae

<strong>Henna</strong><br />

<strong>Lawsonia</strong> <strong>inermis</strong><br />

<strong>Family</strong> <strong>Lythraceae</strong><br />

Ancient Medicine, Dye &<br />

Generally Useful Plant

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The Plant<br />

• Shrub native to India and North<br />

Africa<br />

• Tolerant to drought and poor soil<br />

• Simple opposite leaves<br />

• Small white-pinkish flowers<br />

• Gray-brown bark<br />

• Branches that end in spines<br />

• Spherical pea sized fruit<br />

• Pyramid shaped smooth seeds

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Compounds in <strong>Henna</strong><br />

• Lawsone<br />

– Main active compound<br />

– Properties similar to tannins<br />

– Responsible for red-orange<br />

dye and many medicinal properties<br />

– High concentration in leaves<br />

• Terpenoids, Alkaloids, Phenols, Glycosides,<br />

Saponins, and Gallic Acid are also present,<br />

but in smaller concentrations

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<strong>Henna</strong> as a Dye<br />

• Dye from lawsone in dried leaves<br />

• Temporarily dyes the skin, nails, and<br />

hair; commonly called Mehndi<br />

• Colors textiles<br />

• Used as a tanning agent for leather

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<strong>Henna</strong> Fragrance<br />

• Flowers are very fragrant<br />

• Used for perfume and deodorant<br />

• Essential oil is mainly ionones<br />

• White flowers tend to have more<br />

essential oil

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<strong>Henna</strong> in Traditional Medicine<br />

• Leaves - powdered, bruised, or brewed<br />

• Dried leaves tend to be more potent<br />

• Used as: anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial,<br />

antifungal, astringent, throat gargle, pain killer<br />

• Useful for: typhoid, hemorrhage, leprosy &<br />

other skin disease, gonorrhea, bruises,<br />

ulcers, burns

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<strong>Henna</strong> in Traditional Medicine<br />

• Bark: jaundice, liver enlargement, spleen<br />

enlargement, burns, leprosy and other skin<br />

disease<br />

• Roots: abortifacient<br />

• Flower: leprosy, heart problems<br />

• Seed: anti-diarrheal, fever reducer

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<strong>Henna</strong> in Modern Medicine<br />

Proven to be: antimicrobial,<br />

antifungal, anti-inflammatory,<br />

astringent, antioxidant,<br />

hepatoprotective, abortifacient<br />

Not yet approved for<br />

mainstream use<br />

There are still safety issues to<br />

be researched<br />

More research must be<br />

done to isolate the active<br />

compounds for various<br />

ailments and to test all<br />

the traditional uses<br />

Current<br />

research on<br />

it’s ability to<br />

treat skin<br />

problems

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Why does henna matter?<br />

• Important in many religions<br />

• Useful cosmetic<br />

• Good natural dye<br />

• Offers a natural medicine to many common<br />

ailments<br />

• ***Potential to safely fight antibiotic<br />

resistant bacteria****