LAWSONIA INERMIS

Plant Name: LAWSONIA INERMIS

English Name: Mignonette tree

Local Name: Henna, Mehendi, Lawsonia alba, Lawsonia rubra

Family: Lythraceae, (Lawsonia inermis L.)

Uses:
The leaves of henna have been used as a hair, nail, and skin dye. In the West and the Middle East, henna is used in hair shampoos, dyes, conditioners, and rinses. Henna dye products are mixed with indigo or other plant material to obtain a greater color range. Extracts of henna are also used to stain wood and to dye fabrics and textiles.As a medicinal plant, henna has been used for astringent, antihemorrhagic, intestinal antineoplastic, cardio-inhibitory, hypotensive, and sedative effects. It has also been used as a folk remedy against amoebiasis, headache, jaundice, and leprosy. Henna extracts show antibacterial, antifungal, and ultraviolet light screening activity. Henna has exhibited antifertility activity in animals and may induce menstruation.
The dried leaf and petiole of henna are generally recognized as safe when used as a color additive for hair.