Henna/Mhendi - Health benefits, application, chemical constituents, side effects and many more

 Henna/Mhendi

Henna(Lawsonia inermis) is Queen of Cosmatics especially in case of Hair Care Products. It has been used in herbal medicine for ages. All parts of this plant (root, stem, leaf, flower pod and seeds) are of great medicinal importance. The henna plant is a glabrous, much branched shrub or quite a small tree with grayish-brown bark. Leaves are opposite, sub-sessile, elliptic, or broadly lanceolate, entire, acute or obtuse, 2 to 3 cm long and 1 to 2 cm wide. 

It shows analgesic, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, immunostimulant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, antitrypanosomal, antidermatophytic, antioxidant, antifertility, tuberculostatic, and anticancer properties.

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Lawsonia inermis is also known as Henna, Mhendi, Shudi, Madurang, Mendi, Manghati, Madayantika, and Goranti

Phytochemical constituents

Henna, produces a burgundy dye molecule, lawsone. This molecule has an affinity for bonding with protein, and thus has been used to dye skin, hair, fingernails, leather, silk and wool. The dye molecule, lawsone, is primarily concentrated in the leaves.

Its core chemical components are 2-hydroxynapthoquinone (lawsone), mannite, tannic acid, mucilage and gallic acid. Out of these ingredients, the main one is 2-hydroxynapthoquinone (lawsone). About 0.5-1.5% of henna is made of lawsone.  

Almost 70 phenolic compounds have been isolated from various parts of the plant. Naphthaquinones, which include the dyeing principle lawsone, have been linked to many of the pharmacological activities. The terpene, β-ionone is largely responsible for the pungent odour of the essential oil isolated from the flowers. In addition to other volatile terpenes, some non-volatile terpenoids, a single sterol, two alkaloids and two dioxin derivatives have also been isolated from the plant.

Lawsonia inermis leaves against bacterial cultures isolated from various skin diseases were investigated and compared with Tetracycline, Ampicillin, Gentamicin and Ciprofloxacin antibiotics.  shows Alcoholic and oily extracts were more effective than the water extract 

Besides lawsone other constituents present are gallic acid, glucose, mannitol, fats, resin (2 %), mucilage and traces of an alkaloid. Leaves yield hennatannic acid and an olive oil green resin, soluble in ether and alcohol. Flowers yield anessential oil (0.01-0.02 %) with brown or dark brown colour, strong fragrance and consist mainly of α- and β- ionones; a nitrogenous compound and resin. Seeds contain proteins (5.0 %), carbohydrates (33.62 %), fibers (33.5 %), fatty oils (10- 11 %) composed of behenic acid, arachidic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid. The unsaponified matter contains waxes and colouring matter. The root contains a red colouring matter. 

Properties and Benefits

• Rasa(Taste) – Tikta(Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent)
• Guna(Qualities) – Laghu(Light to digest), Ruksha(Dry)
• Taste conversation after Digestion- Katu(Pungent)
• Veerya(Potency) – Sheetala(Cold)
• Effect on Tridosha – Reduces increased Kapha and Pitta dosha
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• Kandughna – Reduces itching sensation
• Indicated/Used in 
• Kushta – skin diseases
• Jwara – fever
• Kandu – itching, pruritis
• Daha –  burning sensation such as in gastritis, neuropathy, burning sensation in eyes etc
• Raktapitta –Bleeding disorders (nasal bleeding, heavy periods, etc)
• Kamala – Jaundice, Liver diseases
• Raktatisara – Ulcerative colitis
• Hrudroga – Cardiac disorders
• Mutrakruchra – Dysuria
• Bhrama – Delusion, Dizziness
• Vrana – Ulcers, wounds

Uses, Remedies, Benefits and Application

1) Henna is not only a Hair colouring agent but also Strengthens the Hair, Hair tonic, reduces the damage along with antifungal, antidandruff, antibacterial properties.

2) The leaf paste of Henna is applied over the certain area to get relief from headache, burning sensation of the extremities and pain in the joints of the body. 

3) Seeds are deodorant. Powered seeds with real ghee (clarified butter) are effective against dysentery. 

4) The paste of mehendi plant is applied to get relief from localized swelling, tenderness and pain. 

5) Gargling is done using the decoction made from the leaves of Heena to get relief from pain in the throat and oral cavity. 

6) Fist full of each of Henna and Phyllanthus indica are taken and pounded with 10 grams of cumin seeds. This helps to mask the peculiar smell. Fresh juice is extracted and filtered. This, in a dose of 1 - 15 ml, is administered along with sweet buttermilk in the morning, on empty stomach. This remedy acts as a carminative, digestive and cholagogue. It relieves jaundice. 

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7) Cold infusion of the fruits of the plant Henna is given in a dose of 50- 60 ml in divided dose to treat insomnia. 

8) Body art(Mehendi making) : Dry powder is mixed with water, lemon juice, strong tea, and other ingredients, depending on the tradition. Many artists use sugar or molasses in the paste to improve consistency to keep it stuck to the skin better. The henna mix must rest between one and 48 hours before use in order to release the lawsone from the leaf matter. The timing depends on the crop of henna being used. Essential oils with high levels of monoterpene alcohols, such as tea tree, cajuput, or lavender, will improve skin stain characteristics.

             - Henna will not stain skin until the lawsone molecules are made available (released) from the henna leaves. However, dried henna leaves will stain the skin if they are mashed into a paste. The lawsone will gradually migrate from the henna paste into the outer layer of the skin and bind to the proteins in it, creating a stain. It  produce colorfast orange, red, and brown.

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9) The decoction of the flower of mehendi plant is given in a dose of 40-50 ml in divided dose as a memory booster in persons suffering with low IQ.

10) The powder or paste of Henna seeds is given to treat diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome. 

11) Equal amount of Triphala and henna are taken and fine powder is made.This is administered orally in a dose of 3-5 grams, once or twice a day. This helps to gain lustrous silky hair and bright eyes. Itchy scalp, split hairs and reduce skin problems.

12) The decoction of its leaves is given in a dose of 40-50 ml to treat various skin diseases. 

13) The fresh juice of the leaves is mixed with sugar candy(Mishri/Jaggery) and given in a dose of 10-15 ml to treat burning micturition and pus mixed urine. 

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14) Mehendi/Henna is beneficial for hair as it acts as a natural dye for hair, promotes hair growth, conditions the hair and provides shine to the hair. Along with the hair it is also applied on the skin to help manage skin conditions like itching, allergies, skin rashes and wounds due to its antimicrobial, antioxidant, healing and anti-inflammatory properties.

15) 6 - 10 gram of henna leaves and same quantity of raisins are taken to make fine paste. This is administered during at night, after food in a dose of 10 – 20 grams. This helps relieve constipation and to relieve distention of adbomen. In burping and gurgling, half a teaspoonful of fennel and cumin seeds are added to this and taken at night. For healthy hair.

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16) The cold infusion of the flowers is given in a dose of about 50-60 ml to treat fever. 

17) The leaf paste of Heena is applied locally to treat skin diseases and gonorrhea. 

18) Decoction from the bark of the plant is administered in patients suffering from jaundice and enlarged liver, in a dose of 50-60 ml in divided dose. 

19) Flowers are very fragrant and used to extract a perfume, which is used as base for local scents. An infusion of the flowers is a valuable application to bruises. Decoction of the flowers is describes as an emmenagogue.

20) 50g Mature leaves Henna paste, 5- 10gram liquorice(Yastimadhu), Indigofera tinctoria(neelini), Amla(Emblica officinalis) and 2-5 gram of Hibiscus  are also added while applying this to the scalp, and hair. Adding additional herbs helps to strengthen hair, prevents THINNIN, DANDRUFF & GREYING of hair along with cooling effect to scalp.

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21) The leaves paste is used in cosmetics from ancient times : to color the hair, as a coloring agent to paint the hands and legs, to draw design on hand and legs before wedding or any other functions. 

22) 10-15 ml of fresh leaf juice added with 3-5 gram of sugar/mishri/Jaggery and 10-15 ml of fresh juice of Durva (Cynodon dactylon Linn.). This juice mix is administered in a dose of 15 ml, 2 times a day. It relieves burning urination and difficulty in passing the urine. Constipation, abdominal distension.

23) Root is considered as a potent medicine for gonorrhoea and herpes infection. Root is astringent may be pulped and used for sore eyes. 

24) Henna has been used since antiquity to dye skin, hair and fingernails, as well as fabrics including silk, wool and leather.

25) The bark is applied in the form of a decoction to burns and scalds. It is given internally in a variety of affections, such as jaundice, enlargement of the spleen,calculus, as an alternative in leprosy and obstinate skin affections. 

26) 50 grams of each of liquorice(Yastimadhu) & henna and 5 gram Fenugreek seed is soaked in 2 liters of cold water for whole night. Next morning, this is macerated well. This Maceration used to rinse the hair. This helps reduce splitting of hair, scalp irritation, hair damage and boils.  

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27) Burning feet: The paste of fresh leaves of Henna and lemon juice is bandaged onto the soles during night times relieves burning in burning feet syndrome.

28) The oil prepared from the seeds and leaves of henna is used as an external application over the body to cure burning sensation, itching and dandruff. It also acts as a coolant.

Note : 

• "black henna" or "neutral henna" are not made from henna, but may be derived from indigo (in the plant Indigofera tinctoria) or Cassia obovata, and may contain unlisted dyes and chemicals.

Side effects

• No adverse effects have been seen

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