Herbal Henna - Ayurvedic / herbal medicines

What is Henna

Henna which is also called as mignonette tree, and is commonly used for cosmetic purpose as natural hair dye and used for preventing premature greying of hair. The botanical name of Henna is Lawsonia Inermis and in Sanskrit it is called as Madayanti, and Mehanti or Mehndi in Hindi. Apart from dye purpose, Henna is having medicinal effects too and is used in different modes in preparation of Ayurvedic medicines too.

Henna Overview

Henna is cultivated throughout the India and the leaves are simple with aromatic smell when crushed, it is sweet and astringent in taste. As per Ayurveda classification its taste is bitter and astringent, which is light and dry in nature with cold potency.

Useful parts in Henna

The useful parts of Henna are Leaves, Root, Flowers, and Seeds. Leaves are the most commonly used parts.

Chemical constituents of Henna

Henna extracts contain many phytochemicals which are having health benefits and helps in treating various disorders and the phytochemicals such as the presence of scoploletin, botulin, Lupeol, flavone glycosides, pentacytic triterpenes.

Pharmacological action of Henna

Henna is having antifungal, analgesic, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-tubercular, anti-tumour, and antibacterial properties.

Therapeutic uses of Henna

• It is mainly used for cosmetic purpose and indicated for colouring body parts and hair. Other medicines properties are Micturitive, sleep inducing, Headaches, and coolant.

• It is believed that this plant pacifies Kapha, pitaa.

• Used for pain condition as it is having anti-inflammatory property.

• It is used for Edema condition also, and for burning sensation, headache. It is used for treating hepatitis, and skin diseases.

• Henna is used for controlling dysmenorrhea and anemia condition.

• The root of Henna is found effective for treating tuberculosis, dysmenorrhea, diuretic, amenorrhea, for preventing premature greying of hair.

Henna Products

For the purpose of premature greying, Henna can be used for application such as Khadi Herbal Mehndi (Henna) is the combination of Henna leaves, Amla powder, Neem leaves, Ritha powder, Tulasi powder, Shikkai powder and Methi powder where one can make use of this product as natural dye for hair. Similarly, there is another product which can be used for Hair dye such as Black Rose Kali Mehndi - Herbal Henna which is contains Henna as an ingredient.

Home remedies related to Henna

Henna, for the purpose of premature greying and for nourishing hair, there is traditional use Henna in combination such as by using Henna as main ingredient, one should add egg white, 10 drops of lemon juice, decoction extracts of tea, one teaspoon of sour curds, and a special Triphala Mashi If available. All these contents should be mixed thoroughly and stored in iron vessel and can be used for hair. Storage can be done for 24 hours with intermittent mixing of contents. One can repeat the procedure for every 15 days for best results and at the same time, the benefits of this combination would be for blackening hair naturally.

Precautions and safety while using Henna

Though, there many medicinal effects of Henna as an ayurvedic medicine like for external application etc., one should consult physician or take expert opinion for health conditions and for the cosmetic purpose, one can be careful while using henna and use it as a test dose below the ear and see for any reaction, if there is no reaction, one can use for premature greying. As it is found in researches that for those who have deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase they may avoid using Henna as it may cause allergies. Even if someone is willing to use for body art, one should check for similar allergies.