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Lawsonia inermis L., (=Lawsonia alba Lam.), Lythraceae, is a native of the Old World tropics and cultivated all over India. It has become naturalised in tropical America. This species has been in cultivation and use since ancient times for its orange-red dye known as henna. The dye is derived from ground leaves and young shoots. Currently henna is the most popular natural dye for the hair. The dye from the leaf is extensively used on ceremonial occasions to colour the hands and feet of women, as a traditional decoration, in an enormously diverse artistic patterns. It is also sued to dye silk, wool and leather.
The root is given in jaundice and enlargement of the spleen, in calculous affections, as an alterative and in skin disorders.
The leaves are externally applied for headache, rubbed over the soles of the feet in the burning of the feet. The decoction of the leaves is used as an astringent and gargle in sore throat. It is also a remedy for spermatorrhoea.
The essential oil is used to keep the body cool.
The fragrant white flowers (see photograph) are refrigerant and soporific.
The leaves are used to colour medicine. The flowers are also used in perfumery.
In Nigeria the leaves are used to control perspiration and both the leaves and roots are used as an emmenagogue and anthelminthic. The bark is used as an astringent and used in jaundice and skin diseases. In the Arab medicine, the root is considered useful in the treatment of hysteria and of nervous diseases in general.
The leaves contain glucoside and the colouring matter lawsone, which is 2-hydroxy-a -naphthaquinone. The essential oil contains b -ionone. The seeds yield a non-drying oil. The bark has hennatannin and a resin.
Lawsone has slight vitamin K action, antihaemorrhagic properties, and a powerful bactericidal action along with gallic acid. The naphthaquinone is of interest due to its emmenagogic and oxytocic action.