Henna

Parts Usually Used

Leaves, root

Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Henna is a small shrub, the grayish-green leaves are elliptical and from 1-2 inches long. Fragrant red flowers highly prized by Egyptian ladies, grow in large panicles.

Where Found

Henna grows in Arabia, North Africa, Iran, and the East Indies.

Medicinal Properties

Astringent

Legends, Myths and Stories

Few women of today realize that they are using an herb used by women in Cleopatra’s time and for thousands of years before in Egypt. The ladies of those remote times used Henna for dyeing their finger and toe nails also. Even the men used the herb for dyeing their beards and coloring the manes and tails of their horses. ” So strong was the prejudice against dyeing hair that women of Europe did not use Henna until the very late 19th century.

From the fashion centers of Vienna and Paris, the use of Henna spread rapidly over the world. Henna is simple to prepare. The fine cut leaves or powdered leaves are made into a paste with hot water and applied to the hair and allowed to remain until the desired shade is obtained. On finger or toe nails the paste is allowed to remain over-night or paste is renewed often until the desired shade is obtained.

Plain Henna adds an auburn shade to the nails. Various shades may be obtained by mixing Henna with Indigo, Sage, or other dye plants. Henna is not only the oldest known hair rinse in the world but is the most widely used as well. , in order to get a harmonizing and natural appearance. ” Shampoo the hair before using the hair dye.

Uses

Historically, a decoction of the leaves was used as a gargle and taken as a remedy for headaches. Traditional practitioners also administered the leaves internally or applied them externally for skin complaints, including psoriasis. Additionally, the bark was utilized as a dye.

Bibliography

, Loma Linda, CA 92354, Original copyright 1939, revised edition 1994 Chinese Medicinal Herbs , compiled by Shih-Chen Li, Georgetown Press, San Francisco, California, 1973. The Herbalist Almanac , by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, copyright 1988, fifth printing, 1994 The Herb Book , by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY.

copyright 1974. The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine , by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Second edition, 1988. , 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023