Uses of Henna

Henna is a small tree or shrub also known as Lawsonia inermis having aromatic white or reddish flowers. Henna powder and henna crops are nature's gift to mankind. It is a natural product having versatility of its usage defined in different categories like :

Traditional Use of Henna
In 2100 BC, henna has been used by early Babylonian and Sumerian civilizations. Before Mughal Era kings and queens used henna for body decoration as it signifies prosperity and fertility. Traditionally uses of henna comprises of :

• Applied for decorating hands
• Used due to its cooling and healing properties
• Henna is used for hair coloring and as conditioner
• To decorate the bride used as a part of wedding celebration
• Act as a skin cleanser and healer
• It was considered that time that henna made human more aware of the Earth's energies therefore used by people to be in touch with spirituality.

Modern Use of Henna
As the time grows from traditional era to modern era, uses of henna also grow as they are being now manufactured and exported to a number of countries. Henna is just not used for adorning purpose but used in a variety of products. Henna is both used in its raw form as well as in powdered form. Largely used due to its wide properties and applications such as :

• Among youth, henna tattoos are very popular and famous
• Used as a hair tonic, hair conditioner or nourisher and hair shampoo
• Apply for body adornment
• Leading companies use henna due to its anti bacterial and anti fungal properties to make different skin products and hair products
• Due to its therapeutic and beneficial properties henna is used by ayurvedic and herbal practitioners

Medicinal Uses of Henna
The henna tree and its branches constitute a dissolving factor of limpness of an organ due to moisture contained in it and a costive feature of cold earth substance. The medicative properties of henna plant is used for various purposes such as :

• Henna is used for curing common ailments such as burns, ulcer, swelling and pleurisy
• It is helpful in the treatment of small pox occurring at early stage
• Henna balm and paste is beneficial in treatment of cracking of nails. It is also helpful in treating scabies and itching
• The medicinal properties of henna helps in preventing hair growth, vision, sexual drive, youthfulness and treating pimples, blisters and skin pustules between the legs.

Ayurvedic Uses of Henna
In early Ayurvedic times henna has been referred for curing a number of diseases and problems such as:

• It helps in preventing loss of water from body
• Used for smoothening skin and improving blood circulation
• Preventing skin problems like leprosy, dandruff and arthritis
• Due to anti microbial, astringent, anti irritant and sedative properties henna is used to cure ailments in ayurveda
• Used in various skin products like body lotions and moisturizers
• Used in some hair products like shampoos, dyes and hair oils
• Used for coloring and conditioning hair

Other Uses of Henna
Some of the other diverse applications of henna apart from used as dye and coloring are :

• The wood of henna plant is used as a fuel and for making of various carpentry products including furniture and wooden show pieces
• Used as a traditional medicine as leaf and bark of it is used to cure number of bacterial and fungal allergies. Henna is used for healing hot swellings, cuts, bruises, ulcers and burns
• Henna plants and flowers have a soothing aroma that render elusive fragrance to apparels used to keep insects away from clothes. It is also used in perfumes and scents due to its aromatic smell.