Essential Perspectives of Lawsonia inermis

The present attempt is to review and compile updated information on various aspects of Lawsonia inermis (Linn), a plant used all over the world. This plant is commonly known as Henna or Mhendi and abundantly available in tropical and subtropical areas. Ancient history of India describes its diverse uses and also plays appreciable role in Ayurvedic or natural herbal medicines. Henna has been used cosmetically and medicinally for over 9,000 years. Traditionally in India, henna is applied to hands and feet. Henna symbolizes fertility. Its use became popular in India because of its cooling effect in the hot Indian summers. Henna leaves, flowers, seeds, stem bark and roots are used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments as rheumatoid arthritis, headache, ulcers, diarrhoea, leprosy, fever, leucorrhoea, diabetes, cardiac disease, hepatoprotective and colouring agent. Lawsonia inermis L. is a much branched glabrous shrub or small tree, cultivated for its leaves although stem bark, roots, flowers and seeds have also been used in traditional medicine. The plant is reported to contain carbohydrates, proteins, flavonoids, tannins and phenolic compounds, alkaloids, terpenoids, quinones, Coumarins, xanthones and fatty acids. The plant has been reported to have analgesic, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, immunostimulant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, antitrypanosomal, antidermatophytic, antioxidant, antifertility, tuberculostatic and anticancer properties. It is now considered as a valuable source of unique natural products for development of medicines against various diseases and also for the development of industrial products. This review gives a bird’s eye view mainly on the traditional uses, Phytochemistry and pharmacological actions of the plant.