Lawsonia inermisHenna

Presented bySavannah Herdegen Sarah LivingstonQuinn Lambert

Overview Henna is used culturally to

decorate the body.

Traditional medicine used henna both topically and internally

In Western medicine, henna shows promise, but is not yet integrated.

There are health concerns surrounding henna impersonators.

Origins

Lawsonia inermis orginiated in Egypt and spread across the Mediterrainian and to India.

It is now cultivated in Northern Africa, the middle east, and India.

Production

The leaves of Lawsonia inermis are crushed into a powder and then made into a paste. This paste is applied to the skin in order to dye it. It can also be mixed into a soap (shampoo) for hair health.

Cultural UsesWestern (Henna “tattoos”)

Traditional (a Vedic custom) vs

Medicinal Uses

Acts as an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiepileptic, antioxidant, astringent

Treats wounds, burns, sore throats, diarrhea, dysentery, stomach ulcers, jaundice and tapeworms

Clinical support for future cancer treatment

Non-medicinal uses include coloring the skin (esp. that of brides) and hair

Warnings

Natural henna is known to be a possible allergen. Mostly, this is a concern in pre-mixed pastes which include adulterants.

There is no such thing as black henna. What is often sold to be henna with a darker dye is indigo with para-phenylenediamine (PPD), which is known to cause severe reactions and scarring. PPD creates sensitivity in your skin toward printer ink, sunscreen, hair dye, and some medications.

Questions?

Designs

Or design your own!