Botanical name :Lawsonia inermis Linn.
Family : Lythraceae
SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Madayantika, Mendhi, Mendhika, Nakharanjani
AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa    : Tikta, Kashaya
Guna   : Lakhu, Rooksha
Virya   : Seeta
Vipaka : Katu
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English     : Henna, Egyptian priven, Cypress shrub
Hindi        : Mehanti, Hena
Malayalam    : Mailanji, Mayilanji
Distribution – Cultivated through India; and in dry deciduous forests.  
PLANT DESCRIPTION
A large shrub grows up to 3 meters in height. Leaves simple, opposite, entire, lanceolate, with short petals. Flowers white numerous, fragrant seen in terminal panicled cymes. Fruits globose capsules, with persistent calyx. Seeds numerous, smooth and pyramidal. Propagation is by vegetative manner.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, pitta, pain, ulcer, edema, hair fall, graying of hair, burning sensation, headache, hepatitis, skin diseases, dysmenorrhea and anemia.
Useful part    :    Root, Leaves, Flowers, Seeds.

Photo : Dr. Eby Abraham MD