The Benefits of Henna

Farzollah Gholizadeh and Fariba Bayrami

Introduction

The henna plant (Lawsonia inermis) belongs to the loosestrife family (Lythraceae). It usually grows as a many-branched perennial shrub, 3 to 6 metres tall, with oval, glossy, opposite leaves, small fragrant white or pink flowers, and a small capsule-shaped fruit holding brown seeds. Its main active compound is a natural dye called lawsone, which has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, astringent and antioxidant properties.

Henna is suited to hot, dry regions and grows best in semi-desert, tropical or mild-winter climates. Its ideal temperature is 25–40 °C; it tolerates heat but is sensitive to cold and frost. It loves sunlight and should be planted in full sun, in sandy or clay soil that drains well and is slightly alkaline or neutral. Light, regular watering suits it best, especially in light soils.

Where the best henna comes from

The highest-quality henna comes from particular regions. Henna from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh in India has the highest dye content and is known as the finest in the world. Indian “Raj henna” gives strong colour and is also considered to have stronger healing properties.

Parts of Iran are also important producers. Henna from Baluchistan, Nikshahr and Saravan is valued for its healing properties and holds a special place in traditional medicine, where it is known for clearing harmful fluids and strengthening the womb, the joints and the skin.

Henna is also produced in Morocco, Yemen, Oman, Egypt and Sudan. Moroccan henna, with its strong scent, is used mainly in cosmetics and perfumery. Yemeni and Omani henna has strong healing power and is preferred for external use, though it does not dye as strongly as Indian henna.

Signs of good henna

• The powder is fine, even and pure
• The colour is light green or greenish yellow
• It has a natural herbal smell
• Mixed with hot water, it gives an orange-red colour after a few hours

Overall, the most effective henna for colour and healing is Indian henna, especially from Rajasthan. For cleansing the body and for external healing uses, henna from Iranian Baluchistan has a special place in traditional medicine.

Temperament and nature

Traditional sources (such as Ibn Sina’s Canon and Zakhireh-ye Khwarazmshahi) describe henna as cold in the first degree and dry in the second. But because henna is murakkab al-quwa (a substance with several powers), it can show opposite effects as it is absorbed, and it is sometimes considered warming as a secondary effect. Hence the saying: “Though henna is cold in temperament, applied to the head it warms, stimulates and lightens.”

Why henna warms the head: the traditional and scientific explanation

1. First stage: a cooling, astringent effect, which drives out phlegm and moisture.
2. Second stage: fresh, healthy blood flow is stimulated, creating a natural warmth.
3. Result: a lighter head, a stronger memory, less catarrh, and clearing of toxins.

When first applied its coolness is felt; over time it creates a gentle warmth. Thanks to its astringency, henna:

• regulates the pores of the skin
• draws harmful fluids and foreign matter out of deeper tissues
• has a stronger detox effect when applied to the palms and soles

Main chemical components

The most important active compound is lawsone (C₁₀H₆O₃), the natural pigment that gives henna its red-orange colour; it makes up about 1–1.4% of the leaves. Other important components:

• Tannins (strongly astringent, anti-inflammatory)
• Flavonoids (antioxidant)
• Coumarins (muscle relaxant)
• Xanthones (studied for anti-tumour and anti-inflammatory activity)
• Gallic acid (antifungal; studied for anti-cancer activity)
• Sterols such as β-sitosterol (lowers cholesterol, supports immunity)

The tannins are the main reason for henna’s strong astringency. In traditional medicine, this makes it useful in low doses, used carefully, for bloody diarrhoea and stomach and intestinal ulcers.

Medicinal properties and traditional uses

1. General effects

In traditional medicine and modern research, henna is described as:

• antibacterial (especially against Gram-positive bacteria)
• antifungal (against Trichophyton, Sporothrix, Cryptococcus and others)
• antiviral
• fever-reducing, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic
• pain-relieving, astringent and antiperspirant
• a natural sun protection (against UV rays)
• diuretic, laxative, emmenagogue (bringing on menstruation) and emetic
• able to cause miscarriage at certain doses
• lowering high blood pressure
• protecting the liver, breaking kidney stones and strengthening the kidneys
• clearing excess black bile, phlegm and bile; purifying the blood
• anti-allergic and an antidote (clearing toxins)
• clearing spoiled body fluids

2. External uses

Skin and hair

• helps wounds and skin infections heal
• supports treatment of eczema, fungal skin infections and scabies
• reduces itching, warts and sweaty feet
• with olive oil or coriander water, prevents hair loss and strengthens the roots
• reduces fungal spots, and thickens and protects the soles of the feet

Applied to burns, it helps the skin renew. Mixed with violet oil or olive oil and rubbed on the skin, it relieves itching. Applied to the palms and soles, it clears skin rashes and is said to increase sexual desire. Used on an anal fissure, it speeds healing, especially in people with a hot temperament. Mixed with olive oil and rubbed on the knee, it eases knee pain.

Muscles and joints

• with olive oil, eases pain in the joints, knees and heel spurs
• reduces joint stiffness and rheumatic pain

Reproductive organs and the womb

• traditionally used for vaginal itching, infection, swelling and wind
• strengthens the womb and protects against miscarriage and women’s diseases
• helps prevent cysts and fibroids

Other benefits

• protects against viral, fungal and parasitic diseases and scabies
• clears excess black bile, phlegm and bile collected in the womb

3. Effects on the brain and nerves

• clears moisture and phlegm from the brain
• treats phlegmatic headaches and ringing in the ears
• strengthens the substance of the brain and the nerves
• protects against catarrh, drowsiness and cold-related low mood
• reduces drooling and postnasal drip
• strengthens the ears and eyes

Ringing in the ears is described in traditional medicine as coming from wind and phlegm moving in the head, sometimes with headache. Henna reduces these complaints by clearing sticky, phlegmatic matter from the brain, and its astringent, drying effect also reduces drooling.

According to traditional medicine, most brain diseases come from phlegm or black bile, and henna helps prevent them by clearing these harmful substances. Applied to the head, soles, palms and over the womb, it strengthens the brain and the body’s energy, and stops cold and phlegm reaching the brain. By drying harmful moisture circulating in the body, it gives strong protection against catarrh, which traditional medicine sees as the cause of many diseases. Its simplest effects are helping to prevent recurring women’s complaints and repeated colds. In men, applied externally to the genitals, it is used traditionally to help prevent premature ejaculation.

4. Internal use: only with great care

Henna should be taken by mouth only when prescribed by a qualified practitioner, usually as an infusion, and in very low doses. Traditionally it has been used for:

• jaundice (hepatitis) and swelling of the liver and spleen
• passing kidney and bladder stones (with brown sugar)
• bloody diarrhoea and intestinal inflammation
• as an antidote to harmful, toxic body fluids

5. Cleansing and detox effects

Traditional medicine sees henna as an absorbing substance that can draw deep toxins out of the body, especially during sleep. At night the body becomes cool and moist and its natural heat withdraws to the inner organs; henna applied to the feet, hands, lower belly or head then draws harmful matter outwards like a magnet. Classical sources such as Zakhireh-ye Khwarazmshahi and Tohfat al-Mo’menin say: “In sleep the body is in a state of drawing and loosening; henna then draws harmful matter outwards and lightens the body.”

Henna on the soles helps clear toxins from the lower body. Traditional practitioners say that if the henna on the soles turns black after a while, black bile is being drawn out, and the application should be repeated until the soles take the normal henna colour again.

The soles, palms, head and genitals are seen as the body’s areas for releasing and clearing toxins. Henna applied there triggers deep cleansing, especially with:

• a build-up of harmful moisture
• slack muscles and tiredness
• drowsiness and heaviness
• very deep, heavy sleep

Henna at night lightens the body, may increase sweating and urine, and improves sleep.

6. Henna and women’s health

Applied to the soles, head, lower belly and hands, henna is used traditionally to protect against women’s diseases, prolapse of the womb, cysts, fibroids and infections. It is said to keep the womb clean and dry, so that fungi, viruses and microbes cannot settle there.

Traditional medicine sees a strong link between the womb and the ankle area, where many reflex points related to the womb are said to lie; scholars such as Hakim Azam Khan linked sexual strength with the calf and ankle muscles. Applied to the soles, hands and ankles, henna is believed to strengthen sexual function, regulate the womb, and cleanse and strengthen it. Tradition also holds that wearing a high-carat gold anklet strengthens the womb. For hot feet or restless legs, henna is used to calm the legs by “detoxifying the liver and spleen”.

7. The calves and general health

Traditional sources hold that spending a long time in mainly blue surroundings increases moisture in the ankles (depending on temperament) and weakens sexual strength. They also say: “Whatever is done to the palms or soles has the same effect on the whole body,” because the palms and soles represent all the organs. So henna on the soles and ankles is believed to help clear excess matter linked to the womb and balance all the organs.

Precautions and practical notes

• Do not use henna during pregnancy, especially by mouth: traditional sources themselves describe it as able to cause miscarriage.
• Do not use henna on babies or on people with G6PD deficiency (favism): lawsone can break down red blood cells in them.
• Avoid “black henna”, which often contains the chemical dye PPD and can cause severe skin reactions. Use only pure, natural henna, and test a small patch of skin first.
• Taking henna by mouth must be in very low doses and only under a qualified practitioner’s supervision.
• Massaging with cold oils at night can cause sagging, slackness and low energy, because the body becomes cold and phlegmatic at night and absorbs more.
• Heavy oil applications to the neck and the vessels and nerves linked to the brain can push matter downwards and worsen illness; even helpful oil treatments should be used carefully.

Example recipes

A. For headache and ringing in the ears

• 1 tablespoon of natural henna
• 1 dessert spoon of apple vinegar
• 1 teaspoon of black seed oil

Mix and apply to the crown of the head in the evening before bed. Wash off after 1 hour.

B. Cleansing the womb and preventing cysts (for women)

• 1 tablespoon of henna
• 3–5 drops of thyme oil
• ½ teaspoon of olive oil

At night, apply with cotton wool to the skin of the lower belly and cover with gauze. Up to twice a week. Not during pregnancy.

C. Full-body detox through the soles

• 2 tablespoons of henna
• 1 dessert spoon of aloe vera gel
• 1 dessert spoon of apple vinegar

Mix, apply to the soles, wrap in cling film and leave for 3 hours, then wash the feet. Once or twice a week.

D. For restless legs and sleeplessness

• henna
• a few drops of lavender oil

Mix the lavender oil into a henna paste and apply to the calves and feet before sleep.

E. Henna mask against hair loss

• 2 tablespoons of henna
• 1 tablespoon of strong black tea
• 1 dessert spoon of garlic juice

Mix, apply to the hair roots and leave for 30–45 minutes. Once a week.

Source

Gholizadeh F. The Temperament and Benefits of Healing Plants (Şifalı Bitkilerin Mizacı ve Faydaları).

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