Spices & Medicinal herbs

HERBS	Angelica :: Aloe Vera :: Basil :: Chamomile :: Chives :: Coriander :: Dill :: Lemon Balm :: Musli :: Oregano :: Stevia
SPICES	Ajwain :: Allspice :: Bay Leaf :: Black Cardamon :: Green Cardamon :: Cinnamon :: Cloves :: Cumin :: Cayenne Pepper
VEGETABLES	Amaranth :: Breadfruit :: Brocolli :: Cauliflower :: Cucumber :: Drumstick :: Hijiki :: Garlic

Herbs Classifical of Herbs Herbs by Common Name Herbs by Property List of Herbs Alfalfa Allspice Aloe Vera Angelica Anise Annatto Arugula Agrimony Apple mint Asafoetida Avens Barberry Basil Bistort Boneset Bog Labrador Tea Borage Boldo Candle nut Capsicum Coriander Caraway Calamus Chamomile Chickweed Chives Cleavers Dill Echinacea Flax Fennel Lavender Kali Musli Lemon Balm Musli Oregano Stevia Spices Vegetables

Herb : Henna

(Botanical name: Lawsonia Inermis)

Classification

• Kingdom- Plantae
• Division- Magnoliophyta
• Class- Magnoliopsida
• Order- Myrtales
• Family- Lythraceae
• Genus- Lawsonia
• Species- L.inermis

History

Henna is a flowering plant and a native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, southern Asia and northern Australia.

It is commonly used as hair dye and with the ascending trend of tattoos henna is used for body tattoos which is considered the most safe and painless alternative form of body ornamentation.

It is been used for colouring hair and hands from thousands of years. Other than colouring hairs and hands henna has medicinal uses too.

Plant Description

Henna is small shrub that grows to a height of 6 m. the branches of this plant are lateral with leaves that grow in pair which are 2-4cm long.

The flowers are fragrant and white-red rose like.

Cultivation

Henna plant has reported a life zone of 19 to 27 degrees centigrade with an annual precipitation of 0.2 to 4.2 m and thrives in the soil with pH balance of 4.3 to 8.0.

It is perennial shrub naturalized and cultivated in the parts of India, America, Egypt and regions of the Middle East.

Parts Used

Leaves

Constituents

Henna leaves contain an important pigment called 'lawsone'. It also contains mannite, tannic acid, Gallic acid, mucilage and naphtaquinone.

Uses

• In west and the Middle East henna is used in hair dyes, shampoo and conditioners.
• Extracts of henna are used to stain wood and to dye fabric and textiles.
• It is also known as good medicinal plant which is said to have properties of astringent, antihemorrhagic, intestinal anti-neoplastic, hypotensive and sedative effects.
• Henna extracts manifests anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties while the aromatic flowers are used in the making of perfumes.
• Traditionally henna is used to create beautiful designs on hands and other body parts on various occasions like weddings and festivals. Applying henna on wedding and festivals is considered auspicious and important.

Names

• English-: Henna, Jamaica mignonette, Mignonette tree.
• French-: Henné.
• German-: Hennastrauch.
• Portugese-: Alfeneiro.
• Spanish-: Alcana, Alheña.
• Tamil-: Marudaani.
• Kannada-: madarangi
• Telugu-: gorintaaku
• Malayalam-: Mailanji