None known

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Alterative  Antibacterial  Antidiarrhoeal  Antifungal  Astringent  Dysentery  Emmenagogue  Hepatic  
Leprosy  Mouthwash  Odontalgic  Skin  Tonic

Henna has at times been used in traditional medicine as a remedy against almost any disease, much of this probably being based on the high regard the plant is held in rather than any actual benefits[299 ]. However, ithe plant does contain a range of medically active substances including coumarins, naphthaquinones (including lawsone), flavonoids, sterols and tannins, and is known to be of benefit in a range of conditions[254 , 299 ]. It is an astringent herb with a tea-like aroma, that controls bleeding and is antibacterial[238 ]. It is regarded as an alterative and nerve tonic in Ayurvedic medicine[238 ]. The leaves are taken internally in the treatment of amoebic dysentery[238 ]. They are also used in the treatment of diarrhoea and to promote menstrual flow[254 ]. They are used as a gargle to treat sore throats[254 ]. Extracts of the leaves have an astringent effect on the skin, making it somewhat hydrophobic. This effect, combined with a slight bactericidal and fungicidal action, makes it a useful medicine for external use against many skin and nail complaints[299 ].The leaves are, therefore, used externally in the treatment of various skin diseases (including leprosy), wounds, ulcers and herpes[238 , 348 ]. An infusion of the leaves is mixed with tobacco and salt and used as a mouthwash[348 ]. Dyeing the hair with henna effectively kills lice[299 ]. The young leafy shoots, 20 - 25cm long, are picked during the growing season and dried for use in powders[238 ]. A decoction of the bark is used as an emmenagogue, and also to treat liver problems and nervous symptoms[46 , 254 , 348 ]. The stembark is chewed and then kept between the teeth for about 25 minutes in order to treat toothache[272 ]. The bark is often used in herbal medicines[302 ].

Basketry  Cosmetic  Dye  Essential  Fuel  Hair  Hedge  Insecticide  Shelterbelt  Teeth  Wood

Small flowering tree, Hedging. Screening. Specimen, Planter. Courtyard, Civic Centre. Xerophytic. Agroforestry Uses: Because of its dense habit of growth, and amenability to pruning, the plant is particularly useful as a hedge[307 ]. It is traditionally planted as a windbreak in vineyards[238 ]. Other Uses The crushed leaves are used to prepare a very fast reddish or yellowish dye[302 ]. It is used for dyeing cloth and hair, and as a cosmetic for staining finger and toe nails, palms of the hands and the soles of the feet[287 ]. It has long been used traditionally in Islamic culture for staining the hair, beards, nails and skin[307 ]. The colour can be modified by adding other dyes such as Indigo, Gambier or the powder of areca nut[299 ]. In India, henna is traditionally used to paint intricate patterns on the skin, especially on the hands and feet of a bride and her female wedding guests[307 ]. Henna is commonly used as a hair conditioner and colouring, often mixed with chamomile flowers (Chamaemelum nobile)[307 ]. When mixed with indigo (Indigo spp) it is used to impart a fine blue-black colour to beards and hair[46 ]. For dyeing the hair, a paste of the powdered leaves is applied to it and it is bound up with leaves, wax cloth, or oilskin. After a half hour or more the preparation is washed off and the hair is found to be of a bright red colour. If desired, a second application can then be made of the powder of the indigo plant (Indigofera spp.) made into a paste with water and allowed to remain three hours. This turns the hair a jet black. Ointments can be used to make it glossy. The process must be repeated frequently, as with other dyes, on account of the growth of the hair[459 ]. The dyeing agent in henna is lawsone, which is present in dry leaves at a concentration of 0.5 - 2%. It attaches itself strongly to proteins, and as a result the dye is very fast[299 ]. An essential oil obtained from the flowers is used in perfumery[307 ]. It is lilac-scented[238 ]. On steam distillation, the flowers yield 0.01 - 0.02% essential oil (henna oil), mainly consisting of a- and ß-ionones, which can be used as a basis for perfumes[299 ]. The fragrant flowers are macerated, then infused in oil to impart their fine scent for use as a perfume[46 ]. The oil of Moringa peregrina (ben) is traditionally used because it does not easily become rancid - it produces a perfume with a greenish colour[299 ]. The fibres of the branches and the stem bark are used to make baskets[299 ]. The small twigs are used as toothbrushes[299 ]. The seeds contain about 10% of a non-drying, viscous oil, composed mainly of oleic, linoleic and stearic acids. This oil is not of commercial importance, but is sometimes used locally for purposes such as anointing the body[299 ]. The wood is fine-grained and hard. It is used for making small objects such as tent pegs and tool handles[299 , 418 ]. The wood is used for fuel[299 , 303 ].

Special Uses

Coppice  Hedge  Scented Plants