Lawsonia Inermis – Red Brown Dye

Lawsonia inermis is popularly known as maruthani or marithondi in Tamil  language.  In Bengali it is called as mehedi or mendi. In English it is known as henna tree , camphor or Egyptian privet. Lawsonia inermis is a much branched glabrous shrub. It grows up to 7 m high at its tallest with grayish-brown bark.Its leaves are used as a skin and hair dye . They are almond shaped, tapering at the end attached to the tree.

The leaves are used in India traditionally during auspicious  occasions like marriages. These leaves are ground into thick paste  and was applied in designs on the palm  and sole and was allowed to dry for hours. When the dried  portion is washed off  a red pigmentation is left behind on the applied area. In south India most probably a circular patch is  applied in the centre of the palm and a cap is formed over the fingers. This way of decoration is used by dancers  as well. In north the habit of creating exquisite and intricate designs on the palm as well as the forearm has been in practice.

   The henna was used in the fourth and the fifth centuries in India which was illustrated on Bodhisattvas and deities of cave wall murals. It was probably used in India seven centuries before the mogul invasion.  Lawsonia inermis flowers  are used in traditional medicine and oil for perfumery. They are sweet scented and creamy white in color. The flower has a four greenish yellow petals , four sepals and eight stamens. Its fruits are spherical in shape  and it is brown when ripe .Henna is native to the middle east .In India henna leaves are used   to treat vitiligo  and seeds are used to cure fever.