mendhi :

Substitute:

Lawsonia inermis (henna) extract: A possible natural substitute to eosin stain

Adultrants:

Adulteration of henna is done with various chemicals such as p- phenylenediamine (PPD), p-methylaminophenol, p-aminobenzene and p-toluenodiamine to produce a variety of colours. PPD is mixed with the natural henna and sold as “black henna.” PPD has resulted in serious health problems, including allergic reactions, itching reactions etc.

its adulterant Mirabilis jalapa can be distinguished from Lawsonia inermis by the presence of irregular shaped epidermal cells which are 80µm in length and 29.8µm in width, stomata anomocytic and tetracellular trichomes

Controversy:

Henna is an important but a controversial drug in market in Indo-Pak subcontinent. Due to the adulteration and use of other species as source of henna powder in trade, the drug has become adulterated. In view of the extent of adulteration attached to this drug, it was deemed necessary to study the market samples to ascertain their botanical identity.

Commercial value:

oil is not of commercial importance, but is sometimes used locally for purposes such as anointing the body

Henna (Lawsonia sp.) is a rainfed plantation crop commercially cultivated in Rajasthan on 32,084 ha (2001-02) for its leaves, which are important

source of a natural dye.

In henna crop, leaves are harvested as a produce of commercial value from the second year onwards. Though, henna cultivation was introduced long back in the semi-arid Rajasthan, specifically in the Sojat area of Pali district, no detailed economic analysis has been carried out so far

Dr Mohamed Rifas

A dual country licensed Ayurveda Physician, currently working in Dubai as Head of Ayurveda and Yoga department. He also works as visiting doctor for Dr Hassan Ayurveda Brain and Spine Specialty Hospital. He is specialized in joint issues, brain and spine related issues and gastrointestinal issues with respect to anxiety.
Doctor profile: Click here