adj. see antifungal.
Habitat: Native to Arabia and Persia; now cultivated mainly in Haryana and Gujarat; to a small extent in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
English: Henna.Ayurvedic: Madayanti, Madayan- tikaa, Mendika, Ranjaka.Unani: Hinaa, Mehndi.Siddha/Tamil: Marudum.Action: Leaves—astringent, antihaemorrhagic, antispasmodic, oxytocic, antifertility, antifungal, antibacterial. Used externally to treat skin infections (tinea); also as a hair conditioner.
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia ofIn- dia indicated the use of the leaves in dysuria, jaundice, bleeding disorders, ulcers, prurigo and other obstinate skin diseases. The leaf is also recommended in giddiness and vertigo.The leaves contain naphthoqui- nones, in particular lawsone; couma- rins (laxanthone, I, II and III); flavono- ids, luteolin and its 7-O-glucoside, acacetin-7-O-glucoside; beta-sitoste- rol-3-O-glucoside; all parts contain tannins.Chloroform and ethanol extracts of leaves exhibit promising antibacterial activity against Shigella and Vibrio cholerae. Leaf extract shows antifun- gal activity against several pathogenic bacteria and fungi.Henna paint is used as a medicament for treatment of hands and feet for mycosis. The antimycotic activity is due to lawsone, a naphthoquinone.The ethanol-water (1 : 1) extract of the stem bark shows hepatoprotective activity CCl4-induced liver toxicity. Stembarkand root, probably due to the presence of isoplumbagin and lawsar- itol, exhibit anti-inflammatory activity experimentally.Evidence shows Henna leaf might be able to decrease the formation of sickled cells in individuals with sickle cell anaemia. (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)Dosage: Leaves—5-10 ml juice. (API, Vol. IV.)... lawsonia inermisConstituents: alkaloids, saponins, carotene.
Action: cholagogue, bitter, antispasmodic, antifungal.
Analgesic (Pharmaceutical Journal 8/3/1986, p.304)
Diuretic, laxative, vesicant (fresh juice), antibacterial, antimycotic.
Constituents. Alkaloids Chelidonine, Chelerythrine and Sanguinarine. Yellow juice resembles bile. Uses. Gall stones, inflammation of the gall bladder, jaundice with yellowness of skin, mild hepatitis, bilious headaches, aching pain in right shoulder of liver origin, skin diseases. Gonorrhoeal ophthalmia, as an eyewash 3-5 times daily. (T.J. Lyle)
Eye infections: traditional use – infusion as an eyewash. Warts, papillomas, condylomas and colonic polyposis.
Juice of fresh plant injected locally into cancer lesions gained a reputation in the old school. (U.S. Dispensatory 25, 1923)
Combination: with Barberry and Dandelion for gall bladder disease BHP (1983).
Preparations: Maximum dosage, dried herb: 2g (30 grains) thrice daily, by infusion. Daily dose not to exceed 6g.
Tea. Quarter of a teaspoon to each cup boiling water. Infuse 10 minutes; half-1 cup. Liquid extract: 15-30 drops, thrice daily.
Tincture BHP (1983). 1 part to 10 parts 45 per cent alcohol: 2-4ml, thrice daily. Ointment, for leg ulcer and skin diseases.
Fresh juice: warts, corns.
Side-effects, none; but large doses avoided. Note. Herb loses its efficacy after a few months. ... celandine, greater
Health Encyclopedia