Mehndi
Cultivated as hedge plant in the gardens and also as a commercial dye crop in the area. A much branched shrub or small tree. Leaves opposite, sessile, lanceolate with entire margins. It has small white or pinkish fragrant flowers in large terminal branches. Fruits are small, rounded and purplish green to brownish, containing numerous seeds. Flowering and fruiting in August to December.
Part used: Bark, Leaf, Flower and Seed
Usage: In Ayurveda, leaves are used to treat leucoderma. Paste of leaves applied over eyelids to cure conjunctivitis. Leaf paste applied on soles relieves burning sensation. This paste is also beneficial in the treatment of prickly heat, skin problems like boils, bum, rheumatic joints, bruises and inflammatory swellings. Henna also helps in the treatment of baldness. The decoction of leaves is used as a gargle in sore throat.
Bark of plant is useful in treatment of jaundice and liver enlargement. Flowers cure headache caused by heat of the sun. Powder of seed is very effective in treatment of dysentery and is used as an antifertility agent. Henna as a colouring agent, it is mixed with other natural dyes to make a hair dye and even for textiles.
Agrotechniques : Seed sown in the month of March-April. Saplings transplanted in the field at 30 x 30 cm spacing in the month of August. It can also be grown easily from stem cuttings. One or two irrigation and weeding required after rainy season. The leaves are cut in the month of March-April and should dry in the shade so as to retain green colour of
leaves.