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Published 17 January 2021
Lawsonia inermis Linn belongs to the family Lythraceae. It could be a shrub or small tree. The older branchlets are spinescent. The leaves are opposite, elliptic to oblanceolate and glabrous. The panicle flowers are creamy-white and sweet scented while the fruits are globose. It is widely cultivated as a dye-plant (Henna).
Lawsonia inermis is named after the Scottish physician Isaac Lawson by his good friend Linnaeus. It is a well known ethnomedicinal plant used cosmetically and medicinally. It has a common traditional usage throughout the world. Though its history and usage span all around the Middle East, its oldest reported use dates back to 1200 BC when it was utilised in Egypt to dye the hair and nails of Pharaohs and also during the mummification process. It was even said that Cleopatra used henna to adorn her body.