Mahānīla Ghṛta · महानील घृत
severe Kushtha — incurable form; Shvitra (leucoderma).
Henna (Madyantika)
Mādayantikā मादयन्तिका
Lawsonia inermis · Lythraceae
Common: Henna · Mehndi
shrub leaf shita cultivated
Rasa-Panchaka — five-fold pharmacology
- Rasa
- kashaya · tikta— tastes at first contact
- Guna
- laghu · ruksha— qualities
- Virya
- shita— potency (cooling)
- Vipaka
- katu— post-digestive effect
Dosha effect
V
Vata
·neutral
P
Pitta
↓pacifies
K
Kapha
↓pacifies
pacifies (↓) aggravates (↑) neutral (·)
Functions
hair dye (orange-red)anti-greying (with indigo)anti-fungal
Henna. Lawsone (2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) binds to keratin → orange-red dye. Combined with Nilini (indigo) for true black. Avoid PPD-adulterated commercial henna.
Used in 6 recipes
Mukha-saundaryakara Lepa · मुख-सौन्दर्यकर लेप
general dullness; uneven complexion.
Nīla Ghṛta · नील घृत
severe Kushtha; Shvitra (leucoderma) — repigmentation.
Palita-hara Taila · पलितहर तैल
premature greying; Palita (hair-greying reversal).
Keśa-prakṣālana Cūrṇa · केश-प्रक्षालन चूर्ण
daily hair washing; anti-dandruff.
Vibhītaka Taila (Palita-hara) · विभीतक तैल
obstinate premature greying; hair-thickening.