Lawsonia inermis, a flowering plant and the single species of the genus Lawsonia, is sometimes referred to as hina, the henna tree, the mignonette tree, and the Egyptian privet. Native to North Africa and South East Asia, henna is frequently grown as an ornamental plant in India, Persia, and along the Mediterranean Sea coast of Africa. Henna is a tall shrub or small tree that can reach heights of 6.25 to 18.8 meters. It has several branches with spine-tipped branchlets and is glabrous. It is the source of the henna dye, which is used to color silk, wool, leather, human skin, hair, and fingernails, among other materials. When cultivated at temperatures between 35 and 45 °C, it yields the most dye.
According to ayurveda, henna is cooling and has therapeutic benefits for treating kidney stones, jaundice, wounds, and to stop skin irritation. Leprosy, renal calculus, obstinate skin illnesses, jaundice, spleen enlargement, and other conditions are traditionally treated with henna bark. Henna contains Glycosides, coloring (Lawsone), Hennotannic acid, and essential oils comprising -Ionone, according to scientific research. These aid Lawsonia in developing its pharmacological characteristics.