HENNA: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Henna is the powdered leaf of a certain plant. It is used to make medicine.

Don't confuse henna with henna root (Alkanna tinctoria), also referred to as alkanna root.

Henna is used for stomach ulcers, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis), bed sores, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. There is also concern that using henna is unsafe when taken by mouth.

In manufacturing, henna is used in cosmetics, hair dyes, and hair care products. It is also used as a dye for nails, skin, and clothing.

How does it work ?

Henna contains substances that might help fight certain infections. There is also some information that henna might decrease the growth of tumors, prevent or reduce spasms, decrease inflammation, and relieve pain.

View References

REFERENCES:

Goldscheider I, Herzinger T, Varga R, et al. Childhood lichen planus pemphigoides: report of two cases treated successfully with systemic glucocorticoids and dapsone. Pediatr Dermatol. 2014;31(6):751-3. View abstract.

Akpolat ND, Aras A. Local hypertrichosis: A rare complication of a temporary henna tattoo. Turk J Pediatr. 2016;58(4):413-414. View abstract.

Arslan S, Zorba Bahceli P, Ilik Y, Artaç M. The preliminary effects of henna on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in women receiving oxaliplatin-based treatment: A parallel-group, randomized, controlled pilot trial. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2020 Oct;48:101827. View abstract.

Asgari S, Esfandbod M, Haghshomar M. Henna-induced hemolysis and acute kidney injury in an 85-year-old man; A case report. Arch Acad Emerg Med. 2020 Oct 14;8(1):e82. View abstract.

Clarke DT, Jones GR, Martin MM. The anti-sickling drug lawsone (2-OH-1,4-naphthoquinone) protects sickled cells against membrane damage. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1986;139:780-6. View abstract.

Cronin E. Immediate type hypersensitivity to henna. Contact Dermatitis 1979;5:198-9.

Etienne A, Piletta P, Hauser C, Pasche-Koo F. Ectopic contact dermatitis from henna. Contact Dermatitis 1997;:183.

Garcia Ortiz JC, Terron M, Bellido J. Contact allergy to henna. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 1997;114:298-9. View abstract.

Gupta BN, Mathur AK, Agarwal C, Singh A. Contact sensitivity to henna. Contact Dermatitis 1986;15:303-4.

Ilyas S, Wasif K, Saif MW. Topical henna ameliorated capecitabine-induced hand-foot syndrome. Cutan Ocul Toxicol. 2014;33(3):253-5. View abstract.

Kandil HH, al-Ghanem MM, Sarwat MA, al-Thallab FS. Henna (Lawsonia inermis Linn.) inducing haemolysis among G6PD-deficient newborns. A new clinical observation. Ann Trop Paediatr 1996;16:287-91. View abstract.

Katar S, Devecioglu C, Ozbek MN, Ecer S. Henna causes life-threatening hyperbilirubinaemia in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2007;32(2):235-6. View abstract.

Kheir A, Gaber I, Gafer S, Ahmed W. Life-threatening haemolysis induced by henna in a Sudanese child with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. East Mediterr Health J. 2017;23(1):28-30. View abstract.

Khine YY. Acute Kidney Injury following Ingestion of Henna Leaf Extract: A Case Report from Myanmar. Blood Purif. 2017;44 Suppl 1:41-45. View abstract.

Kind F, Scherer K, Bircher AJ. Contact dermatitis to para-phenylenediamine in hair dye following sensitization to black henna tattoos - an ongoing problem. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2012;10(8):572-8. View abstract.

Kubat S, Aksu H, Hasbal NB. Acute renal failure due to henna stone ingestion as a remedy of diabetes. Nefrologia. 2020 Jul 20:S0211-6995(20)30083-7. View abstract.

Lestringant GG, Bener A, Frossard PM. Cutaneous reactions to henna and associated additives. Br J Dermatol 1999;141:598-600.

Lewin PK. Temporary henna tattoo with permanent scarification. CMAJ 1999;160:310.

Lyon MJ, Shaw JC. Allergic contact dermatitis reaction to henna. Arch Dermatol 2000;136:124-5.

Majoie IM, Bruynzeel DP. Occupational immediate-type hypersensitivity to henna in a hairdresser. Am J Contact Dermat 1996;7:38-40. View abstract.

Niazi M, Mehrabani M, Namazi MR, et al. Efficacy of a topical formulation of henna (Lawsonia inermis L.) in contact dermatitis in patients using prosthesis: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. Complement Ther Med. 2020 Mar;49:102316. View abstract.

Nigam PK, Saxena AK. Allergic contact dermatitis from henna. Contact Dermatitis 1988;18:55-6.

Pasricha JS, Gupta R, Panjwani S. Contact dermatitis to henna (Lawsonia). Contact Dermatitis 1980;6:288-9.

Poursadra E, Anvari-Tafti M, Dehghani A, Eghbali-Babadi M, Rafiei Z. Comparing the effect of henna oil and olive oil on pressure ulcer grade one in intensive care units patients. Adv Biomed Res. 2019 Nov 27;8:68. View abstract.

Raupp P, Hassan JA, Varughese M, Kristiansson B. Henna causes life threatening haemolysis in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Arch Dis Child 2001;85:411-2.. View abstract.

Rund D, Schaap T, Da'as N, Ben Yehuda D, Kalish J. Plasma exchange as treatment for Lawsone (henna) intoxication. J Clin Apher. 2007;22(4):243-5. View abstract.

Sharma VK. Tuberculostatic activity of henna (Lawsonia inermis Linn.). Tubercle 1990;71:293-5. View abstract.

Uygur-Bayramicli O, Dabak R, Sargin M. Acute chemical colitis resulting from oral intake of henna. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2005;39(10):920-1. View abstract.

Wantke F, Gotz M, Jarisch R. Contact dermatitis due to henna, solvent red 1 and solvent red 3, a case report. Contact Dermatitis 1992;27:346-7.

Zibanejad S, Miraj S, Rafieian Kopaei M. Healing effect of Quercus persica and Lawsonia inermis ointment on episiotomy wounds in primiparous women. J Res Med Sci. 2020 Feb 20;25:11. View abstract.

Chronic Conditions Common in Minorities

What Vitamins Do You Need as You Age?

Follow a Healthy Path

Think You Have a Vitamin B12 Deficiency?

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS CENTER

DRUGS AND MEDICATIONS CENTER

FIRST AID RESOURCES

RELATED TO VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS

HENNA

Overview

How does it work ?

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Insufficient Evidence for

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

Interactions ?

Moderate Interaction

Lithium interacts with HENNA

Dosing

You Might Also Like

WebMD Special Sections

Health Solutions

More from WebMD