HENNA BLOSSOM

Henna shrub is called as Mehandi in Hindi. Henna/Mehandi is the symbol of family auspicious occasions like Puberty, wedding, Bangle ceremony/valaikappu  The flowers of henna are seen in clusters. The blossom of the henna shrub is the most fragrant flowers in the world.

"Henna blossoms have been used in perfumes since 1500 BC. They were the Prophet Mohammed's favorite scent. Henna flower attars are called Gulhina Attar and are produced commercially in Uttar Pradesh, India."

                                                                                                                             source The Henna Page

Henna flowers have four sepals and a 2 mm calyx tube with 3 mm spread lobes. It's petals are obovate with white or red stamens found in pairs on the rim of the calyx tube. The ovary is four celled, 5 mm long and erect, Henna fruits are small brownish red capsules 4-8 mm in diameter with 32-49 seeds per fruit and open irregularly into four slits.

Family: Lythraceae

The Scientific name of the Henna shrub: Lawsonia Inermis.

                                                                                                                            source Wikipedia

Henna flowers are having an amazing remedy for insomnia. Siddha and Ayurvedha specialists assure that dried henna flowers and packed in sachets and kept beneath  the head or in bed. These undried henna flowers in sachet are inducing sound sleep. This is the natural method to avoid the sleeping pills and its side effects.