Standardization of herbal formulation is essential in order to assess the quality of drugs, based on the concentration of their active principles. The present paper reports on standardization of henna (Lawsonia inermis Linn family: - Lythraceae) powder. In the present study four marketed samples of Henna powder were procured and standardized as per W.H.O., ayurvedic pharmacopoeia of India guidelines on the following parameters viz. organoleptic characters, physical characteristics, physico-chemical properties, Preliminary Phytochemical Analysis And by Thin Layer Chromatographic study (TLC). These parameters were found to be sufficient to evaluate the henna powder and can be used as reference standards for the quality control/quality assurance.
A paste made of henna leaves is used for coloring the skin, hair and fingernails. Henna body art is presently popular as adornment for weddings and other celebrations in India, South Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
Henna has been used cosmetically and medicinally for over 9,000 years. Archaeological and anthropological evidence indicate that henna traditions had early origins in the Mediterranean, Nubia, Libya, Tunisia, Arabia, Assyria, Mesopotamia, Persia, and India. Henna’s use and traditions began in the late Neolithic period, are included in all ancient and modern religions in these areas."
