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Henna (Heena Fai)
I was making my way down a trail at the edge of a large plantation in Sun
Island. Then
a pleasant freshness with the wind caught my breath, a fruit
bat flew over me and bees buzzed near my ears and again sat on the noni
flowers. A dragonfly skitted across the surface of collected pools along the
sides of the trail, a koel started singing its melodious song from within
the banana grove. The sky was as brightly blue as it can only get in Sun
Island, Maldives in this season. Yes!!! A wonderful scent caught my
attention; it was a, very "floral" and sweet scent. "Mignonette" - I learned
later. The tree that carried the sweet-smelling blossoms grew to a height of
about 2 meters, with fine branches and small leaves. The blossoms were
grouped in small clusters and were white in colour. I realised I was looking
at the henna tree, whose scientific name is Lawsonia inermis. It is a
shrubby tree, the only species in the Lythraceae family. It is also commonly
called “Egyptian privet” or “mignonette tree”. A perfume is isolated from
the flowers, which is used as the base for many local scents. The fresh
leaves are ground into a fine powder and then mixed to form a dark brown
paste. This paste had a cooling effect and was originally just used to paint
the soles of feet,the tips of the fingers, nails and plam. Many medicinal
powers are ascribed to henna, from the treatment of bee-stings, burns and
boils to that of headaches, hysteria and tumors. It was claimed to have
positive effects in smallpox and leprosy, in jaundice and venereal disease,
and was used as a deodorant, an aphrodisiac and an astringent. The use of
the juices of the henna plant to dye hair and nails was discovered some 5000
years ago in Egypt. From there the practice spread over most of North Africa
and the Middle East, and was brought to India with the spread of Islam. The
henna tree is considered to be one of the "plants of Paradise”,and it was
forbidden to damage or cut down a tree or use its wood as fuel. Nowadays
henna drawings are made on hands, resulting in pretty decorations that last
for many days. The henna designs are particularly complicated and extensive
when they are applied on the occasion of a wedding ceremony in India. On the
internet has many photo galleries of designs as well as many information on
use of henna as a cosmetic and a medicinal herb. Recent medical research has
proved that henna extracts show antibacterial, anti-fungal and UV light
screening activity. Besides that the shrub is popular in our gardens because
of its white or pink blossoms, its cluster of red and orange fruits and
especially its lingering sweet smell.
Related Links:
> Exploring The Magical Island
> Fauna of Sun Island
< Exotic Flora of Sun Island
- Annona glabra ( Kalhuhuthu Meyvaa)
- Banana (Faiykeyo gas)
- Bilimbi (Bilamagu)
- Bougainvillea (Dhaahiliyyaamaa)
- Breadfruit (Bambukeyo)
- Cape Gooseberry (Muraaki)
- Coconut (Dhivehi Ruh)
- Curry Leaves (Hikandhi Faiy)
- Custard Apple (Dhivehi Atha)
- Flamboyant Tree (Reethigas)
- Frangipani (Gulchampa)
- Ginger Thomas (Bokarumaa)
- Guava (Feyru)
- Guettarda speciosa (Uni)
- Helianthus debilis ( Lanka Mirihi)
- Henna (Heena Fai)
- Hibiscus (Saima)
- Jamaica cherry (Jeymu)
- Jamaican Mountain Sage (Lantana Camara)
- Jasmine ( Huvandhu Maa)
- Lemon Grass
- Lime (Lumbo)
- Madagascan Periwinkle (Malikuruvaa)
- Mango (Anbu)
- Noni Fruit (Ahivah)
- Papaya (Falho)
- Passion Fruit (Jumhooreemevaa)
- Poinciana pulcherrima L. (Fathanguma)
- Queen of the night ( Husnuheena )
- Rampe
- Sapodilla (Sabudheli)
- Scaevola sericea ( Magoo)
- Scewpine (Maa/Boa Kashikeyo)
- Sea Hibiscus (Dhigga)
- Tamarind (Helenbeli)
- Taro (Olhu Ala)
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