Lawsonia inermis L. is a much branched glabrous shrub or small tree, cultured for its leaves although stem bark, roots, flowers and seeds have also been used in traditional medicine. It has been traditionally reported in use of headache, hemicranias, lumbago, bronchitis, boils, ophthalmia, syphilitis, sores, amenorrhea, scabies, diseases of the spleen, dysuria, bleeding disorder, skin diseases, diuretic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-amoebiasis, astringent, anti-hemorrhagic, hypotensive and sedative effect. The plant is reported to contain Lawsone, Esculetin, Fraxetin, Isoplumbagin, Scopoletin, Betulin, Betulinic acid, Hennadiol, Lupeol, Lacoumarin, Laxanthone, Flavone glycosides, two pentacytic triterpenes. The plant is reported to contain carbohydrates, proteins, flavonoids, tannins and phenolic compounds, alkaloids, terpenoids, quinones, coumarins, xanthones and fatty acids. The plant has been reported to have analgesic, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, immunostimulant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, antitrypanosomal, antidermatophytic, antioxidant, antifertility, tuberculostatic and anticancer properties. It is now measured as a valuable source of exclusive natural products for growth of medicines against various diseases and also for the development of industrial products. This review gives a bird's eye vision mainly on the pharmacognostic characteristics, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological actions of the plant.
