Description and references
Dried powdered leaves of Lawsonia alba Lam., L. inermis L., and L. spinosa L., Lythraceae. Obtained from North Africa or India. Contains
about 1% of lawsone, q.v. Ref: Cox, Analyst 63, 397 (1938); Talaat, Br. Med. J. II, 944 (1960).
Use
For dyeing hair and nails auburn to red, in the
Orient together with “reng,” the dried, powdered leaves of the indigo
plant, in order to produce darker and even bluish-black shades. For
relatively permanent dyeing the pH must be about 5.5; this is achieved
by the addition of citric, boric, or adipic acid. Ingredient of many
commercial hair rinses.