| The primary use of Henna (lawsonia inermis) | | | | several centuries. Having antiseptic, astringent, |
| today is as ornamental hedges, but it is probably | | | | antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, Henna as a |
| best known for the dried, ground leaves it | | | | paste mixture is often used on, or for bruises, |
| produces containing a red-orange dye molecule | | | | burns, athlete's foot, fever, to help lower body |
| which is known as lawsone, traditionally used to | | | | temperature and headaches. Some of the |
| create colour-fast orange, red and brown dyes. | | | | stranger uses in some cultures have been using it |
| The actual staining properties are derived from | | | | for quelling hysteria or a violent temper. |
| the compound 2-hydroxy-1, 4-naphthoquinone | | | | Some other interesting uses of Henna are that it |
| (this is the lawsone), hennotannic acid, or natural | | | | can repel some insect pests and mildew and also |
| orange 6. | | | | can be used to decorate candles, baskets, picture |
| It is a tall shrub or small tree, growing from 2-6 | | | | frames, lamp shades, curtains, jeans and purses. |
| meters high which produces flowers that have | | | | Henna tattooing has been popular among young |
| four sepals and a 2 mm calyx tube. Henna's | | | | women for thousands of years and continues to |
| indigenous zone is the tropical savannah and | | | | grow in popularity even today. Henna body art is |
| tropical arid zone, in latitudes between 15 and 25 | | | | made by applying henna paste to the skin after |
| degrees N and S from Africa to the western | | | | which the lawsone in the paste migrates into the |
| Pacific Rim and produces its highest dye content | | | | outermost layer of the skin producing a |
| in temperatures of between 35C and 45C. | | | | red-brown stain. |
| Henna has many traditional and commercial uses, | | | | Henna is also often used as a hair dye as well as |
| the most common being as a dye for hair, skin | | | | treatment for scalp problems such as dandruff, to |
| and fingernails, as a dye and preservative for | | | | increase hair growth and reduce hair loss. Henna |
| leather and cloth, and as an anti-fungal. | | | | hair dye is completely natural and safe and is a |
| It has been used to adorn young women's bodies | | | | perfect alternative hair dye to use especially |
| as part of social and holiday celebrations since the | | | | during pregnancy, as it is made from natural |
| late Bronze Age in the eastern Mediterranean | | | | vegetable dyes as opposed to chemical dyes and |
| area and it has been traced back to the ancient | | | | unlike many chemical hair dyes, henna does not |
| Egyptian queens of Cleopatra and Nefertiti who | | | | contain bio-available lead acetate, which can be |
| used it to enhance their hair colour, colour their lips | | | | harmful to the foetus, particularly the nervous |
| and also colour their nails. Even today in some | | | | system and brain. |
| cultures, Henna symbolises prosperity, fertility, | | | | Henna hair dye will also slowly fade away to your |
| happiness, fortune, seduction and beauty. | | | | hair's original colour, but will not leave any lines or |
| Henna has many medicinal properties and has | | | | stripes likesynthetic dye often does. |
| been used in India, for example, as such for | | | | |