Henna

Henna or Hina (Lawsonia inermis) is a flowering plant, the genus Lawsonia in the family Lythraceae. Henna is a tall shrub or small tree, 2–6 m high. Henna is commercially cultivated in western India, Pakistan, Morocco, Yemen, Iran, Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan and Libya, It is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, southern Asia, and northern Australasia in semi-arid zones. It has been used to dye skin, hair, fingernails, leather, silk and wool. Henna flowers have been used to create perfume since ancient times. Henna has been used for body art and hair dye since the Bronze Age. Whole, unbroken henna leaves will not stain the skin. Henna will not stain skin until the lawsone molecules are made available (released) from the henna leaf. Fresh henna leaves will stain the skin if they are smashed with a mildly acidic liquid. This will stain skin within moments.
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