Henna

Henna decoration on hand

Henna is a shrub or small tree. It is leaves are ground to a powder which is used as a red dye to dye skin, hair, fingernails, leather and wool.

Names

Scientific
   Lawsonia inermis
English
   Egyptian privet
   Henna
   Henna tree
   Hina
   Mignonette tree
Dutch
   Henna
Spanish
   Alheña
   Arjeña
French
   Henné
German
   Hennastrauch
Italian
   Henna

Taxonomy

Genus
   Lawsonia
Family
   Lythraceae
Order
   Myrtales

Basic information and facts

Origin:

Henna originates from northern Africa, the near East and India.

Climate and weather:

Henna is a tropical plant a prefers semi-arid zones with high temperatures.

Height:

Henna grows as a shrub or small tree and is usually 2 to 7 meters tall.

Uses:

Henna is mainly used as a natural red dye. Henna is a dried powder made from fresh ground henna leaves. It is used as a dye to dye skin, hair, fingernails, leather and wool. To dye the skin, the powder is made into a paste that can be “painted” on the skin. After many hours of contact the skin will show a pattern of red color.
Henna flowers can be used in perfumes.

Crop categories

Dye crops
Tropical crops
Subtropical crops

Pictures