What is henna, and how does it work?

Henna comes from a plant of the privet family. Henna has been known for centuries for its medicinal properties, as a cosmetic, its use in body art and its superb hair conditioning and coloring properties.

Henna is the Persian name that is now used in many languages to describe a the small flowering shrub (Lawsonia inermis). The Henna plant is found in many parts of the world including Australia, the Mediterranean, Africa and also in Southern United States. There are many varieties of the henna plant grown in different regions that result in different coloring properties and different colors of powder. Pure natural henna powder can be bright to deep green, khaki or brown. Natural pure henna powders renders stains that are orange, red, burgundy, cinnamon, bittersweet chocolate brown, burgundy-black, black cherry and near black colors. BLACK stains are not produced by pure and natural henna powder. Learn more about "Black Henna" and what it can do to you.

Powder from the henna plant can be fine or coarse. Stains from henna powder made into paste are the result of the dye in the henna powder releasing when added to water or lemon juice and then applied to the skin or hair.

Copyright © 2001-2005... All documents, text, pictures, designs enclosed are the property of Maureen Jones, EveryDay Mehndi,(unless otherwise indicated and may not be copied or used for any purposes without the written permission of Maureen Jones or the artist or writer indicated. Henna artists are welcomed to use patterns and designs for their own work but must at all times give credit to the original creator of the work. Site design by sleeping baby productions