Henna (Mehndi) is a dye prepared from the plant Lawsoniainermis, also known as the henna tree, the mignonette tree, and the Egyptian privet, the only species of Lawsonia. Henna can also mean temporary body art that results from the appearance of skin from mud (see also mehndi). Henna has been used from antiquity to dye, hair, and leopard skin, as well as fabrics including silk, wool and leather.
Historically, henna was used in the Arabian Peninsula, in the Indian subcontinent, in the Near East, in Carthage, in other parts of North Africa and in the Horn of Africa. The term is applied to other skin and hair dyes, such as black henna and neutral henna, wherever the henna plant comes from. Leafless henna leaves will not put on the skin.
Leafless henna leaves will not put on the skin. Henna will not dry the skin until the synthetic lawone molecules are found (extracted) from the henna leaves. However, dried henna leaves will soften the skin when washed in the paste. Lawone will gradually transfer from the henna paste to the outer part of the skin and bind to the protein in it, creating a stain.
– Tejasvi Gurjar
