Henna tree
It’s thought that using dried leaves from the henna tree as a temporary skin dye dates back nearly 4000 years.
Intricate patterns are painted onto the skin using a henna leaf paste in numerous traditions, including Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism.
The henna tree is found all across Asia, as well as northern regions of Africa and Australia.
Along with skin, henna is used to dye hair and fabrics.
As a member of the Lythraceae family, henna is closely related to the pomegranate.
Plant description
Henna grows as a small tree or shrub, between 2 to 8 metres in height. The leaves are smooth, a rounded lance-shape and grow in pairs on the stem which has spiked ends.
Henna flowers are small, around 3 mm across, with white oval petals. The fruits are small, brown capsules that split open to reveal many seeds.
Plant uses
Beauty and cosmetics
Dye made from henna leaves has been used for thousands of years as temporary skin art.
Powder from henna leaves can be used as a temporary hair dye.
Cultural
Henna dye is worn by people of the Muslim faith. Men wear it in their beards, and women dye their nails.
Henna skin art is used in wedding rituals in a number of cultures, including Sikhism, Hinduism and Islam.
Materials and fuels
Powdered henna leaves are used to dye fabrics.
Did you know?
The scientific name of the genus Lawson was given to the henna tree by Carl Linneaus in honour of his friend Isaac Lawson.
The species name inermis means ‘toothless’, referring to the plants lack of thorns.
Where in the world?
Grows in semi-arid zones and tropical areas
