Henna

Lawsonia inermis

Also known as Mehndi, Egyptian privet, Mignonette tree, Al-Khanna

At a glance

Family

Lythraceae (loosestrife family)

Type

Shrub or small tree

Parts used

Leaves, dried and powdered

Size

6 to 20 feet tall, often kept smaller under cultivation

Bloom

Small, fragrant white or pink flower clusters in warm months

Habitat

Dry, sunny scrubland and riverbanks across North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia

Acquisition

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Traditional remedies in HerbSense

Key benefits

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Traditional hair conditioning

Warm reddish hair tint

Cooling to skin

Traditional skin and nail stain

Traditional uses

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Henna has been prized for thousands of years across North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, where its crushed leaves release a reddish-orange dye called lawsone. Egyptian mummies, including that of Ramesses II, were found with henna-stained hair and nails, and brides across many cultures have had their hands and feet adorned with henna paste for luck and celebration. Beyond decoration, the leaves and their cooling paste were traditionally applied to the scalp, palms, and soles in hot climates, valued as much for their soothing feel as for their color. It remains one of the oldest continuously used body art and hair care traditions in the world.

How to grow & use it

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✦ Growing guide
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Pairs well with

✦Indigo
✦Amla (Indian gooseberry)
✦Cassia obovata

Substitutes

✦Cassia obovata (neutral henna, for conditioning without red tint)
✦Indigo (for deepening color toward black or brown)

Choose it when

“When you want a stain born of sun and leaf, not a bottle off a shelf.”

Did you know?

Henna-stained hair and nails have been found on Egyptian mummies more than 3,000 years old, including the pharaoh Ramesses II, making it one of the oldest cosmetic traditions still practiced today.

Safety

Pure henna applied to skin or hair is generally safe, but people with G6PD deficiency, including infants, can have serious reactions and should avoid it. Avoid 'black henna,' which is often adulterated with PPD and can cause severe allergic reactions and scarring; henna is not meant to be taken internally.