Henna, also called Hina, Mignoneter, Al-Hanna or Privet in some regions, is a dye from the flowering plant of the same name. Its botanical Latin name is Lawsonia inermis. For growth, it requires temperatures between around 33 to 45 degrees. It is a shrub that can grow up to 25 feet high, with spiny branches, elliptical leaves and the small round fruit that bear the seeds.
There are a few competing theories as to the true origins of henna as a skin dye. Some people believe that it was first used in India, while other researchers contend that its origin lay in Egypt and it reached India only through later migrations. There is also a theory that it originated in North Africa. No one can know for sure, and these ideas are generally traced to cave paintings that appear to demonstrate the use of henna for body decoration.
One of the earliest pieces of evidence that shows Henna used in such a cosmetic fashion is from analysis of mummies with henna stains on their hands, and these are dated at over 5000 years old. In fact use of henna only depends on where it can grow, and this is limited to hot and dry regions of the world. This seems to confirm the theory that henna truly originated in Egypt.
Comments
Post a Comment