Henna, lawsonia inermis, is a large bush or small tree native to hot, dry climates across North and East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, the southern areas of the Middle East, and South Asia. The leaves of the henna plant have been used to dye hair for over five thousand years.

Henna probably originated in North Africa, based on the greater genetic diversity in henna in the North African oases than in other regions. Humans probably first developed their use of henna during one of the ‘moist’ phases in the region of the Sahara; the most recent ‘greening’ was from nine thousand to about five thousand years ago.

The lawsone will bind to keratin in hair and stain it some tone of red-orange, light coppery orange to dark auburn, depending on the base hair color, keratin structure, and the paste mixture.

Where and how is henna is grown? Can you grow enough henna in a pot on your porch to dye your hair? Can you plant henna seeds in your garden and go into business selling henna? 
 
Click HERE or on the image above to learn about the botany and cultivation of henna.

Why can you not just mix lawsone into shampoo or conditioner and dye your hair?  Acidic hydrolysis and hennocide precursors in the henna leaf are crucial!

Even if you get henna from a health food store,  there may be little or no henna in the package, and it may be impossible to work with.

Click HERE or on the image above and read pages 10 - 33 to learn more about what adulterants may be in a box labeled henna.

Click HERE to read a master's thesis on henna