Henna
PH
PureHealthness Editorial Team · Health writers & reviewers
📝 Last reviewed: August 2026
✔ Transparent sourcing · Some articles are AI-drafted, then reviewed & fact-checked by our team
📝 Last reviewed: August 2026
Henna's leaves stain skin a rich reddish-brown — the art of mehndi adorns hands for weddings across South Asia and the Middle East. It also conditions and colours hair naturally.
🔬 Plant facts
| Scientific name | Lawsonia inermis |
|---|---|
| Type | Shrub/small tree |
| Family | Lythraceae |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Water | Drought tolerant |
| Height | 2–6 m |
| Flower | Fragrant white flowers |
| Uses | Body art, hair dye |
| Growth | Fast-growing shrub |
| Best season | Year-round in tropics |
💊 Henna in the medicine industry
Henna leaves contain lawsone, a natural dye used on skin and hair; henna is also used in traditional medicine for skin conditions, and its oil is used in perfumes and hair care.
🌱 Growing & care tips
Henna needs full sun, dry conditions and well-drained soil; it grows as a shrub and the leaves are harvested and dried for powder.
🍽️ How to use it
Henna powder is mixed into a paste for mehndi body art and hair dye; henna oil conditions hair; the flowers scent oils and perfumes.
💡 Did you know? Henna has been used as body art for over 5,000 years — the word 'henna' comes from Arabic, and Egyptian mummies have been found with henna-dyed hair.
⚠️ Henna safety note: Natural henna is safe on skin and hair, but 'black henna' containing PPD is dangerous — it can cause severe allergic reactions and permanent scars. Always use natural red henna.
⚠️ Important: Herbal and plant remedies can interact with medicines. Always ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any plant product for health purposes — especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking prescription drugs.
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