NATURAL HEENA HAS BEEN USED IN ORIENTAL COUNTRIES FOR CENTURIES FOR NATURAL COLOURING.
Henna is obtained, from a tropical shrub known by its botanical name of Lawsonia inermis. The plant reaches a height of one to two metres. Its leavas are dark green while the flowers are light pink. The characteristic aroma of the henna plant that encircles its plantations, is highly refreshing and stimulating.
CONDITIONS REQUIRED FOR CULTIVATION:
Cuttings of henna are planted in mid summer during the wet monsoon. It is mostly grown in eastern countries as well as in northen Africa. The plant can withstand extremes of heat. It requires natural fertilizer and a good supply of water.
Henna is obtained, from the plant three times a year. The yield harvested in May and June is the best. The quality is not so high when leaves are picked in August and September. It suffer a further deterioration when leaves are obtained in December and January.
HENNA POWDER:
Henna leaves are thoroughly cleaned and dried before they are powdered. The drier the Henna leaves are, the finer the powder is, and better the henna will dye. Impurities like roots, sand dust or weeds etc. make the quality of dye inferior. The leaves are not power before these are fully dry.
It is very important to dry the leaves under shade so these may ground better5 and finer. The beautifying properties of henna were even acknowledged in ancient times. The emperor and queens of Persia used it as a body scrub. When Buddhism was flourishing, henna was believed to bring about success and victory, and was used during religious rituals. Cleopatra, the famous Egyptian queen, also used henna to beautify her enthralling hair. The use of henna still thrives in the eastern societies and considered tremendously important there because people adhere to their customs and heritage. It is a necessity in wedding ceremonies and is used to adorn the hands and feet of brides by means of attractive designs and patterns. Oriental poets have also been praising the charm of henna in their poetry through the ages.