Henna, an Arabic word commonly recognized as mehndi in Urdu, name of the same plant that is also familiar as lawsonia. Its plant is approximately two meters high, when harvested spreads refreshing odour. History depicts its practice some five thousand years before. Largely planted in Subcontinent, distinctively in Near Eastern regions like Pakistan and India. Henna leaves are cultivated twice or thrice a year. Its quality varies area wise giving its finest production in hot climates. Henna leaves when plucked from its plant are dried and cleaned from straws and dust. Then grinded in special grinding units resulting in powder form.

Apart from its traditional use i.e. hair dyeing and hair conditioning; another use of henna has been discovered recently and that is a modern body art of artificial tattooing. Henna gives stunning impressions of dark red and reddish brown colour on human skin between 1- 3 hours after application. The patterns get darker in shade if application time is increased. The designs become softer in tone after four to ten days of time. Henna gives cool and soothing feelings, kills dandruff, stops falling of hair and leaves refreshing fragrance due to its natural properties.

In Sub-continent, no marriage ceremony takes place without henna festivities. Besides decorating hands and feet of brides and grooms, young girls and women sing and dance to celebrate the opening function of marriages named as RASM-E-HENNA. Henna is commonly used in all religions but in Islam it has a very special importance and is used as The Sunnah of The Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

There is no such thing like BLACK HENNA. In order to produce black shade on the hair and skin, some companies add PPD (name of a chemical) in henna. This PPD is injurious to human health and skin. In order to get best results out of henna, one must avoid use of chemicals in it. Always use and rely on natural henna only.