Henna

Henna (Lawsonia inermis), small shrub from whose leaves an orange dye is extracted. The plant grows in Africa, southern Asia, and Australia. Its leaves are dried, then pounded and mixed with water to make a gumlike substance. This is applied to fabrics or to the skin and hair to dye it rust red. The use of henna as a cosmetic dates back to ancient Egypt, and its use is widespread in Asia and northern Africa, where many women paint intricate patterns on hands and feet, while men dye only the palms of the hands and the beard.