Henna, the art of body decoration

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Introduction Henna also known as Mehndi, has a long history of use in Eastern cultures, particularly in India, Arabia, and North Africa. But why is Henna so popular today? Some say, that it is simply a fashion trend inspired by Hollywood stars like Madonna, Liv Tyler, Demi Moore, and Prince. But these performers cannot be credited fully for the popularity of Henna for its use. Henna is still used in Eastern cultures, and in today’s multi-cultural society, it was just a matter of time before it was available in the western countries. It is a fundamental human urge to use the skin as a canvas for the artistic expression. Another attraction of is that it is not permanent. One can try out different designs without their being permanent or painful, which real tattoos can be. As we all know, fashion changes rapidly, and what is in vogue today may well be outdated tomorrow. With Henna one can change their design as their tastes and fashion demands. It is easy to apply yourself or with the help of a friends. Henna has become widely available in the late1990s due to the public demand. In major cities you can you can walk into some beauty salon and have a Henna design applied to your skin by a professional, for the right price. Henna will continue to be used in its traditional designs, as well as the more recently developed modern application methods, for many years to come. About Henna Plant Henna is a dried powder derived from a small shrub whose botanical name is Laesonia intermis. It is a member of the Loosestrife family, Lythraceae, grows to a height between 8 and 10 feet. Growing pre-dominantly in hot climates, the Henna plant can be found in countries like India, Pakistan, Iran, and Egypt and throughout North Africa. It is also cultivated in China, Indonesia, and the West Indies. As a result, it is widely used by the various cultures of all these nations. Obtained by crushing the dried leaves of the plant, Henna powder has been used as a cosmetic application to the skin as well as a conditioning treatment for the hair. Henna comes from a plant called Laesonia inermis. It is the member of Loosestrife family. There are three spices of this plant: Inermis, Alba, Spinoza. These are known as Red Henna, Neutral Henna, and Black Henna, depending upon the characteristic color each plant produces. These are ornamental shrubs and grow to a height between 6 to 10 feet and are native to India, Persia, Egypt, Australia, and Arabia. These are also cultivated throughout North Africa, Pakistan, and China. Henna can be grown easily in the backyard. Though the Henna plant grows well in the sun, it does not react well to humidity. In fact, one has to be careful about the amount of water the plant gets. Back to top