HISTORY OF HENNA:

Henna was first introduced to India in the 12th century, and has been used for its natural healing properties. Historians claim that Henna was used to stain the fingers and toes of the pharaohs prior to mummification in Ancient Egypt. Henna is derived from a plant that is crushed to form a powder.Intricate Henna designs were originally used on brides as part of the marriage ceremony, but today Henna is becoming popular among western culture, including celebrities. Madonna was the first celebrity that got Henna done.

There are three main traditions that can be recognized, aside from the modern use of henna as a trendy temporary tattoo. Generally, Arabic (Middle-eastern) mehndi features large, floral patterns on hands and feet, while Indian (Asian) mehndi uses fine line, lacy, floral patterns covering entire hands, forearms, feet and shins; and African mehndi art is large, and bold with geometrically patterned angles.

In many eastern places, Henna is thought to have medicinal properties. It is used to heal skin diseases and helps thin hair. It is also known to have a cooling effect on the skin. Henna is also made into a beverage to soothe headaches and stomach pain.

please note: The information above is derived from many different sources.