What is henna made of?

Answer 1

Henna is made from the Henna Bush. the leaves are picked, then spread on a large tray and left under the scorching heat of the sun until dried and brown. These leaves are then pounded to break into very small bits and then grounded finely. The henna is usually stored in a dry place ready for each use.

A a paste is made from the henna powder, the resulting paste is Henna which is applied by putting into cones for the hands and in a bowl for the hair and feet.

The hand made paste is then applied by a skilled henna artist who makes fine intricate designs and patterns on the hands. The design can go up to the wrist or about two inches further up the lower arm.

Henna application is especially applied on Eid days and weddings. Before the day of the wedding there is a Henna Party when the bride gets her Henna, along with others family members, applied at her home.

The henna is prepared differently for the hair. These days, some women make it at home, then take it to a hair salon where they will apply it as they do a normal hair dye. It is left on for several hours, then washed off.

Henna darkens each day after (over three days) to get the full colour. Then eventually it gradually fades naturallly.