What is the history of mehndi( henna) colouration?

What is the history of mehndi( henna) colouration?

PROF WAQAR HUSSAIN

 No clear answer is available. However, there are certain historical clues: First; Mehndi got birth in ancient India as a ceremonial art. Second, Mehndi was introduced in India by Mughal in 12^{th; some} says 15^th century. Third, Mehndi originated by ancient Egyptians who used to stain the fingers and toes.

        Fourth, The tradition of Mehndi started off in North Africa and the Middle East. It is believed to have been in use as a cosmetic hair dye for 6000 years.

        

 Fifth, the area in which it was used, give some idea about its origin. Henna was used for decorative purposes in the Roman Empire, Convivencia-period Iberia and Ancient Egypt, as well as other parts of North Africa, the Horn of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, the Near East and South Asia. One can say that it has been in use in Afro-Asian region. 

        Sixth, its etymology will also give some idea about its beginning. The word mehndi is derived from Sanskrit word mendhika. It is called henna (حِنَّاء) ‎   in Arabic. The world henna is also used in Urdu and in English or you can call it alkanet (a dyeing matter extracted from the root of Alkanna tinctoria which gives a fine deep colour.)Sanskrit word mehndi shows that it might have been originated in Indian peninsula and Arabic word Henna hints about its starting place to be Arabian Peninsula or horn of Africa. However absence of proper English word shows that it had not launched from Europe. It is also known as mignonette tree, Egyptian privet, etc.         

 Seventh, its taxonomy, morphology, physiology, abundance and growth pattern will also depict it origin. Henna is a tropical plant, member of family Lythraceae; genus Lawsonia and specie Lawsonia inermis.) It is a flowering plant that grows 12-15 feet high and comes from the sole species of the Lawsonia genus. It is believed to be originally come from Egypt which is still one of the main suppliers of the henna plant (along with India, Morocco, and the Sudan). The plant grows best in hot climate of 120^oF (48.8^oC) and contains more dye at this scorching temperature.  It withers in cold when mercury dips below 50^oF (10^oC).   It also grows superior in dry soil than damp soil.  The 

leaves are in opposite decussate pairs and vary in sizes from 2-4 cm. long.  The flowers are aromatic, produced in conical panicles 1040 cm long, each flower 5 mm diameter, with four white petals. The fruit is a dry capsule 68 mm diameter, containing numerous 12.5 mm seeds.

         The henna plant contains lawsone which is a reddish-orange dye that binds to the keratin (a protein) in our skin. The lawsone gradually percolates from the henna paste into the outer dermis of the skin and fasten to the proteins, developing a fast stain. The tinge of colour ranges from pale orange to nearly black depending on 

the quality of henna, duration of paste remains on the palm before wiping it off and nature of  ones skin.   Good quality henna, brand new, freshly prepared and acquired from plants of hot and dry climates; will stain the darkest.