Sanjay BonnerChemistry

Henna

DefinitionHenna is a Persian word, which describes a small

flowering shrub. It is found all over the world, including India, Pakistan, Morocco, Yemen, Iran, Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Egypt and

Bangladesh. However, the variety of henna plant varies from region to region. Different plants have

different coloring properties, the color of the powder also varies. Henna has been used for thousands of

years, for its medicinal properties and cosmetic properties. Apart from this, it is also used for coloring and conditioning the hair and in the form of body art.

HennaHenna powder, in its pure and natural form, is a bright or deep green, khaki or brown. The color produced by

pure natural henna ranges from orange to red, to black cherry and near black color. Contrary to the popular belief, pure black color is not produced by natural henna powder. Talking about its production, henna

powder is made from the leaves of the henna bushes. When manufactured in large quantities, the leaves are taken to the factory and machine grounded. Normally, henna powder is made by blending different types of henna leaves from different parts of a country or from

different countries.

Colors

More Complex Colors

Chemical Makeup•IUPAC Name :4-hydroxynaphthalene-1,2-dione

•CAS Number: 83-72-7

•Chemical Formula: C10H6O3

The Production Once the leaves have been

grounded, the powder is sifted. This is because, if not sifted, the henna powder will contain pieces of the leaves. The finely sifted henna powder contains no leaves, making it best for cosmetic use. Henna powder colors the skin, when the dye is released, as a result of the henna powder being mixed with water or lemon juice and being applied on the skin. Hanna, when applied to the body parts such as hands, arms, legs, near the naval region and at the back, is called mehndi. For a simple mehndi design, it may take about 10 to 15 minutes, but if you want to go for an intricate design, you might need to invest several hours.

Finishing TouchesAfter application of henna, you need to dab it, with a lemon-sugar

solution when it becomes firm on the skin. This is essentially done to preserve the paste. Unlike tattooing and piercing, henna

does not hurt, because it is applied on the surface of the skin with an applicator and not injected into the skin. Traditionally, a cone is used for making the designs. However, mehndi can also be made using a bottle, with a fine silver nozzle tip. People enjoy

the cooling sensation felt after the application of mehndi. This aromatic mixture, apart from conditioning the skin, gives a

natural soothing effect.

The impact it as TodayHenna has, today, become a part of all major

festivals and celebration. Be it, Purim, Eid, Diwali, Karva Chauth, Passover, Nowruz or

Mawlid, it has graced every occasion with its presence. Celebrations like wedding, birth of a

baby and birthdays seem to be incomplete without the ceremony of henna. Brides, in the present time, typically have the most complex patterns of henna, to express their greatest joy

and wishes for luck. With an improved technology being used for its cultivation, henna available today, has an enhanced dye content

and greater artistic potential than earlier.

“My Beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossom in the vineyard of Engedi,”

Song of songs

1:14

HENNA

Bibliography Chemical makeup:

http://www.hennapage.com/henna/encyclopedia/lawsonia/

Pictures: http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&um=1&sa=1&q=henna&btnG=Search+images&aq=f&oq=

History: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henna