{{Taxobox
| name = Henna
| image = Lawsonia inermis Ypey36.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''Lawsonia inermis''
| regnum = Plantae
| divisio = Magnoliophyta
| classis = Magnoliopsida
| ordo = Myrtales
| familia = Lythraceae
| genus = ''Lawsonia''
| species = '''''L. inermis'''''
| binomial = ''Lawsonia inermis''
| binomial_authority = L.
}}
'''Henna''' or '''Hina''' (''Lawsonia inermis'', syn. ''L. alba'') is a Lawsonia'' in the family southern Asia, and northern Australasia in semi-arid zones. Henna is a tall shrub or small tree, 2–6 m high.  It is glabrous, multibranched with spine tipped branchlets.  Leaves are opposite, entire, glabrous, sub-sessile, elliptical, and broadly lanceolate (1.5–5.0 cm x 0.5–2 cm), acuminate, having depressed veins on the dorsal surface. 
During the onset of precipitation intervals, the plant grows rapidly; putting out new shoots, then growth slows.  The leaves gradually yellow and fall during prolonged dry or cool intervals. Henna flowers have four sepals and a 2 mm calyx tube with 3 mm spread lobes.  Petals are obvate, white or red stamens inserted in pairs on the rim of the calyx tube.  Ovary is four celled, style up to 5 mm long and erect.  Fruits are small, brownish capsules, 4&ndash;8 mm in diameter, with 32&ndash;49 seeds per fruit, and open irregularly into four splits.<ref> Kumar S., Singh Y. V., & Singh, M. (2005). Agro-History, Uses, Ecology and Distribution of Henna (Lawsonia inermis L. syn. Alba Lam). Henna Cultivation, Improvement and Trade 11- 12. Jodhpur, India: Central Arid Zone Research Institute </ref> Lawsone content in leaves is negatively associated with the number of seeds in the fruits.<ref> Singh, M., Jindal, S. K., &Singh, D. (2005).  Natural Variability, Propagation, Phenology and Reproductive Biology of Henna. Henna, Cultivation, Improvement and Trade: 13–18.  Jodhpur, India: Central Arid Zone Research Institute </ref>

==Cultivation and uses==
thumb|left|250px|Small Henna plant
Henna, ''Lawsonia inermis'', produces a red-orange dye molecule, lawsone. This molecule has an affinity for bonding with protein, and thus has been used to dye skin, hair, fingernails, leather, silk and wool.  Henna's indigenous zone is the tropical savannah and tropical arid zone, in latitudes between 15° and 25° N and S from Africa to the western Pacific rim, and produces highest dye content in temperatures between 35°C and 45°C.  It does not thrive where minimum temperatures are below 11°C.  Temperatures below 5°C will kill the henna plant. The dye molecule, lawsone, is primarily concentrated in the leaves, and is in the highest levels in the petioles of the leaf.  Products sold as "black henna" or "neutral henna" are not made from henna, but may be derived from indigo (in the plant ''Indigofera tinctoria'') or ''Cassia obovata'', and may contain unlisted dyes and chemicals.<ref> Singh, M., Jindal, S. K., Kavia, Z. D., Jangid, B. L., & Khem Chand (2005). Traditional Methods of Cultivation and Processing of Henna. Henna, Cultivation, Improvement and Trade: 21 – 14. Jodhpur, India: Central Arid Zone Research Institute </ref>

Henna is commercially cultivated in western India, Pakistan, Morocco, Yemen, Iran, Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan and Libya. Presently the Pali district of Rajasthan is the most heavily cultivated henna production area in India, with over 100 henna processors operating in Sojat City.  

Though henna has been used for body art and hair dye since the Bronze Age, henna has had a recent renaissance in body art due to improvements in cultivation, processing, and the diasporas of people from traditional henna using regions. <ref> Roy, P. K., Singh, M., & Tewari, P. (2005). Composition of Henna Powder, Quality Parameters and Changing Trends in its Usage. Henna, Cultivation, Improvement and Trade: 39 – 40. Jodhpur, India, Central Arid Zone Research Institute </ref>

The word "henna" comes from the Arabic name for ''Lawsonia inermis'', pronounced // or colloquially //.  

In the Bible's Song of Songs and  Song of Solomon, henna is referred to as Camphire.  
thumb|250px|left|Henna for sale at the [[Spice Bazaar, Istanbul|Egyptian Bazaar in Istanbul]]

In the Indian subcontinent, there are many variant words such as Mehndi in North India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. In Telugu (India, Malaysia, USA), it is known as '''Gorintaaku'''. In Tamil (South India, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka) it is called "Marudhaani" and is used as ground fresh leaves rather than as dried powder.  It is used in various festivals and celebrations and used by women and children. It is left on overnight and will last one month or more depending on the plant and how well it was ground and how long it is left on. 

Henna has many traditional and commercial uses, the most common being as a dye for hair, skin and fingernails, as a dye and preservative for leather and cloth, and as an anti-fungal. Henna flowers have been used to create perfume since ancient times, and henna perfume is experiencing a resurgence on the Internet.<ref> Bosoglu A., Birdane F., and Solmaz H., 1998 
The Effect of Henna (Folium Lawsonia) Paste in Ringworm in Calves
Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkiye
Indian Veterinary Journal 75, January </ref> Henna was used as a hair dye in Indian court records around 400 CE,<ref> Auboyer, J. (1965). Daily Life in Ancient India from 200 BC to 700 AD.  London: Phoenix Press.</ref> in Rome during the Roman Empire, and in Spain during Convivienca.<ref> Fletcher R., 1992 Moorish Spain Henry Holt and Company, New York </ref> It was listed in the medical texts of the Ebers Papyrus (16th c BCE Egypt)<ref> Bryan, C. Ancient Egyptian Medicine: The Papyrus Ebers Ares Publishers Inc First published London 1930 Chicago 1974 </ref> and by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya (14th c CE (Syria and Egypt) as a medicinal herb.<ref>  Al-Jawziyya, I. Q. translation by Johnstone, P. (1998). Medicine of the Prophet. Cambridge, UK: The Islamic Texts Society </ref> In Morocco, wool is dyed and ornamented with henna, as are drumheads and other leather goods. Henna will repel some insect pests and mildew. 

The United States Food and Drug Administration has not approved henna for direct application to the skin. It is unconditionally approved as a hair dye, and can only be imported for that purpose.<ref></ref> Henna imported into the USA which appears to be for use as body art is subject to seizure, and at present it is illegal to use henna for body art in the U.S.,<ref></ref> though prosecution is rare. The fast black stains of “black henna” are not made with henna, but are from ''p''-phenylenediamine.  This can cause severe allergic reactions and permanent scarring.  No henna can make a black stain on a torso in ½ hour.  ''P''-phenylenediamine can stain skin black quickly, but the FDA specifically forbids PPD to be used for that purpose.

==Preparation and application of paste==
thumb|200px|Henna powder
Henna body art is made by applying henna paste to the skin: the lawsone in the paste migrates into the outermost layer of the skin and makes a red-brown stain.

Whole, unbroken henna leaves will not stain the skin. Henna will not stain skin until the lawsone molecules are made available (released) from the henna leaf. Fresh henna leaves will stain the skin if they are smashed with a mildly acidic liquid. This will stain skin within moments, but it is difficult to form intricate patterns from coarse crushed leaves. Dried ground, sifted henna leaves are easily worked into a paste that can be used to make intricate body art. Commercially available henna powder is made by drying the henna leaves and milling them to powder, then the powder is sifted. This powder is mixed with lemon juice, strong tea, or other mildly acidic liquids. Essential oils with high levels of "terps", monoterpene alcohols such as tea tree, eucalyptus, cajeput, or lavender will improve skin stain characteristics. The henna mix must rest for 6 to 12 hours so the leaf cellulose is dissolved, making the lawsone available to stain the skin. This is mixed to a toothpaste consistency and applied with a one of many traditional tools, including resist techniques, shading techniques, and thicker paste techniques, or the modern cellowrap cone.

Once applied to the skin, lawsone molecules gradually migrate from the henna paste into the outer layer of the skin. Though henna's lawsone will stain the skin within minutes, the longer the paste is left on the skin, the more lawsone will migrate. Henna paste will yield as much dye as the skin can easily absorb in less than eight hours.  Henna tends to crack and fall off the skin during these hours, so it is often sealed down by dabbing a sugar/lemon mix over the dried paste, or simply adding some form of sugar to the paste. This also adds to the colour of the end result, increasing the intensity of the shade.

When the paste has fallen off the skin or been removed by scraping, the stain will be orange, but should darken over the following three days to a reddish brown. Soles and palms have the thickest layer of skin and so take up the most lawsone, and take it to the greatest depth, so that hands and feet will have the darkest and most long-lasting stains.  Steaming or warming the henna pattern will darken the stain, either during the time the paste is still on the skin, or after the paste has been removed. Chlorinated water and soaps may spoil the darkening process: alkaline may hasten the darkening process. After the stain reaches its peak color it will appear to fade. The henna stain is not actually fading, the skin is exfoliating: the lower, less stained cells, rise to the surface, until all stained cells are shed.

==Traditions of henna as body art==
thumb|250px|Mehndi on a hand
thumb|250px|An intricate [[Mehandi pattern]]
The different words for henna in ancient languages imply that henna had more than one point of discovery and origin, and different pathways of daily and ceremonial use.

Henna has been used to adorn young women’s bodies as part of social and holiday celebrations since the late Bronze Age in the eastern Mediterranean.  The earliest text mentioning henna in the context of marriage and fertility celebrations comes from the Ugaritic legend of Baal and Anath <ref>De Moor, Johannes C.  (1971). The Seasonal Pattern in the Ugaritic Myth of Ba’lu According to the Version of Ilimilku. Neukirchen – Vluyn, Germany: Verlag Butzon & Berker Kevelaer</ref>, which has references to women marking themselves with henna in preparation to meet their husbands, and Anath adorning herself with henna to celebrate a victory over the enemies of Baal.  Wall paintings excavated at Akrotiri (dating prior to the eruption of Thera in 1680 BCE) show women with markings consistent with henna on their nails, palms and soles, in a tableau consistent with the henna bridal description from Ugarit <ref>Doumas, C. (1992). The Wall-Paintings of Thera. Athens, Greece: The Thera Foundation.</ref> Many statuettes of young women dating between 1500 and 500 BCE along the Mediterranean coastline have raised hands with markings consistent with henna.  This early connection between young, fertile women and henna seems to be the origin of the Night of the Henna, which is now celebrated world-wide.

The Night of the Henna was celebrated by most groups in the areas where henna grew naturally: Jews, <ref name="brauer">Brauer, E. (1993). The Jews of Kurdistan. Detroit, Michigan: Wayne State University Press </ref>, Muslims<ref name="westermarck"> Westermarck, E. (1914).  Marriage Ceremonies in Morocco. London, UK: Macmillan and Company, Limited </ref>, Hindus, Christians and Zoroastrians, among others, all celebrated marriages by adorning the bride, and often the groom, with henna.  

Across the henna-growing region, Purim <ref name="brauer">Brauer, E. (1993). The Jews of Kurdistan. Detroit, Michigan: Wayne State University Press </ref>, Eid<ref>Hammoudi, A. (1993). The Victim and Its Masks, an Essay on Sacrifice and Masquerade in the Maghrib. Chicago, IL:  The University of Chicago Press</ref>, Diwali<ref>Saksena, J. (1979). Art of Rajasthan, Henna and Floor Decorations. Delhi, India: Sundeep Prakashan</ref>, Karva Chauth, Passover, Nawruwz, Mawlid, and most saints’ days were celebrated with some henna.  Favorite horses, donkeys, and salukis had their hooves, paws, and tails hennaed. Battle victories, births, circumcision, birthdays, Zar, as well as weddings, usually included some henna as part of the celebration. When there was joy, there was henna, as long as henna was available. <ref>
Westermarck, E. (1926). Ritual and Belief in Morocco Vols 1 & 2. London, UK: Macmillan and Company, Limited </ref>

Henna was regarded as having “Barakah”, blessings, and was applied for luck as well as joy and beauty.<ref name="westermarck">
Westermarck, E. (1926). Ritual and Belief in Morocco Vols 1 & 2. London, UK: Macmillan and Company, Limited </ref>  Brides typically had the most henna, and the most complex patterns, to support their greatest joy, and wishes for luck.  Some bridal traditions were very complex, such as those in Yemen, where the Jewish bridal henna process took four or five days to complete, with multiple applications and resist work.  

The fashion of "Bridal Mehndi" in Northern Libya and in North Indian diasporas is currently growing in complexity and elaboration, with new innovations in glitter, gilding, and fine-line work.  Recent technological innovations in grinding, sifting, temperature control, and packaging henna, as well as government encouragement for henna cultivation, have improved dye content and artistic potential for henna.  

<!-- Für Informationen zum Umgang mit dieser Tabelle siehe bitte Wikipedia:Taxoboxen. -->
{{Taxobox
| Taxon_Name       = Hennastrauch
| Taxon_WissName   = Lawsonia inermis
| Taxon_Rang       = Art
| Taxon_Autor      = L.
| Taxon2_WissName  = Lawsonia
| Taxon2_Autor     = L.
| Taxon2_Rang      = Gattung
| Taxon3_Name      = Weiderichgewächse
| Taxon3_WissName  = Lythraceae
| Taxon3_Rang      = Familie
| Taxon4_Name      = Myrtenartige
| Taxon4_WissName  = Myrtales
| Taxon4_Rang      = Ordnung
| Taxon5_Name      = Dreifurchenpollen-<br />Zweikeimblättrige
| Taxon5_LinkName  = Dreifurchenpollen-Zweikeimblättrige
| Taxon5_WissName  = Rosopsida
| Taxon5_Rang      = Klasse
| Taxon6_Name      = Rosenähnliche
| Taxon6_WissName  = Rosidae
| Taxon6_Rang      = Unterklasse
| Bild             = Lawsonia inermis Blanco1.108.png
| Bildbeschreibung = Hennastrauch (''Lawsonia inermis''), Illustration
}}

Der '''Hennastrauch''' (''Lawsonia inermis'', Syn.: ''Lawsonia alba'' (L.) Lam., ''Lawsonia spinosa'' L.), auf  türkisch Kina genannt, ist die einzige Pflanzenart der Linnés Systema Naturae zu finanzieren.

Der Hennastrauch ist ziemlich vielgestaltig und relativ stark variabel. <ref>Annette Korolnik-Andersch, Marcel Korolnik: ''Die Farbe Henna.''  Arnoldsche Art Books. 2002. S. 60. ISBN 3-89790-178-1</ref> 

== Pflanzenbeschreibung ==
=== Habitus und Blätter ===
thumb|Bild eines Hennastrauches in einem Garten in Gambia.
thumb|Junge Zweige.
Es ist ein duftender, laubabwerfender lat.: ''inermis''). Die dünne Rinde hat eine weißliche bis gräulich-braune Farbe.

Die kurz gestielten Blätter sitzen gegenständig an den Zweigen angeordnet. Die glatten, ganzrandigen, eiförmigen bis elliptischen, silbrig-grünen, ledrigen Laubblätter sind an beiden Enden zugespitzt, 8 bis 44 mm lang und 2 bis 20 mm breit. Nebenblätter fehlen.

=== Blütenstände, Blüten und Früchte ===
Die Hauptblütezeit des Hennastrauch reicht von Oktober bis November, er kann aber die meiste Zeit des Jahres blühen. In endständigen, großen, sympodial verzweigten, 3 bis 22 cm lang ripigen Stempel endet in einer kopfigen Narbe.

Die kugelförmigen, etwa erbsengroßen Kapselfrüchte haben eine purpurschwarze bis blauschwarze Farbe und weisen einen Durchmesser von meist 4 bis 8 (3 bis 9) mm auf. Sie enthalten zahlreiche pyramidale, weiche Samen.
<ref>[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=200014655 Beschreibung in der Flora of Pakistan.] (engl.) </ref>

== Kultur ==
Es ist unklar, wo der Hennastrauch sein natürliches Vorkommen hat. Er wächst aber nur in warmen Zonen oder wenn Wärme zugeführt wird. Der Boden sollte trocken bis leicht feucht oder mit guter Drainage ausgestattet sein. Der Hennastrauch benötigt viel Licht. Er kann sowohl mit Samen oder Stecklingen vermehrt werden. Der Hennastrauch ist Schädlingen gegenüber resistent.

Hennasträucher findet man außerhalb der Oasenplantagen in vielen Innenhöfen, wo sie vor allem wegen der Blüten, die einen betörenden Duft verströmen, gezogen werden<ref>Olga und Octavia Engelhardt: ''[http://www.henna-und-mehr.de/de/hennapfl.html Der Hennastrauch.]'', gelesen am 23.07.2006</ref>. Der Duft der Blüten wird seit Jahrtausenden im Orient geschätzt und in Parfums verwendet ("Mohammeds liebster Duft")<ref>Kirsten Albrecht Llamas: ''Tropical Flowering Plants: A Guide to Identification and Cultivation.'' Timber-Press, 2003. ISBN 0-88192-585-3. S. 249.</ref><ref>N. P. Manandhar: ''Plants and People of Nepal.'' Timber Press, 2002. ISBN 0-88192-527-6. S. 286.</ref><ref>S. C. Dey: ''Fragrant Flowers for Homes and Gardens, Trade and Industry.'' Abhinav Publications, 1997. ISBN 8170173353. S. 15.</ref>.
== Nutzung ==
Angebaut wird Henna in Nord- und Ostafrika sowie in weiten Teilen Asiens. Aus den Blättern des Strauches wird Hennapulver hergestellt, das nur in den westlichen Industrienationen hauptsächlich zur Färbung der Haare benutzt wird. Weniger bekannt ist die Tatsache, dass in der ganzen islamischen Welt Henna hauptsächlich zum Färben der Hände und Fußsohlen verwendet wird <ref>Olga Engelhardt: ''[http://www.henna-und-mehr.de/hennas.html Henna, nicht nur ein Kosmetikum.]'', hier eingefügt am 20.05.2007</ref>. Die naturheilkundliche Anwendung der Pflanze gegen Infektionen und die Schlafkrankheit wurde bis jetzt in klinisch-kontrollierten  zweifelsfreien Tests am Menschen nicht überprüft. In mikrobiologischen Untersuchungen zeigte sich eine keimhemmende Wirksamkeit.
 
=== Henna ===
Seit Stars wie Madonna es in den späten 1990er Jahren in Mode brachten, wird es auch zum Einfärben der Oberhaut verwendet, um sogenannte Henna-Tattoos zu erzeugen. Die zu kosmetischen und rituellen Zwecken aufgebrachten Bemalungen mit Henna sind schon seit dem Vorderen Orient und Nordafrika wird Henna auch heute noch bei Festtagen und Festlichkeiten wie Hochzeit und Beschneidung zu filigranen Körperverzierungen an Händen und Füßen benutzt (siehe Mehndi). Man kann auch keratinhaltige Stoffe wie Wolle oder Seide damit einfärben.

=== Gewinnung von Henna ===
thumb|left|180px|Hennapulver
Henna wird aus den getrockneten und zerriebenen bzw. zermahlenen Blättern des Hennastrauches (''Lawsonia inermis'') gewonnen. Geerntet werden sie, indem sie von den Zweigen abgestreift werden. Um den in den Blättern enthaltenen roten Farbstoff nützen zu können, müssen sie an einem dunklen schattigen Ort getrocknet (Sonnenlicht zerstört den Farbstoff)<ref>Aline Tauzin, "Le henné art des femmes de Mauritanie" Paris 1998, S.14</ref> und zu Pulver vermahlen werden.

=== Henna-Farben ===
Je nach Qualität des Hennapulvers sowie Art und Weise der Anwendung variiert der Farbton, der auf Haut und Haar erzielt werden kann, zwischen hellem Orange und dunklem Mahagonirotbraun. 

Allerdings werden unter dem Begriff „Henna“ sehr oft Mischungen mit anderen farbgebenden Pflanzenbestandteilen angeboten, die blond, braun oder schwarz färben sollen, allerdings ist darin häufig kaum Henna enthalten. Da Henna hier in Deutschland als ein Haarfärbemittel gilt, darf und werden vielen auf dem Markt befindlichen Hennaprodukten entweder allergieauslösende Wirkung der Produkte verantwortlich. Der Hennafarbstoff PPD (Phenylendiamin) enthalten, die schwere allergische Reaktionen auslösen und zu irreparablen Hautschäden führen kann.<ref>Björn M.Hausen, Martin Kaatz; Uta Jappe; Ulrike Stephan; Gunthram Heidbreder: ''[http://www.aerzteblatt.de/v4/archiv/artikel.asp?id=27955 Henna/p-Phenylendiamin-Kontaktallergie: Folgenschwere Dermatosen nach Henna-Tätowierungen]''. In: Deutsches Ärzteblatt 98, Ausgabe 27 vom 6. Juli 2001, Seite A-1822 / B-1564 / C-1449</ref>

=== Anwendung von Henna ===
thumb|Handinnenfläche mit Hennabemalung aus Hudaida/ Jemen