Lawsonia inermis - Henna is a shrub native to North Africa, West and South Asia and northern Australasia.  It thrives in regions with temperatures between 35-45 degrees Celsius and it is in these parts of the semi-arid and tropical world that henna leaves produce the most dye.

Henna has been used for over 6000 years to give copper reds and reddish browns to hair, skin, textiles, and leather.  The active colouring component in henna is lawsone which is released when dried leaves are ground and a mild acid (lemon juice or vinegar) is added.  The dye easily bonds with the proteins in hair and skin.  With the addition of mordants, henna will also dye cellulose fibres.

Maiwa's mehndi dyes are 100% natural and certified organic.

See our full Hair Dye & Mehndi Instruction Sheet.