Henna, << HEHN uh, >> is an orange-red dye that varies in color with the article on which it is used. It comes from the leaves of a small shrub that grows in Africa, India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. The shrub is also known as Egyptian privet and Jamaica mignonette. The henna plant is also raised for its fragrant blossoms. Women in Asia use henna to color their nails, fingertips, and parts of their feet. It has been used to dye men’s beards, as well as the manes and hoofs of horses. People have also colored wool, silk, and animal skins with henna. The use of henna in body art has spread around the world.
