Henna comes from the henna tree, scientifically known as Lawsonia inermis , which grows as a shrub or small tree between 2 to 8 meters tall. This plant is native to and commonly found across regions in Africa, West Asia, the Middle East, and South Asia, including countries like Egypt, India, Pakistan, Iran, and Morocco
. The henna tree thrives in hot climates and can grow in diverse environments such as tropical and subtropical forests, deserts, and grasslands. Its leaves are the source of the henna dye; they are dried, crushed into a fine powder, and mixed with liquids to create a paste used for body art, hair dye, and fabric coloring
. Historically, henna has been used for thousands of years, with evidence of its use dating back to ancient Egypt, Babylonia, and the Indian subcontinent. It was applied for cosmetic, medicinal, and ceremonial purposes, including staining the skin in the art of mehndi, dyeing hair and nails, and even embalming mummies
. In summary, henna originates from the Lawsonia inermis plant, which grows naturally in hot, arid regions of Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, and has been cultivated and used across these regions for millennia
