Title: Henna
Literature References: Dried powdered leaves of Lawsonia alba Lam., L. inermis L., and L. spinosa L., Lythraceae. Obtained from North Africa or India. Contains about 1% of lawsone, q.v. Ref: Cox, Analyst 63, 397 (1938); Talaat, Br. Med. J. II, 944 (1960).
Use: For dyeing hair and nails auburn to red, in the Orient together with "reng," the dried, powdered leaves of the indigo plant, in order to produce darker and even bluish-black shades. For relatively permanent dyeing the pH must be about 5.5; this is achieved by the addition of citric, boric, or adipic acid. Ingredient of many commercial hair rinses. |