Wendy's Henna Arts

Henna:
Lawsonia Inermis, a small tree or large bush in the Lytharacae family. Leaves are opposite, subsessile, elliptic or broadly lanceolate, entire, acute or obtuse,2-3 cm long and 1-2 cm wide. Flowers are numerous, small, white, yellow, or rose coloured, fragrant. The leaves contain soluble matter, lawsone, 2-hydroxy-1:4-naphthoquinone resin and tannin, gallic acid, glucose, mannitol, fat, resin and mucilage are also present. The colouring matter is the quinone. Henna has been used to stain and condition skin, hair and fingernails for 9000 years and across 60 countries. Growth and use range is from the Atlantic coast of Africa to Malaysia, has been grown as far north as Spain, and to southern India. Henna is not frost tolerant, and does not thrive below 60F or 11 C. Henna will tolerate extended droughts, arid conditions and daytime temperatures to 125F or 45C. Allergic reaction is rare. In the "Ames' Test" for carcinogenicity, no mutagenic activity is observed for henna. Some tests of alcoholic extract of the leaves showed henna may have mild anti- bacterial activity against Staph aureus and E. Some antibacterial and antifungal activities have been confirmed. (In layman's terms, henna is very safe and is unlikely to cause any one harm, and may do some good)