Henna as a temporary form of skin decoration in South Asia, the Southwest Asia, North Africa and the Horn of Africa

Henna is also known as Jamaica Mignonette, Egyptian privet, and smooth Lawsonia. Its Indian name is Mendhi. The dwarf shrub grows 8 to 10 feet in height and have small, white and yellow, heavy, sweet-smelling flowers. Some varieties have fragrant white or rose-red flowers. The leaves are used to make a red-brown dye that has been a popular hair dye for centuries. In India, women use the dye to paint elaborate designs on the skin.